No. 250-B圓覺疏鈔隨文要解(并序)
No. 250-B (Supplement) – Essential Explanation of the Commentary on the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, with Preface
沙門凊遠 述
Written by the Monk Qingyuan
夫圓覺修多羅了義經者，如來入寂光土，現受用身，為諸登真大士、上根凡夫，一乘圓頓之機，稱性而說，詮露地、大白牛車、無化城、除糞等喻，五時難攝，圓頓可收，苟非大士之闡揚，孰契此經之宗旨？有唐開士圭峰定慧禪師，疏鈔斯經，弘傳今古。凊遠猥因宿植，獲遇斯文，學無常師，歷諸名席，服膺諮質，覃思研精，雖僅免於亡羊，終未逃於數寶。既登先稟圓觀之門(師諱如寶)，遂契以芥投鍼之旨，圓悟如來無上知見，顛沛造次履踐，於是念念與此相應，行住坐臥，活鱍鱍底，受用無盡。忝於師席，貳座兼人，凡滯說通，蒙師亭毒，適允毗陵之命，承乏華嚴，應緣掃灑之餘，為徒敷演，皆此因。退席待盡，林泉衲子，二三相從，辦道禪誦之外，復闡斯文。於是隨文摭要，直解疑難，備學者之討論，助斯文之流演，遂詺之曰圓覺疏鈔隨文要解，逾十九萬言，成一十二卷。詎敢當於達者，姑以被於初機，有所不安，固難折中，冀諸來學，為我正諸。然纖塵培於華嶽，滴流足(子句切)於滄溟，徒設疲勞，無增高廣，知我罪我，其惟斯乎？
The Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment, a complete and definitive teaching, was spoken by the Tathagata while abiding in the Land of Tranquil Light, manifesting the Reward Body. He taught it for the sake of those who have attained truth—great beings—and for ordinary people of superior capacity, all beings suited to the One Vehicle's complete and sudden approach. He spoke according to their nature, using metaphors such as the open ground, the great white ox-cart, the absence of a phantom city, and the removal of excrement. This teaching cannot be fully encompassed by the five periods of the Buddha's teachings; it is solely a complete and sudden teaching. Without the propagation and explanation by great beings, who could fathom the essential meaning of this Sutra?
During the Tang dynasty, the venerable Master Guifeng, the Chan Master Dinghui, wrote a commentary and sub-commentary on this Sutra, transmitting it widely through the ages, from past to present. Due to my accumulated past karma, I, Qingyuan, was fortunate enough to encounter this text. My study was not confined to a single teacher; I attended many renowned lectures, humbly seeking guidance, pondering deeply, and refining my understanding. Though I barely avoided the path of those who lose the way, I still ended up like one counting others' treasures without possessing any myself.
Having entered the gate of the Perfect Contemplation lineage taught by my first teacher, Honorable Ruji, I then realized the principle of "piercing a mustard seed with a needle." I awakened to the Tathagata's supreme knowledge and vision. In every situation, whether in haste or at ease, I have been mindfully treading this path. In walking, standing, sitting, and lying down, its vitality is ever-present, providing endless benefit. Unworthily, I have held the seat of teacher and instructed others. All those whose understanding was stuck and those in need of elucidation were nurtured by the master's kindness. When I was assigned to take charge of the Huayan Monastery in Piling, I taught this teaching to my disciples in the spare time from my duties, sweeping and cleaning—all due to the causes from this Sutra.
Withdrawing from public life to await the end, I spent time in forests and springs with a few monks, engaging in meditation and recitation. Besides these practices, I also expounded on this Sutra. Therefore, I followed the text, selecting key points, and directly explained the difficult passages. This was done to provide material for scholars' discussions and to assist in the widespread transmission of this text. I named this work *Yuanjue Shuchao Suiwen Yaojie* (Essential Explanations of the Commentary and Sub-commentary on the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment). It runs to over 190,000 words, in twelve volumes. How dare I present this to enlightened masters? It is merely meant to aid beginners. Where there are places of uncertainty, it is difficult to claim authority. I hope future scholars will correct my errors.
Yet, adding a single speck of dust to the peak of Mount Hua, or adding a single drop to the great ocean—such efforts are futile. They cannot increase the mountain's height or the ocean's breadth. Whether people understand me or criticize me, it will be due to this work.
旹皇宋嘉定六年龍集癸酉杓建鶉火望日謹序。No. 250
Summer Solstice Day, in the Year of the Rooster (1293), Song Dynasty. A respectful preface.
圓覺疏鈔隨文要解卷第一
The Essential Explanation of the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment: Commentary and Excerpts, Volume 1
沙門凊遠 述
Written by the Monk Qingyuan