Preface: Although this sutra belongs to the Vaipulya category and is not comparable to the supreme teaching of the Ghee, it is widely upheld and practiced, matching the popularity of the Lotus Sutra. However, since the Sanskrit manuscripts arrived in the East, they underwent translations across various dynasties, resulting in five distinct versions and a sixth combined edition. The version circulating today is the translation by Master Dharmakṣema of the Northern Liang dynasty, which is the oldest extant version, yet it is separately transmitted outside the main canon. Earlier scholars, unaware of the differences in classification, often conflated it with other versions or altered it to match Dharmakṣema's translation. Moreover, through repeated copying, errors and discrepancies arose, leading to variations in printed editions across regions. Some versions contain omissions or lengthy passages, while others exhibit inconsistencies in wording and characters. As the original text became impure, it became difficult to determine what to adopt or discard, often leaving readers confused and lost.

I have now carefully examined the historical catalogs of translated scriptures, first clarifying the sequence and structure of the various editions, then explaining the Tiantai school's interpretation of the sutra—its five divisions, three parts, and the progression of its chapters. Subsequently, I compared the combined edition in the Dragon Treasury with the separately transmitted versions in circulation. Using the Tiantai commentaries as a guide and supplementing them with annotations from other schools, I have corrected all discrepancies and errors, added punctuation, and clarified ambiguous passages and details. I have also integrated contemplative practices and insights to help everyone uncover the inherent treasury of great radiance, thereby avoiding the criticism of merely counting treasures like a pauper.

Having completed these ten sections, I have compiled them into two volumes, titling the work *The Illuminating Explanation of the Golden Light Sutra*. Alas! How can the faint glow of a torch compare to the brilliance of the sun and moon? Yet, as the great teaching shines brightly, even the smallest light must illuminate. Thus, my humble intentions cannot remain hidden.

In the year Gengxu of the Shaoxi era of the Great Song Dynasty, on the auspicious day of Jilüchang, the monk Zongxiao respectfully composed this preface.