釋鑑稽古略續集 2.131

2.131

己巳洪武二十二年春。上以天下無事。憫諸將老。欲保全之。詔從公侯各還其鄉。各陛辭賜賚有差　七月初三日。本部官於華蓋殿欽奉聖旨。鷄鳴寺老僧官。陝西帶來的番僧漢僧。教二部做與綿布僧衣。欽此移咨二部。造辦僧衣三十六名。每名綿布僧衣一套。每套三件。共一百八件。進赴內府給去訖　八月增設僧司。舉選通佛法的僧發來考試。除授他去欽此　八月十七日僧錄司左善世弘道。於奉天門欽奉　聖旨。天界寺只作善世。為額欽此　授善世禪師詔曰。佛教肇興西土。流傳遍被華夷。善世㐫頑。佐王綱而理道。今古崇瞻由慈心而願重。是故出三界而脫沈淪。永彰而不滅。爾勞心願重。特加善世禪師。以神善道統。制天下諸山。繩頑禦惡。於戲佐王綱而理善道。願力宏深。體斯之行。無往不復。戒哉戒哉。

In the jisi year, the twenty-second year of Hongwu [1389], in spring, because the realm was free of troubles, the Emperor took pity on the advanced age of the generals and wished to preserve them; he decreed that the dukes and marquises return to their native places, each bidding farewell at the palace steps and receiving gifts of varied degree. On the third day of the seventh month, an official of this Ministry received an imperial edict at the Huagai Hall: 'For the elderly monk-officials of Jiming Monastery, and the Tibetan monks and Han monks brought from Shaanxi, let the Two Ministries produce and provide them with cotton monk robes. Respect this.' A dispatch was sent to the Two Ministries to produce monk robes for thirty-six persons: each person received one set of cotton monk robes, each set having three pieces, totaling one hundred and eight pieces. These were brought to the inner palace and distributed. In the eighth month, additional Buddhist registries were established; monks well-versed in the Buddha-Dharma were recommended and sent to be examined, and appointments were conferred upon them. Respect this. On the seventeenth day of the eighth month, Left Exalter of the World Hongdao of the Central Buddhist Registry received an imperial edict at the Fengtian Gate: 'Let Tianjie Monastery only bear the title of Exalter of the World as its quota. Respect this.' The edict conferring the title of Chan Master Exalter of the World stated: 'Buddhism first arose in the Western Land; its transmission has spread throughout both China and the barbarian lands. It exalts the world and corrects the obstinate, assisting the royal governance and putting the Way in order. Revered and looked up to from antiquity to the present, it is due to compassionate hearts and solemn vows. Thus, beings escape the three realms and are freed from sinking down, ever manifest and never extinguished. You have labored with mind and solemn vows; We specially confer upon you the title of Chan Master Exalter of the World, so that through the spiritual lineage of the good Way, you may oversee the monasteries across the realm, disciplining the stubborn and warding off evil. Ah! Assisting the royal governance and ordering the good Way, your vow-power is vast and deep. Embodying this practice, there is no departure without return. Be vigilant! Be vigilant!'