佛祖統紀 52.20

52.20

Emperor Taizu of the Song. He decreed that among the common people, from the second to the ninth month, trapping, catching, and shooting with pellets were not allowed, and had this recorded in the statutes. Emperor Zhenzong decreed that ponds for releasing living beings in prefectures and commanderies throughout the realm should all be restored; where there was no pond, in prefectures and commanderies along the Yangtze and Huai rivers within five li of the city, fishing was strictly prohibited. Pan Hua, Magistrate of Zhuji, relying on the Samantabhadra Repentance ritual, forbade the catching of fish in the rivers and lakes; when he received an imperial decree to return to the palace, he dreamed of tens of thousands of fish in human form weeping loudly to the heavens, all saying, "The Elder is leaving! We will not escape being cooked!" and so forth. Dharma Master Ciyun of Tianzhu memorialized requesting that West Lake be made a pond for releasing living beings; each year on the eighth day of the fourth month, the people of the prefecture gathered at the lake to liberate fish and birds to pray for the Emperor's longevity. Emperor Renzong. Dharma Master Fazhi of Yanqing in Siming, every year on the Buddha's birthday, released fish and birds to pray for the imperial longevity; the prefecture reported this to the throne, and an imperial order had Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs Liu Yun compose a stele inscription to be erected at the temple gate.