佛祖統紀 42.45

42.45

The commentary states: Emperor Wuzong destroyed Buddhism, believed in Daoism, ingested elixirs, developed an ulcer on his back, and died; the world was just taking this as a warning. Emperor Xuanzong had fled enmity by becoming a monk, and ultimately ascended the precious throne. Resentful of the Huichang suppression, he executed and exiled Li and Zhao, and erected Fangdeng ordination platforms to make the monks and nuns receive the ordination precepts again; his intentions were earnest indeed. Yet in his final years, he once more employed Daoist robes, ingested golden elixirs, and an ulcer broke out on his back. His fault lay in fondness for seeking longevity without grasping the principle of the impermanence of worldly appearances. Therefore, he ultimately walked into disaster and was ridiculed by later generations.