廣弘明集 28.123

28.123

勅旨佛道形像事極尊嚴。伎巧之家多有造鑄。供養之人競來買贖。品藻工拙揣量輕重。買者不計因果止求賤得。賣者本希利潤唯在價高。罪累特深福報俱盡。違犯經教並宜禁約。自今以後。工匠皆不得預造佛道形像賣鬻。其見成之像。亦不得銷除。各令分送寺觀。令寺觀徒眾酬其價直。仍仰所在州縣官司檢校。勅到後十日內使盡。

Imperial Decree: Images of the Buddhist Way are matters of the utmost dignity and reverence. Households of craftsmen frequently cast and carve them, while people making offerings compete to buy and ransom them, appraising craftsmanship and weighing lightness or heaviness. Buyers take no heed of cause and effect, merely seeking to obtain them cheaply; sellers originally hope for profit, aiming only at high prices. The accumulation of offences is exceptionally deep, and karmic blessings are utterly exhausted. Since this violates the teachings of the scriptures, it should all be prohibited. From this day forward, artisans are not permitted to produce in advance images of the Buddhist Way for sale. Existing completed images must not be melted down either; each is to be distributed among temples and monasteries, and the assemblies of the temples and monasteries shall reimburse their value. The local authorities of the prefectures and counties are further directed to inspect and oversee this; it must be fully carried out within ten days of the arrival of this decree.