釋氏稽古略 3.36

3.36

In the tenth year of Zhenguan, bing[shen] (636), Crown Prince Chengqian asked Zhang Shiheng: "What is the retribution of serving the Buddha and seeking merit?" He replied: "Serving the Buddha lies in purity, benevolence, and forbearance. If one is greedy, arrogant, and cruel, even if one exhausts one's wealth to serve him, it will not diminish calamity. Moreover, good and evil must bring retribution, just as a shadow follows the form. The words of the sages are complete on this. If a ruler is enlightened, a minister loyal, and a son filial, then fortune and prosperity will endure. If one goes against this, then calamity arrives." Shiheng used these words to correct the Prince's mind. Prince Chengqian ultimately lost his virtue. In the seventeenth year of Zhenguan, Chengqian was deposed as a commoner, and Prince of Jin Zhi was established as Crown Prince.