佛祖歷代通載 12.86

12.86

（三十九）　是年七月庚辰下詔曰。釋典玄宗理均迹異。拯人化俗教別功齊。自今每緣法事聚集僧尼道士女冠等宜齊行並集。初太宗以老子為皇宗。升於釋氏之上。至則天朝。復在釋氏之下。今此已往遂為永式。令齊班並集云。

([Year] 39) In the seventh month of this year, on the gengchen day, an edict was issued: 'The Buddhist scriptures and the Daoist Mystery share the same principle though their traces differ; in rescuing people and transforming customs, their teachings diverge but their merits are equal. From now on, whenever monks, nuns, Daoist priests, and Daoist priestesses assemble on occasions of religious rites, they should proceed in parallel ranks and gather together.' Formerly, Emperor Taizong took Laozi as the imperial ancestor, elevating him above the Buddhists. By the reign of Zetian, Daoism was placed beneath Buddhism again. From now on, this shall become an everlasting model, ordering them to gather together in equal ranks.