No. 753-A刻十地義記序
Preface to the Commentary on the Meaning of the Ten Grounds
十地經者。為舍那成道㝡初所說。實稱性之極談。非逐機之權說也。佛滅度後。有天親菩薩。製之論釋。發揮其旨。勒那留支兩三藏譯梵為華。以傳於世焉。然其經也。旨高而理遠。其論也。文奧而義邃。固非淺薄之士所敢窺測。故學者多望崖而退。隋有淨影遠法師者。學究三藏。識高一時。講演此論。遂為之解。名曰義記。其釋文析義。精緻明暢。莫以加焉。使讀者始覺此論之不為難解也。宜矣賢首清涼多為資焉。夫如是。則此記之有大造于後學。豈俟吾輩論乎。餘久有意於校訂以布世焉。獨奈屬奉 台命。歷住四剎。法務鞅掌。不果素志。今也老矣。風燈之命。朝不圖夕。遂乃囑典壽。令校以梓之。所恨此書多歷年所。殆失其半。後人若獲全本。刻而續之。則幸矣。
The Sutra of the Ten Grounds was first taught by Vairocana upon attaining enlightenment. It is the ultimate discourse on the true nature of reality, not a provisional teaching tailored to specific capacities. After the Buddha's passing, the Bodhisattva Vasubandhu composed a commentary to elucidate its profound meaning. The Tripitaka masters Ratnamati and Bodhiruci translated it from Sanskrit into Chinese, thus transmitting it to the world.
Yet this sutra is lofty in intent and profound in principle, while its commentary is deep in language and subtle in meaning. It is certainly not something that those of shallow understanding dare to approach. Thus, many students, upon encountering its depth, retreat in awe.
During the Sui dynasty, there was Master Huiyuan of Jingying Temple, whose learning encompassed the entire Tripitaka and whose insight surpassed his time. When lecturing on this commentary, he composed an explanation called the "Meaning Commentary." His analysis of the text and exposition of its principles are exquisitely detailed, clear, and fluent—unsurpassed in quality. It enables readers to finally feel that this commentary is not so difficult to understand after all. It is fitting that masters such as Xianshou and Qingliang often relied upon it.
Thus, the immense benefit this commentary has brought to later students surely needs no further praise from us. I have long intended to revise and publish it for the world, but I was repeatedly entrusted by the imperial court to reside in four different monasteries. With monastic duties overwhelming me, I could not fulfill this long-held aspiration.
Now I am old. My life is like a lamp in the wind—I cannot plan for tomorrow. Therefore, I have entrusted the task of collating and printing it to Dianshou. My regret is that this book, having passed through many years, has lost nearly half its content. If later generations can obtain a complete version and engrave it to continue this work, it would be a great fortune.
寬政二秊歲次庚戌春二月前住增上教寺大僧正隆善撰
In the spring of the second year of the Kuan-cheng reign, during the year of the Metal Dog, the former head of Zengshang Teaching Temple, the Great Monk and Chief of Monks, Longshan, composed this text.