今天（農曆十一月十七日）是阿彌陀佛聖誕，我要對十方諸佛發一個誓願，發什麼誓願呢？我所發的願，是關於《楞嚴經》真偽的問題。

Today (the seventeenth day of the eleventh lunar month) is Amitabha Buddha's birthday. I shall now make a vow regarding the Shurangama Sutra 's authenticity before the Buddhas of the ten directions.

近來有幾個博士和學者們，批評《楞嚴經》不是釋迦牟尼佛金口所說的，而是後人偽造的。他們這麼大肆宣傳、破壞，引起對佛法不求甚解的佛教徒，生起懷疑之心，人云亦云，就跟著人家後邊吶喊，這實在是很可憐！

Recently, some Ph.D.'s and scholars have criticized the Shurangama Sutra . They claim it was invented by later generations and not spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha. They have spread this rumor and tried to destroy this Sutra, causing Buddhists who lack true understanding to doubt. These people, who stir up a fuss by repeating what others say, are truly pathetic.

今天我對大家保證《楞嚴經》是真的！不但《楞嚴經》是真的，就是〈楞嚴咒〉也是真的。《楞嚴經》是佛的真身，是佛的舍利，任何人也破壞不了。有《楞嚴經》，就有正法；沒有《楞嚴經》，就沒有正法。如果《楞嚴經》是假的，我願意墮拔舌地獄，受無間的痛苦。

Today, I will vouch for the authenticity of the Shurangama Sutra before the assembly. Not only the Shurangama Sutra , but also the Shurangama Mantra is authentic. The Shurangama Sutra is the Buddha's “true body” and the Buddha's sharira; no one can destroy it. If the Shurangama Sutra exists, then the Proper Dharma exists. If the Shurangama Sutra ceases to exist, then the Proper Dharma will also vanish. If the Shurangama Sutra is inauthentic, then I vow to fall into the Hell of Pulling Tongues to undergo uninterrupted suffering.

我希望大家以後要有擇法眼，不要再跟著邋遢博士，或者垃圾學者去研究是否《楞嚴經》是偽造的問題，不要被垃圾的境界所轉；要有定力，來轉垃圾的境界。他們為什麼說這部經是假的呢？因為他們的心，邋遢到極點！不願正法住世，所以故意來破壞，不教人修行。

In the future, I hope that everyone will use their Dharma-selecting vision and not follow any careless Ph.D.'s or irresponsible scholars who do research on how the Shurangama Sutra is counterfeit. Don't let that rubbish influence you. Use your samadhi power to turn those states around. Why do some people claim that the Shurangama Sutra is false? Because their minds are not clear. They don't want the Proper Dharma to remain in the world. Instead of telling people to cultivate, they try to destroy the Dharma.

《楞嚴經》上說：「淫心不除，塵不可出。」從這兩句經文，就可以證明，這部經千真萬確是佛所說的妙理。若是不除掉淫欲心，就不能超出三界；也就是說不斷欲去愛，根本就不能證果。

The Shurangama Sutra says, "If one doesn't cut off lust, one won't be able to leave the dust." This sentence alone is enough to prove that this Sutra is definitely and beyond a shadow of doubt the wonderful doctrine spoken by the Buddha. If one doesn't cast out thoughts of lust, one cannot transcend the Three Realms. If one doesn't cut off desire and love, it's impossible to attain the fruition of sagehood.

《楞嚴經》上又說：「若不斷欲。修禪定者。如蒸沙石。欲其成飯。無有是處。」由此觀之，就能知道正法眼藏所在之處。

The Shurangama Sutra also says, "Trying to cultivate samadhi without cutting off lust is like cooking sand trying to obtain rice. It can't be done." If we contemplate the truth of this, we will know where the Treasury of the Proper Dharma Eye lies.

凡是真正的佛教徒，一定要擁護《楞嚴經》，誦持〈楞嚴咒〉，它的力量是不可思議的，這是我親身的經驗。

A genuine Buddhist will most assuredly support and protect the Shurangama Sutra and recite and uphold the Shurangama Mantra. From personal experience, I know that this Mantra's power is inconceivable.

我再發願，我要特別強調《楞嚴經》是真經，不是偽經；如果這點有錯誤，我願墮拔舌地獄。希望大家認清這個問題，自己要有正見，不要辜負我這番苦心。

I repeat my vow in order to emphasize that the Shurangama Sutra is an authentic, not a counterfeit, Sutra. If I am mistaken, then I vow to fall into the Hell of Pulling Tongues. I hope everyone is clear on this issue. Hold proper views and don't disappoint me!

一九七八年一月二十一