佛祖統紀 46.43

46.43

In the first month of the first year of the Xuanhe reign era, an edict stated: 'Since the beneficence of the former kings was exhausted, foreign teachings began to operate in the central states. Although their words differ, their ultimate destination is one with the Dao. While it cannot be abolished, it nevertheless harms the rites and righteousness of the central states, and therefore cannot but be reformed. Let the Buddha be designated the Golden Immortal of Great Enlightenment, wearing the robes of a Heavenly Worthy; let bodhisattvas be designated Great Beings; let monks be Men of Virtue, and nuns Women of Virtue, wearing scarves and caps and holding wooden tablets; let temples become Daoist palaces, and cloisters become Daoist abbeys; let abbots become Managers of Affairs for Palaces and Abbeys. It is prohibited to keep bronze cymbals, stūpas, or [Buddhist] statues.' At first, when the Buddhist teaching was suppressed, none in the outer court complied. Sheng Zhang, the Prefect of Kaifeng, was instigated by wicked men who used considerations of profit and harm, and he was the first to obey; he then transmitted the imperial decree to Cai Jing. Jing said, 'The state has enjoyed peace and security for a long time; heroes have nowhere to apply their talents and often hide among this group. If their dwellings are destroyed and their food and clothing taken from them in a single morning, where will they turn? They will surely harbor deep resentment, gather, and cause rebellion. On that day, whom among you will take the blame?' When the Emperor heard this, he was enraged and said, 'These fellows merely wish to intimidate me!' Jing's family advised him, saying, 'The Emperor is angry.' Jing replied, 'I will stake my life to repay the Buddha.' It happened that a group of monks was about to submit a petition to Jing to demand debate. Sheng Zhang learned of it and arrested their leaders, the eminent monks Rihua and Yanpeng, both Vinaya masters; a total of seven people were beaten to death with staves. Master of Precious Enlightenment Yongdao of the Left Precinct submitted a memorial saying, 'From ancient times, the Buddhist Dharma has always waxed and waned together with the fortunes of the state. Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei and Cui Hao destroyed the Buddhist Dharma, and before three or four years had passed, Hao's clan was completely exterminated, while Emperor Wencheng greatly revived it. Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou and Wei Yuansong destroyed the Buddhist Dharma, and before five or six years had passed, Yuansong died in disgrace and exile, while Emperor Wen of the Sui greatly revived it. Emperor Wuzong of the Tang, Zhao Guizhen, and Li Deyu destroyed the Buddhist Dharma, and before a year had passed, Guizhen was executed and Deyu died in exile, while Emperor Xuanzong greatly revived it. In our dynasty, Grand Ancestor and Grand Progenitor, followed by successive sage emperors, translated scriptures, examined monks, and greatly revived the Buddhist Dharma; the established institutions are fully preserved and can be maintained for ten thousand generations! How can Your Majesty bear to adopt the words of wicked men in a single day and commit an act that shocks the world? Does Your Majesty not think of Taiwu being murdered at the hands of a eunuch? Or of Emperor Wu of the Zhou becoming a prisoner in an iron prison? Or of Emperor Wuzong of the Tang suffering the retribution of shortened life and loss of his throne? These are all clear mirrors from the past. Why should Your Majesty step into the disaster of evil rulers and violate the laws of your ancestors?' When the memorial was submitted, the Emperor was furious and issued an edict exiling him to Daozhou. Because Cai Jing was stubborn and refused to carry it out, the Emperor ceased consultations with the chief councilor and made arbitrary decisions solely with his close attendants. Sheng Zhang coerced the Registrar of Monks, Hongbing, into presenting a memorial submitting to the decree. Thereupon all monks were converted into Men of Virtue, fully adopting the caps and robes; otherwise they were dismantled. Jing repeatedly and earnestly stated to the Emperor: 'The Buddha statues under heaven were not made by the monks for themselves; they were all made by sons for their fathers and subjects for their lords, to pray for blessings and repay kindness. Now to destroy them on a grand scale will only agitate the minds of the people; it is not to the advantage of the dynastic altars.' The Emperor's mind was somewhat softened by this.