佛祖歷代通載 11.24

11.24

（十一）　十一月。詔曰。三乘結轍濟度為先。八正歸依慈悲為主。流智慧之海膏澤群生。剪煩惱之林津梁品物。任真體道理叶至仁。妙果勝因事符積善。朕欽若金輪恭膺寶命。至德之訓無遠不思。大聖之規無幽不察。欲使人免蓋纏。家臻仁壽。比緣喪亂僧徒減少。華臺寶塔窺戶無人。紺髮青蓮櫛風沐雨。眷言凋毀良用憮然。其天下諸州有寺之處宜度僧尼。數以三千為限。其州有大小地有華夷。當處所度多少有司詳定務取德業精明。其往因減省還俗。及私度白衣之徒。若行業可稱通在取限。必無人可取。亦任其開數。比聞多有僧徒溺於流俗。或假託鬼神妄傳妖怪。或謬稱醫巫左道求利。或灼鑽膚體駭俗驚愚。或造詣官曹囑致贓賄。凡此等類大虧聖教。朕情在護持。必無寬貸。自今宜令所司依附六律。

(11) In the eleventh month, an imperial edict stated: "The three vehicles (triyāna) join their tracks, placing deliverance foremost; the eightfold noble path is taken as refuge, with compassion as the master. It spreads the ocean of wisdom to enrich all living beings; it fells the forest of afflictions to ferry across all creatures. Conforming to the real and embodying the principle, its teachings accord with ultimate benevolence; its wondrous fruits and superior causes match the accumulation of goodness. Respectfully revering the Golden Wheel and reverently receiving the precious mandate, I contemplate the instructions of utmost virtue throughout the far reaches, and scrutinize the regulations of the Great Sage in every hidden corner. I desire to free people from the hindrances and defilements, and let every household attain benevolence and longevity. Recently, due to warfare and disorder, the monastic community has dwindled: at the flowered pedestals and jeweled pagodas, no one peers through the gates; the dark-blue hair and blue-lotus eyes are exposed to the wind and rain. Looking upon this decline and destruction, I am truly filled with dismay. Throughout the commanderies of the empire, wherever there are monasteries, monks and nuns should be ordained, with the number limited to three thousand. Since the commanderies vary in size and the lands encompass both Chinese and barbarian areas, the responsible officials shall carefully assess and determine how many are to be ordained in each place, striving to select those of refined and bright moral practice. Those who in the past returned to lay life due to reductions and retrenchments, as well as those who were privately ordained from lay status, may all be included in the selection if their religious conduct is commendable. If there is genuinely no one worthy of selection, the quota may also be left unfilled. Recently I have heard that many members of the monastic community are drowning in worldly habits: some falsely invoking spirits and deities, recklessly spreading tales of apparitions; some falsely claiming to be healers or shamans, pursuing illicit gains through heterodox means; some burning or puncturing their skin and bodies to terrify the worldly and startle the ignorant; and some frequenting government offices to solicit and bribe officials. All such kinds gravely corrupt the Holy Teaching. My mind is set on protecting and maintaining it, and I will show absolutely no leniency. From now on, let the responsible officials rely upon the Six Statutes,"