法苑珠林 55.43

55.43

邪惑問曰。蓋聞釋迦生於天竺。修多出自西蕃。名號無傳於周孔。功德靡稱於典謨。寔遠夷所尊敬。非中夏之師儒。廣致精舍甲第當衢。虛費金帛福利焉在。未若銷像而絕鐫鑄。貨泉可以無損。毀經以禁繕寫。廢僧以從編戶。竊謂益國利人興家多福也。

The Deluded Heterodox asked: “I have heard that Śākya was born in India and the sūtras originated among the western foreigners. Their names were never handed down by the Duke of Zhou or Confucius; their merits and virtues were never praised in the ancient canons and plans. Truly they are what distant barbarians revere, not teachers and scholars of China. Vihāras and grand mansions are built on a vast scale facing the main thoroughfares, vainly expending gold and silk; where are the blessings and benefits in this? It would be better to melt down the statues and cease carving and casting, so that currency suffers no loss; to destroy the scriptures to ban their copying, and to defrock the saṃgha to return them to the household registers. I venture to say this would enrich the state, benefit the people, prosper households, and bring abundant good fortune.”