佛祖歷代通載 20.42

20.42

（丁丑）　八月詔收諸路給餘僧牒。上曰。佛法朕亦未甞有意絕之。正恐僧徒多則不耕者眾矣（宋史）。

(Dingchou) In the eighth month, an imperial edict recalled the surplus monastic ordination certificates issued across the circuits. The Emperor said: 'As for the Buddha-Dharma, I have never intended to extinguish it; I merely fear that if monastic followers become numerous, those who do not till the soil will be many.' (From the Song History.)