佛祖統紀 43.11

43.11

讚曰。自有佛法以來。有道之國未嘗不隆篤佛教以勸天下。太祖初見周朝毀像。傷之曰。令毀佛法大非社稷之福。及登大寶。亟下興復之詔。可謂有道之君必隆佛教。

The appraisal says: Ever since there has been the Buddha's Dharma, states possessing the Way have never failed to exalt and deeply uphold the Buddhist teachings to encourage the realm. When Taizu first witnessed the destruction of statues under the Zhou dynasty, he lamented, saying, "To order the destruction of the Buddha's Dharma is by no means a blessing for the altars of soil and grain." When he ascended the imperial throne, he promptly issued edicts for restoration. Truly it can be said that a ruler possessing the Way will inevitably exalt the Buddhist teachings.