佛祖歷代通載 17.12

17.12

（九　癸巳）　咸通十四年三月庚午。詔兩街僧於鳳翔法門寺迎佛骨。於是以金銀為剎珠玉為帳。孔鷸周飾之。小者尋丈。高者倍之。刻檀為簷柱。陛墄塗黃金。每一剎數百人舉之。香輿前後係道。綴玉琴瑟幡蓋殊綵以為幢旌。費不貲。限以四月八日至京師。綵觀夾道。天子御安福門樓迎拜。引入內道場。三日後出京城諸寺。詔賜兩街僧金帛。京師耆老及見元和事者悉厚賜。所過鄉聚皆裒土為剎。相望於途光景晝見。京城高貲相與集大衢。作僧臺縵闕。注水銀為池。金玉為樹。集桑門羅像設。考鼓鳴螺繼日夜。下詔曰。朕以寡德纘承洪業十有四年。頃值寇興王師未息。朕憂勤在位愛育生靈。遂尊崇釋教至重玄門。迎請真身為百姓祈福。今人陷之眾隘塞路岐。載念狴牢寢興在慮。嗟我黎人陷于刑辟。況漸當暑毒繫於縲絏。京畿及天下諸州府見禁囚。遞減死一等。明年四月詔送佛骨歸于鳳翔。都人耆耋辭餞皆嗚咽流涕。

([Year] 9, guisi) In the fourteenth year of the Xiantong era, in the third month on the gengwu day, an imperial edict commanded the monks of the Two Streets to welcome the Buddha's bone relic from Famen Temple in Fengxiang. Thereupon, reliquaries were made of gold and silver, and canopies of pearls and jade, decorated all over with peacock and kingfisher feathers. The smaller ones were one to several fathoms tall, and the taller ones twice that. Sandalwood was carved for eaves and pillars, and steps were coated in yellow gold. Each reliquary was carried by several hundred men. Incense carriages followed one another continuously along the road, hung with jade, zithers, banners, and canopies of extraordinary colors serving as standards and pennants; the expense was beyond measure. It was decreed that it should reach the capital by the eighth day of the fourth month. Decorated viewing stands lined both sides of the avenues. The Son of Heaven went to the tower of the Anfu Gate to welcome it with prostrations, and escorted it into the Inner Bodhimaṇḍa. After three days, it was taken around to the various temples in the capital. An imperial edict bestowed gold and silk on the monks of the Two Streets. The elderly citizens of the capital and those who had witnessed the events of the Yuanhe era were all generously rewarded. The villages and settlements along the route all piled up earth to make stupas; facing one another along the roads, their radiant spectacle was visible even in broad daylight. Wealthy people of the capital gathered at the great avenues, constructing tiered pavilions and draped gates for the monks; they poured mercury to make ponds, fashioned gold and jade into trees, assembled monks, and arranged images. Drumming and the blowing of conches continued day and night. An imperial edict was issued saying: "With our meager virtue, We have inherited the grand dynastic heritage for fourteen years. Recently, when rebellions arose, the royal army was not yet rested. In Our diligent concern on the throne to nurture living beings, We have revered the Buddhist teachings and greatly esteemed the Daoist gate, welcoming and inviting the true body to pray for blessings for the common people. At present, masses of people fall into difficulties and crowd the roads. Mindful of those in prison, We reflect on them day and night. Alas for Our common people who have fallen into criminal punishments! Moreover, as the toxic summer heat gradually sets in while they are bound in ropes and fetters, all prisoners currently confined in the capital region and in all prefectures and commands throughout the realm shall have their death sentences reduced by one degree." In the fourth month of the following year, an edict ordered the Buddha's bone to be returned to Fengxiang. The elders and senior residents of the capital wept and shed tears as they saw it off.