佛祖統紀 45.49

45.49

七月司諫錢公輔言。祠部遇歲饑河決。乞鬻度牒以佐一時之急。自今聖節恩賜。並與裁損。鬻牒自此始。

In the seventh month, the Imperial Censor Qian Gongfu stated: 'The Ministry of Rites is facing a year of famine and breaches of the Yellow River. I beg that ordination certificates be sold to aid the immediate emergency, and from now on, imperial bestowals on the Holy Festival should all be reduced.' The sale of ordination certificates began with this.