佛祖統紀 37.75

37.75

In the third year, an edict ordered Chan Master [Zhi]yi to enter the capital and reside at Lingyao Monastery. In the fourth month, he went to Taiji Hall to lecture on the title of the Dà zhìdù lùn and the title of the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra. After some time, he moved to Guangzhai Monastery. The emperor visited the monastery to listen to the lecture on the Kāruṇikarāja-sūtra, personally paying homage with three prostrations. The court deliberated that since many monks and nuns had no profession, all those who failed the examination on the scriptures should be forced to abandon the Way. Chan Master [Zhi]yi admonished the emperor, saying: "Devadatta recited ten thousand words a day, yet could not avoid falling into the depths; Cūḍapanthaka remembered only a single verse, yet realized the four fruits (both matters are found in the notes to the Basic Annals of Tiantai). In a sincere discussion of practicing the Way, how could it depend on reciting much?" The emperor was greatly pleased and immediately stopped the investigation and purging.