佛祖統紀 37.23

37.23

中大通元年。京城大疫。帝於重雲殿為百姓設救苦齋。以身為禱。復幸同泰寺。設四部無遮大會。披法衣行清淨大舍。素床瓦器乘小車。親升法座為眾開涅槃經題群臣以錢一億萬奉贖。皇帝設道俗大齋五萬人。

In the first year of the Zhongdatong reign era, a great epidemic struck the capital. The Emperor held a vegetarian feast for relieving suffering in the Chongyun Hall on behalf of the common people, praying with his own body. He visited Tongtai Monastery again and held a great, unrestricted assembly (mahā-pañcavārṣika) for the fourfold community. Wearing Dharma robes, he practiced the great renunciation of purity, using a plain couch and earthenware vessels, riding in a small carriage. He personally ascended the Dharma throne to explain the title of the *Nirvāṇa Sūtra* for the assembly. The ministers ransomed him with one hundred million coins. The Emperor held a great vegetarian feast for fifty thousand monastics and laypeople.