佛祖統紀 36.62

36.62

In the second year of the Long'an reign era, the Chang'an śramaṇa Faxian went to India to seek sūtras. Huan Xuan, assisting in the government, urged the emperor to purge the monks and nuns. An imperial decree stated: 'Those who are able to expound and recite sūtras and treatises, preach the doctrinal principles, and cultivate proper conduct in the vinaya shall all be permitted to remain according to their training; all the rest shall be ordered to renounce the path. Only Mount Lu, being the residence of virtue and the Way, shall be exempt from search and selection.' Master Huiyuan wrote a letter vigorously arguing against it, and the matter was subsequently dropped.