辯正論 6.136

6.136

The Records of Wei states: 'Tuoba Tao followed the discourse of Cui [Hao] and Kou [Qianzhi] and thereupon destroyed the Dharma, thoroughly demolishing statues, burning scriptures, and driving the saṃgha to return to lay life. On New Year's Day, [Tanshi] stood at the city gate holding his monastic staff and wearing his Dharma robes. The gatekeeper reported this to Tao, and Tao ordered him beheaded. Three blows were struck, but Shi was unharmed. The executioner reported this to Tao, and Tao personally took his own girdle blade, yet struck him again as before without harming him. He then cast Shi into the tiger pit, but the tigers closed their eyes and lowered their heads. Tao then tested placing the Heavenly Master [Kou Qianzhi] beside the pit, and the tigers roared, wanting to devour him. Tao then knew that the Buddhist transformation was pure and lofty, far beyond the reach of Huang-Lao. He invited Shi to take the seat of honour and apologized for his fault.' Daolin ascended the couch of the Jin ruler; in the Qin era, Dao'an had the glory of sharing the imperial carriage; in the Zhao state, the Master [Fotudeng] was favoured with an abundance of brocade robes. The Book of Fu states: 'When the Lord of Fu went on an excursion, he commanded Master An to sit with him in the carriage.' The Gaoseng zhuan states: 'Shi Hu titled Master Deng the Great Upādhyāya, clothed him in brocade and embroidery, and whenever he went up into the hall, ordered all the princes and dukes downward to support his palanquin.' These are cases where the Dao was lowered to the utmost sovereign, and virtue turned the heart of the lord of ten thousand chariots. Indeed, there was good reason for this! The arts of Huang-Lao have never been able to compete since ancient times: Fei Cai lost his life trying to vie for supremacy, and Cui Hao perished through depravity and slander.