釋鑑稽古略續集 1.81

1.81

帝詔遍天下。每一歲中。行布施度僧。讀大藏經。隨處放光現瑞禎祥不一　詔講華嚴大德。於京城大寺開演。以彰如來之富貴　帝設大會七處。放光顯示華嚴七處玄旨　帝以金為泥。命僧儒繕寫大藏經。一藏貯以七寶琅凾。祈流傳萬世　帝以宋朝鎮庫旃檀方圓丈餘。刻為佛像和益人天　帝賜講經僧紅袈裟。令說法人與佛無異　帝日持數珠。課誦自奉施食。

The Emperor issued an edict throughout the realm that in every single year, alms should be distributed, monks ordained, and the Great Canon read. Radiant rays of light and diverse auspicious omens manifested everywhere. He decreed that virtuous masters lecturing on the Avataṃsaka should expound it in the great monasteries of the capital to manifest the richness and nobility of the Tathāgata. The Emperor established great assemblies at seven locations, which radiated light to reveal the profound tenets of the seven locations in the Avataṃsaka. The Emperor used gold as paste, commanding monks and scholars to transcribe the Great Canon, storing one canon in seven-jewel jade-inlaid cases, praying that it would be handed down for myriad generations. The Emperor took the square-zhang block of sandalwood that had guarded the Song treasury and had it carved into a Buddha image to harmonize and benefit humans and devas. The Emperor bestowed red kāṣāyas upon monks who lectured on the sūtras, making the expounders of the Dharma no different from the Buddha. The Emperor daily held recitation beads, recited his assigned portions, and practiced the distribution of food offerings himself.