佛祖統紀 54.68

54.68

Emperor Taizong of the Tang decreed that offenses committed by monks should be clearly codified according to the internal Vinaya; he ordered the *Sūtra of the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching* to be promulgated to officials in the capital and prefects, so that where the conduct of monks and nuns did not accord with the sūtra, they should be admonished both publicly and privately. Under Emperor Gaozong, Dharma Master Xuanzang memorialized two matters: first, that during the Zhenguan era Laozi was placed above the Buddha; second, that monks and Daoists committing offenses were interrogated alongside commoners, degrading the Dharma. The Emperor said: "Subjecting monks to secular law shall be halted immediately." Emperor Xuanzong decreed that offenses by monks and nuns must be handled strictly in accordance with the Buddhist Vinaya, and prefectures and counties must not arbitrarily execute punishments. Emperor Daizong decreed that officials throughout the realm must not beat or insult monks and nuns.