釋氏稽古略 3.43

3.43

遺教經　貞觀十八年。帝勅曰。如來滅度以末代澆浮付囑國王大臣護持佛法。然僧尼出家戒行須備。若縱情放逸觸途煩惱。關涉人間動違經律。既失如來玄妙之旨。又虧國王受付之義。遺教經是佛涅槃所說。戒勒弟子甚為詳要。末俗緇素並不崇奉。大道將隱微言且絕。永懷聖教用思弘闡。宜令所司差書手十人。多寫經本務盡施行。其京官五品以上及諸州刺史各付一卷。若見僧尼業行與經文不同。宜公私勸勉必使遵行（見唐書舊史并文館辭林）。

The Sūtra of the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching: In the eighteenth year of the Zhenguan era, the Emperor decreed: "When the Tathāgata entered extinction, seeing the frivolity and decadence of the latter ages, he entrusted kings and ministers to protect and maintain the Buddha-Dharma. However, when monks and nuns leave home, their moral discipline and conduct must be fully prepared. If they give rein to desires and laxity, they encounter afflictions at every turn; getting involved in worldly affairs, their actions run counter to the sūtras and vinaya. This not only loses the profound and wondrous intent of the Tathāgata, but also falls short of the sovereign's duty of receiving the entrustment. The Sūtra of the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching was preached by the Buddha at his parinirvāṇa; its admonitions to his disciples are extremely detailed and essential. The monks and laity of these degenerate times do not revere it at all; the Great Way is about to be obscured, and the subtle words are on the verge of vanishing. Ever cherishing the holy teaching, we ponder its propagation. Let the relevant authorities appoint ten copyists to extensively transcribe copies of this sūtra and ensure their complete implementation. Give one copy each to officials in the capital of the fifth rank and above, and to the regional inspectors of the various prefectures. If they observe the deeds and conduct of monks and nuns to be at variance with the text of the sūtra, they should publicly and privately encourage and urge them, ensuring they strictly comply with it" (Seen in the Old Tang History and the Literary Garden of Words).