釋氏稽古略 3.27

3.27

Prohibition of slaughter and establishment of monasteries: In this year, the Emperor gave up the old Taihe Palace on Mount Zhongnan to establish Longtian Monastery for Gaozu, which later became Cuiwei Monastery. Because Śākya Mingzhan was skilled in understanding methods of governance, the Emperor summoned him to the inner hall and bestowed a vegetarian meal. In response to the imperial audience, Mingzhan broadly expounded the arts of imperial rulership and stated that the Śākya teaching takes compassionate deliverance as its essential principle. The Emperor was greatly delighted; he thereupon issued an edict on the sixth day of the third month universally prohibiting slaughter, and ordered Buddhist monasteries to be established at all sites of battle (Bianzheng lun).