釋籤緣起序 祿一
Preface to the Origin of the Commentary
君山除饉男普門子屬辭
"Junshan Chujin Nan Pumenzi's Writing"
四教成列開合之旨蘊乎其中十子既往幽贊之功在人方絕惟三轉遂周一乘載導經文顯而約玄記愽而深後進難窺蒙求尚壅不遠而復存乎其時我哲匠湛然公當之矣公孩提秀發志學名成淵解得於自心博贍振於先達無適不可以虛受人洎毘壇以至于國清其從如雲矣間者島夷作難海山不寧徇法之多仄身巖宇或謂身危法喪莫如奉法全身僶俛遂行暴露原野是樂法者請益恱隨且法實無邊身則有待弘敷未暇籤訪有憑因籤以釋思逸功倍美哉洋洋乎登門者肯綮未嘗望涯者恥躬不逮乘是以訓文其可廢耶先德既詳雖大科不舉諸生未達在小疑必䟽凡十卷不忘於本以天台命家善繼其宗以釋籤順學信所謂觀象得意俾昏作明永代不朽者也普早嵗在塵後時從道徒欲擊其大節獨不愧於心乎。
The four teachings are arranged in sequence, opening and closing their meanings are contained within. The ten disciples have passed on, and their subtle contributions to guidance remain among people. Only after the three turnings of the wheel was the one vehicle fully taught. The sutra text is clear yet concise, while the commentary is broad and deep. Later students find it difficult to grasp, and beginners are still blocked. Not far to return, its time has come—my wise teacher Master Zhanran fulfilled it.
As a child he showed brilliant promise, and by the age of learning he had achieved renown. His profound understanding arose from his own mind, and his vast erudition surpassed the elders. He had no fixed position and could receive others with humility. From Vaitarani to Guoqing, his followers gathered like clouds.
In between, barbarian invaders caused trouble, and the seas and mountains were unsettled. Those devoted to the Dharma often hid in mountain retreats. Some said that when one's life is endangered, the Dharma is lost, so better to protect life than the Dharma. He reluctantly went along, exposed to the wilderness. Those who loved the Dharma asked for guidance and joyfully followed.
The Dharma is truly without limits, but the body has its limitations. There was no time to teach extensively, yet notes could be relied upon. Through these notes, his interpretations soared with half the effort and double the result. How magnificent, how vast! Those who entered the gate never faced obstacles, and those who gazed from afar were ashamed they could not reach it. Based on this, he taught the text—how could it be abandoned?
The worthy masters of old were already detailed, though the great categories were not raised. The students had not yet understood, and minor doubts needed resolution. Thus, in ten volumes, he did not forget the root, using Tiantai as his family tradition, continuing its lineage, and using the commentary to guide learning. Truly, this is what is meant by observing the images and grasping the meaning, turning darkness into light, immortal through the ages.
I, though ordinary, once had worldly dust on me, and later followed the path. I merely wish to grasp its great outline—how could I not feel ashamed in my heart?
天王越在陝郛之明年甲辰嵗紀月貞于相
In the year of the Wood Dragon, when the heavenly king crossed the eastern frontier, he took up residence in the city of Shan.