佛祖統紀 44.10

44.10

In the third month of the second year, the monk Muluoshiji from Kaśmīra arrived to present Sanskrit sutras and bodhi-tree leaves. In the seventh month, the monk Damopo (Dharmapāla) from the Western Heavens arrived to present Sanskrit sutras; he was bestowed purple vestments. In the ninth month, the Emperor visited the Institute for the Translation of Sutras, had the Tripiṭaka monks seated, and bestowed incense, tea, silks, and polychrome fabrics according to rank. Because previously the appointments and promotions of monastic officers to abbots of various monasteries had at times not matched their abilities, the Emperor thereupon summoned them to the side hall to examine and test their conduct and practice. In the third year, Sun Shi, Reader-in-Waiting to the Princely Establishments, memorialized to request reductions in the building of monasteries and the ordination of monks. The Emperor said: "The two teachings of Buddhism and Daoism aid worldly instruction. Some people hold one-sided views and often slander and revile them. Even if monks and Daoists occasionally fail to inspect themselves, how could [these teachings] be abolished?" An imperial decree ordered that for every ten people ordained annually in Buddhism and Daoism, one person be specially exempted from the examination on scriptural knowledge. The monk Zhimeng of Wuzhou, surnamed Xu, wore brocade clothes and loved to eat pig heads. When he spoke of men's fortunes and misfortunes, none failed to come true. He called people "little brother-in-law" and styled himself "Brother-in-law Xu." One day, he passed away sitting upright at Jixiang Monastery in Sanqu. His parting words were: "I am the Buddha Dīpaṅkara." Thereafter, his true body was venerated, and prayers and divine responses never ceased. The world called him the "Pig-Head Acārya."