佛祖統紀 40.4

40.4

In the first year of the Shenlong reign era, an imperial decree summoned Chan Master Huineng of Shaozhou to enter the capital, but he did not accept. An imperial decree ordered an examination on the scriptures throughout the realm to ordain monks. Dayi, a novice of Lingyin in Shanyin, at the age of twelve recited the Lotus Sūtra and placed first in the examination. Yi studied cessation and contemplation under Zuoxi; when approaching his end, he passed away while sitting, and heavenly music came to welcome him. An imperial decree sent an envoy to invite Chan Master Huineng of Shaozhou to enter the capital to practice the Way. The master submitted a memorial declining on account of illness, whereupon he was bestowed a kāṣāya, pitcher, and bowl, to express the sovereign's longing and admiration. An imperial decree commanded Tripiṭaka Master Yijing to translate the Mayūrī-vidyārājñī-dhāraṇī-sūtra in the inner palace bodhimaṇḍa, and an imperial preface to the holy teaching was composed to place at the head of the scripture. Formerly, when the Emperor was living in the Fang region, he prayed and was mindful of Bhaiṣajyaguru Tathāgata, and subsequently received blessings; therefore he ordered the master to translate the Sūtra of the Seven Bhaiṣajyaguru Buddhas, with the Emperor personally acting as the scribe. The master translated a total of fifty-six works. Fang Rong, Grand Councilor of the Joint Administrative Department, was demoted to Gaozhou. Arriving in Nanhai, he met the Indian śramaṇa Pāramiti and stayed at the Zhizhi Monastery, where they translated the Śūraṅgama-sūtra, with Rong acting as the scribe. In the ninth month, the Emperor sacrificed at the Mingtang and proclaimed a great amnesty. An edict said: 'We hear that Daoist abbeys all depict the image of Laozi converting the barbarians to become the Buddha, and various monasteries also depict the image of Lord Lao. Both teachings' revered images have thus been mutually degraded, which is exceedingly improper. From now on, they must all be demolished and removed. The Huahu jing has been prohibited and banned across successive reigns; henceforth, whoever keeps this forged scripture or any records mentioning the conversion of the barbarians shall have them expunged. Violators shall be penalized in accordance with the decree.' The Daoist of the Hongdao Abbey, Huan Yandao, submitted a memorial requesting the retention of the Huahu jing. An edict replied: 'Our intention is to restore purity, and our sentiment lies in eliminating forgery. In the leisure among myriad state affairs, We recently perused the three teachings. The doctrines of the two sections of the Daodejing and the expositions of the two truths of emptiness and existence both expound the profound mysteries and propagate the wondrous principle. Why rely on the falsehood of converting the barbarians to glorify the school of Laozi? Its meaning is discordant, and it must be expunged.'