釋氏稽古略 2.129

2.129

In the first year of the Xing'an era of the Wei, many ministers requested the restoration of the teachings of the Śākya lineage. An imperial edict was issued: 'As rulers of men, emperors must revere luminous statutes and make manifest the benevolent way. If someone's grace is bestowed upon the living people and brings benefit to all beings, even in ancient times their virtuous exploits were chronicled. Thus the Spring and Autumn Annals rejoices in the rites of honoring the illustrious, and the ritual canons record the clans whose deeds brought benefit. How much more so with the Tathāgata of the Śākya teachings, whose achievements save the great chiliocosm and whose grace flows through the realm of sensory dust! Those who investigate life and death admire his penetrating vision; those who peruse the texts and meanings prize his wondrous gateway. It aids the prohibitions and laws of royal governance, augments the virtuous nature of benevolence and wisdom, casts out all errors, and opens and expounds right awakening. Therefore, from previous generations onward, there have been none who did not venerate it, and it is also what our state has constantly revered. We now decree that in all prefectures, commanderies, and counties where people reside, permission is granted to construct Buddhist stupas. Those who find joy in the Buddha-Dharma and wish to become śramaṇas are permitted to renounce household life: fifty persons for large prefectures, and forty persons for small prefectures.' Thereupon, the Buddhist stupas previously destroyed were all restored (Book of Wei and Sengshi lüe). The authorities were also ordered to cast bronze Buddha statues at the Great Five-Tiered Monastery for the five emperors from Taizu downwards, each measuring one zhang and six chi. The emperor personally shaved the heads of five persons, including the śramaṇa Shixian, and appointed Shixian as Controller of Monastics (Daoren tong) (Book of Wei and Sengshi).