佛祖歷代通載 16.32

16.32

（十八　甲子）　正月作望仙樓於禁中。時集道士於其上。諮質仙事。時趙歸真特被殊寵。諫官數上疏論之。帝謂宰相曰。諫官論趙歸真。此意要卿等知。朕宮中無事。屏去聲色要此人道話耳。李德裕對曰。臣不敢言前代得失。第歸真曾在敬宗朝出入掖庭。以此群情不願陛下復親近之。帝曰。朕於彼時已識此人。但不知其名。呼為趙練師。在敬宗時亦無甚惡。朕與之言滌煩耳。至於軍國政事。唯與卿等論之。豈問道士。繇是宰相不復諫。而歸真遂以涉物論。遂舉羅浮山道士鄧元超有長生術。帝遣中使迎之及。元超至與劉玄靖及歸真等。膠固排毀釋氏。於是拆寺之請行焉。

(Year 18, Jiazi [844 CE]) In the first month, the Tower for Expecting Immortals (Wangxian Lou) was built within the forbidden palace. Daoist priests were frequently gathered upon it to inquire into matters concerning immortality. At that time, Zhao Guizhen was granted exceptional favor, and remonstrance officials repeatedly submitted memorials to debate it. The Emperor said to the Chief Minister: “The remonstrance officials debate Zhao Guizhen; My intention is that you and the others should know this: I have nothing to do in the palace, and having banished musical sounds and carnal pleasures, I only require this man to talk about the Dao.” Li Deyu replied: “Your servant dares not speak of the gains and losses of the previous reign; however, Guizhen once went in and out of the inner quarters during the reign of Emperor Jingzong. For this reason, the sentiments of the masses are that they do not wish Your Majesty to be intimate with him again.” The Emperor said: “I already knew this man at that time, but only did not know his name, calling him Master of Daoist Cultivation Zhao. In Jingzong’s time he also did nothing particularly wicked. I speak with him merely to dispel boredom. As for military and state governance, I discuss them solely with you and the ministers; how could I ask a Daoist priest?” Thereupon, the Chief Minister no longer remonstrated. But Guizhen, because he was involved in public criticism, then recommended Deng Yuanchao, a Daoist priest of Mount Luofu, as possessing the arts of longevity. The Emperor sent palace commissioners to welcome him, and when Yuanchao arrived, he joined closely with Liu Xuanjing and Guizhen to disparage and subvert Buddhism. Thereupon, the petition to demolish monasteries was enacted.