佛祖統紀 47.42

47.42

In the fourth year [of Qiandao], on the eighth day of the fourth month, Master Ne of Upper Tianzhu was summoned to lead fifty monks into the Inner Contemplation Hall to perform the Golden Light Samādhi for Protecting the Country. When the vegetarian meal was over, he expounded the Dharma. The Emperor said, "The Buddha's Dharma is indeed subtle, but how did so many volumes of sūtras come to be?" The Master said, "It is thus because it has a source." The Emperor was pleased, and promoted him to the rank of Monastic Scribe of the Left Street, Master of the Light of Wisdom. From then on, every year on the Buddha's birthday, the monks who entered the palace were bestowed fifty bolts of silk and conducted Buddhist services. (Recorded by Song Zhirui in the stupa inscription.) In the ninth month, the Emperor said to the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Li Tao, "The language of Buddhism and Daoism must not be used in examination essays. If it is used for personal cultivation in the mountain forests, it does no harm to the Way. If it is used in the examination hall, I fear it will interfere with state affairs." (Zhongxing shijian)