佛祖統紀 48.78

48.78

In the third year, Shuxiang Monastery was built on Mount Wutai, and three hundred qing of land were bestowed upon it. The Western monk Gongge was appointed Imperial Preceptor and granted a jade seal. The Imperial Preceptor was commanded to conduct Buddhist services at Tianyuan Yanshou Monastery, and was bestowed two myriad ingots of paper currency and one thousand qing of land. The officials of the Central Secretariat stated: 'Providing for the military and civilians necessarily depends on the benefits of the land. When Shizu built the Xuanwen Hongjiao Monastery and granted it permanent estates, it was already termed a waste of funds at the time. Yet Chengzong again constructed Tianshou Wanning Monastery, which increased expenditures by one and a half times compared to Shizu. As for Wuzong's Chong'en Fuyuan and Renzong's Chenghua Puqing, the tax and monopoly revenues allocated to them were even greater. Yingzong carved mountains to open up monasteries, harming the people and damaging agriculture, yet ultimately with no benefit. The land belongs to the ancestors; their descendants should cherish it together. Your ministers fear that this will henceforth be used as a pretext to recklessly initiate corvée projects, soliciting merits to indulge desires. We only hope Your Majesty will examine this.' The Emperor commended and accepted their words.