釋氏稽古略 3.46

3.46

In the twenty-second year of the Zhenguan era, after the Emperor returned from the campaign against Liao, his energy and strength were failing, so he turned his attention to the Great Teaching. In the eighth month, he asked Dharma Master Xuanzang: "If one wishes to plant benefits in the Dharma gate, what should be prioritized?" Xuanzang said: "Sentient beings sleep in delusion; without wisdom they cannot be awakened. When the sprouts of wisdom shoot up and grow, the Dharma serves as their nourishment. Propagating the Dharma requires people; ordaining monks is paramount." The Emperor said: "I bestow upon Xuanzang a patched robe and Baoli [monastery]." Xuanzang submitted a memorial of gratitude, detailed below in his previous original biography. In the ninth month, on the yi-mao day, an imperial edict stated: "At the close of the Sui, rule was lost; the realm fell into disarray. The four seas were plunged into misery; the eight directions were in turmoil. We happened to confront the task of quelling the rebellion and personally braved the edge of weapons, repeatedly enduring wind and frost and sleeping on horseback. Recently, though treated with medicines, We had not yet fully recovered. Only recently have We finally regained health. How could this not be brought about by merit and goodness? In the capital and all prefectures across the realm, let five monks be ordained in each monastery." At that time, there were more than 3,700 monasteries in the realm, and in total over 17,000 monks were ordained (Old Tang History).