佛祖統紀 51.79

51.79

唐肅宗。勅僧尼朝會表奏毋得稱臣（禮記。儒有上不臣天子下不事諸侯。漢王儒仲見光武稱名不臣）。

Tang Dynasty. Emperor Suzong decreed that in court assemblies and when submitting memorials, monks and nuns must not declare themselves subjects (*The Book of Rites* states: "Among Confucians, there are those who above do not serve the Son of Heaven as subjects, and below do not serve the feudal lords." When Wang Ruzhong of the Han met Emperor Guangwu, he referred to himself by name and did not call himself a subject).