English
English version: Received. In order for those with mature roots to quickly understand the Dharma, it is necessary to first understand the categories of teachings. Next, explain the name of the scripture. Now, ‘Buddha-bhāṣita-rājān शासन-देश-परम-प्रज्ञा-पारमिता’ (The Prajnaparamita Spoken by the Buddha for Humane Kings Who Wish to Protect Their States), is actually another name for a certain scripture. All scriptures begin by stating their name in order to seek the Dharma that is to be elucidated. This scripture takes true nature as its principle, so it is mentioned at the beginning. However, the naming methods of each scripture are different, and there are many kinds. Some are named after the Dharma, such as the ‘Nirvana Sutra’ and the ‘Prajna Sutra’; some are named after people, such as the ‘Samghata Sutra’ and the ‘Sudana Sutra’; some are named after events, such as the ‘Koshiki Sutra’; some are named after metaphors or obstacles, such as the ‘Mahamegha Sutra’ and the ‘Ratnakuta Sutra’; some combine people, Dharma, and obstacles, such as the ‘Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra’; some jointly mention events and Dharma, such as the ‘Vaipulya Mahasamghata Sutra’; some only mention Dharma and metaphors, such as the ‘Avataṃsaka Sūtra’; some combine people and events, such as the ‘Śāriputra-pṛcchā Sūtra’. There are countless such examples. Now, this scripture is named after people and Dharma. ‘Spoken by the Tathagata’ is the name of the person; ‘Prajnaparamita’ is the name of the Dharma. The Dharma must be propagated through people, so people and Dharma must be mentioned first. This is what must be mentioned first. However, the beginnings of each scripture differ in four ways regarding people: one is to mention the speaker, such as the ‘Śrīmālādevī Siṃhanāda Sūtra’; two is to mention the questioner, such as the ‘Maitreya-paripṛcchā Sūtra’; three is to mention what is spoken, such as the ‘Śyāma Jātaka Sūtra’ and the ‘Sarvadatta Sūtra’; four is to mention the person being transformed, such as the ‘Ratnolka Sūtra’ and the ‘Sumatidārikā Sūtra’. Now, it is mentioning the person who speaks. The speakers are different, there are five kinds: one is spoken by the Buddha, two is spoken by the holy disciples, three is spoken by the devas, four is spoken by the immortals, and five is spoken by transformations. This scripture is spoken by the holy disciples of the Tathagata. Completed copying on June 2nd of the nineteenth year of the Kaihuang era. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------