No. 421-A阿彌陀經句解序
Preface to the Commentary on the Amitabha Sutra
夫同生五濁，念佛勤求出離，苟非解法逗根，何以頓釋疑情而獲大受用？(余)寓德藏琅函閣，適正宗上人出，元稟天台妙觀越溪澄師句解佛說阿彌陀經一袠，集緣梓行，遂一披閱，開卷了然。雖云至簡至易，即此可以融通至奧至深。昔清涼判華嚴為極談，天台標法華最無上，然二經皆以淨土終焉。至永明延壽禪師嗣法眼之宗，著宗鏡錄一百卷，研窮禪髓，復立四料簡，懇懇以淨土為歸。因斯流通，快覩廬山遠公蓮灟遍注寰區，如曰徹法遡源，詳具智者大師玄義等諸詮。正宗始自太虗師開發，以清象先為兄，又參依妙峯法師有年，波瀾授受，的非孟浪。雖然，解誠妙矣，傳更廣矣。惟願導之者忍耐洞達，既不失之縱習氣以動正念，又不失之蓄纖疑以茁業根，轉娑婆而為極樂，特在伸臂間爾。頃因問序，直以忠讜諗之云。
While living together in the five turbidities, diligently practicing mindfulness of the Buddha in search of liberation, if one does not understand the teachings and match the aptitudes, how can one instantly dissolve doubts and doubts and attain great benefit? (I) once stayed at the Pavilion of the Hidden Scriptures in Dechang. Just then, the venerable Master Zhengzong came forth. Originally, he had received the profound Contemplation of Tiantai from Master Yuexi Cheng’s commentary on the *Buddha’s Explanation of the Amitabha Sutra*. He collected the materials and printed them. I then read it through, and from the very opening, it was clear. Although it is said to be extremely simple and easy, it is precisely through this that one can penetrate the most profound and abstruse truths. In the past, Master Qingliang declared the *Avatamsaka Sutra* to be the ultimate discourse, and Tiantai designated the *Lotus Sutra* as the most supreme. Yet both sutras conclude with the Pure Land. Later, Chan Master Yongming Yanshou, inheriting the lineage of the Fayan school, wrote the *Record of the Source Mirror* in one hundred fascicles, thoroughly examining the essence of Chan. He also established the Four Selections, earnestly guiding beings to take refuge in the Pure Land. As a result of this circulation, I was delighted to see that the lotus lineage of Master Lushan Huiyuan had pervaded the entire world. It is said that to thoroughly trace the Dharma to its source, one must consult the profound commentaries of Master Zhizhe, such as the *Profound Meaning* and others. Master Zhengzong began his development under Master Taixu, with Qing Xiangxian as his elder brother. He also relied on Master Miaofeng for many years, receiving the transmission of the tradition. This is by no means reckless. Nevertheless, the explanation is indeed wonderful, and its transmission is even broader. My only wish is that those who guide others will be patient and perfectly penetrating, neither indulging in habitual tendencies that disturb right mindfulness, nor harboring subtle doubts that grow the roots of karma. To transform the Saha world into the Ultimate Bliss is accomplished in but a moment. Just now, when asked for a foreword, I directly offered this sincere and admonishing response.
萬曆甲申圓通成道日方道成熏沐百拜譔
On the day of Yuan Tong’s enlightenment, in the year Wanli Jiashen, Fang Daocheng, having bathed and burned incense, prostrated himself a hundred times in humble composition.