佛祖統紀 40.17

40.17

The commentary says: From Emperor Cheng of the Jin to Emperor Yang of the Sui, there were four imperial edicts in total ordering śramaṇas to pay homage to the ruler. Master Yuan said, "The kāṣāya is not an attire for attending court." Master Zhan said, "Monks have no precedent of paying homage to the secular." Consequently, the matter was laid to rest. From Emperor Taizong to Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang, there were two imperial edicts in total ordering monks and Daoists to pay homage to their parents, both of which were soon repealed. However, we have not heard what deliberations took place at that time. Could it not be said: if one investigates Buddhist texts, those who have left the household reside honorably within the Three Jewels, serving as fields of merit for the world, and even have their parents bow to them in return. How could one violate the Buddha's regulations and cater to a temporary law? The deliberations to repeal it could not have exceeded this meaning. From Xuanzong down to our own dynasty, no one has ever raised this improper proposal again.