佛祖統紀 44.14

44.14

The commentary states: Daoism serves Heaven, and Heaven serves the Buddha. Therefore, a ruler of a state must preserve both, while the distinction between superior and inferior, great and small, has long been self-evident. Respectfully contemplating Emperor Zhenzong: his sagely mind was open and accommodating, encompassing the Dharma realm; he revered Heaven's decree and honored the Buddha Vehicle, which arose from his true nature and did not rely on learning. He avoided Emperor Wu of Liang's bias of permanently abandoning Daoism, and avoided Emperor Taizong of Tang's error of elevating Laozi above the Buddha (in the second year of the Tianjian era of Liang, Daoism was abolished; in the eleventh year of the Zhenguan era of Tang, Laozi was elevated above the Buddha). He firmly rejected the court officials' assertion that people flatter the Buddha to court blessings, and how could he have heeded Chen Shu's claim that translating sutras wastes wealth? Modeling himself above on his dynastic ancestors and bequeathing established laws below—were he not the utmost sage of the realm, who could have done this?