佛祖歷代通載 22.96

22.96

帝詔蜀僧圓證。明六神之術。上曰。髠髮恐無靈驗。回奏云。此六者。天地日月水火之神。菩提場中各說偈讚佛。得大解脫門。為華嚴之嚴衛。僧人昭事。神必欽依。髠髮無傷。帝然之。

The Emperor summoned the monk Yuanzheng of Shu, who understood the arts of the Six Spirits. The Sovereign said: "I fear that shaving the head will have no efficacy." He replied: "These six are the spirits of heaven, earth, sun, moon, water, and fire. In the bodhimaṇḍa, each spoke verses praising the Buddha, attained great gates of liberation, and became solemn guardians of the Avataṃsaka. When monks make offerings to them, the spirits will surely revere and heed them. Shaving the head causes no harm." The Emperor agreed.