破邪論 1.27

1.27

At that time, the great assembly surrounded Dharma Master Dharmaratna in several hundred layers. The Dharma Master then uttered Sanskrit sounds praising the Buddha's virtues, and also led the great assembly to acclaim the Three Jewels and praise the Dharma and Saṅgha. He spoke of the causes and conditions of the heavens, humans, and hells; or expounded the Hīnayāna Abhidharma; or explained the Mahāyāna; or taught repentance and the eradication of sins; or set forth the merits of renunciation. Thereupon Liu Shanjiun, the Minister of Works and Marquis of Yangcheng, along with officials, commoners, women, and others, generated the resolve to renounce household life. Six hundred and twenty Daoist masters from the Four Peaks and various mountains, such as Lü Huitong, renounced household life. Ninety-three people of the fifth rank and above renounced household life. One hundred and seventy-five people of the ninth rank and above, including General Pacifying the Remotest Jiang Gou'er, renounced household life. Two hundred and seventy common people under the capital’s jurisdiction, such as Zhang Zishang, renounced household life. One hundred and ninety women of Emperor Ming’s inner palace, including Lady Yin and Lady of Handsome Fairness Wang, renounced household life. One hundred and twenty-one women of the capital, such as A-Pan, renounced household life. On the sixteenth day, the Emperor, together with several hundred civil and military ministers, shaved the heads of those renouncing household life. Day after day offerings were laid out, and night after night lamps were lit, with various kinds of musical entertainment continuing until the thirtieth day. The Dharma robes, water pots, and alms bowls were all bestowed. Thereupon ten monasteries were established: seven monasteries outside the city and three monasteries inside the city. The seven monasteries housed monks, and the three monasteries housed nuns. The Buddha’s Dharma in the Han flourished from this point on.