廣弘明集 2.10

2.10

When Taizong ascended the throne, he likewise adhered to the heritage of his predecessors, erecting images in the capital and all four quarters, and commanding the śramaṇas to guide and instruct popular customs. During the Huangshi reign era, the śramaṇa Faguo of Zhao commandery, whose monastic conduct was refined and strict, expounded the scriptures of the Dharma. Taizu issued an edict summoning him to be the Śramaṇa-Superintendent to oversee and govern the monastic community; his words were mostly agreeable and fitting, and the offerings bestowed upon him were very generous. Taizong revered him even more than before. During the Yongxing reign era, he was successively granted the titles of General Assisting the State, Viscount of Yicheng, Loyal and Trustworthy Marquis, and Duke of Ancheng, but he firmly declined them all. The Emperor often visited his residence in person; because the gate was too narrow to accommodate the imperial chariot, he had it widened. At over eighty years of age, he died during the Taichang reign era. The Emperor paid personal condolences at his mourning three times and posthumously conferred on him the title of Venerable General and Spirited Duke Zhao Hu. Formerly, when Faguo was forty, he had just become a śramaṇa; he had a son named Meng, and an edict commanded that he inherit the noble ranks previously conferred upon Faguo. (The various writings recording these śramaṇas are too numerous to include.)