續集古今佛道論衡 1.39

1.39

Hearing this single statement from the Dharma Master, the Emperor's resolve grew even greater. He then took leave of the Dharma Master and entered the city, ordering the authorities to prepare offerings and provide a vegetarian feast, and commanding all civil and military officials, both inside and outside [the court], of the fifth rank and above, to assemble completely at Baima Temple at dawn on the fifteenth day. On the thirteenth day, outside the south gate of Baima Temple, inside the lane east of the road, the Daoist masters set up three altars from east to west. Each altar opened twenty-four gates. On the western altar they placed the scriptures of the Taishang Lingbao Celestial Worthy, totaling 369 fascicles. On the central altar they placed the books of the various philosophers, Huang-Lao, and others, comprising twenty-seven schools, totaling 235 fascicles. On the eastern altar they placed food and libations to sacrifice to the hundred spirits. On the fourteenth day, the Emperor set up a traveling palace of the seven jewels some paces west of the road at the south gate of Baima Temple, where he placed the Buddha's śarīra as well as Buddhist scriptures and images. At dawn on the fifteenth day, the great assembly gathered completely, and by the hour of *si* [9–11 a.m.] the vegetarian feast had concluded.