高僧傳 6.73

6.73

時恒有同學道標，亦雅有才力，當時擅名，與恒相次。秦主姚興以恒、標二人神氣俊朗，有經國之量，乃勅偽尚書令姚顯，令敦逼恒、標罷道，助振王業。又下書恒、標等曰：「卿等皎然之操，實在可嘉，但君臨四海，治急須才，今勅尚書令顯，令奪卿等法服，助翼贊時世。苟心存道味，寧繫白黑？望體此懷，不以守節為辭也。」

At that time, Daoheng had a fellow student named Daobiao, who was likewise remarkably gifted, enjoyed a renown second only to Daoheng's, and matched him in stature. The Qin ruler Yao Xing, considering Daoheng and Daobiao to possess clear, outstanding temperaments and the capacity to govern the state, commanded Yao Xian, President of the Department of State Affairs under his illegitimate regime, to press Daoheng and Daobiao to renounce the monastic path in order to assist in invigorating royal endeavors. He also issued an edict to Daoheng, Daobiao, and others, stating: 'The pure integrity of you gentlemen is indeed worthy of praise; yet in ruling over all within the four seas, governance urgently requires talent. I have now instructed Xian, President of the Department of State Affairs, to strip you gentlemen of your Dharma robes so that you may aid and support the contemporary age. As long as your minds hold the flavour of the Dao, what does it matter whether your garments be white or black? I hope you will appreciate this intention and not decline on the pretext of keeping your monastic vows.'