大宋僧史略 2.28

2.28

西域之法推重其人。內外攸同。正邪俱有。昔尼犍子信婆羅門法。國王封為國師。內則學通三藏。兼達五明。舉國歸依。乃彰斯號。聲教東漸。唯北齊有高僧法常。初演毘尼。有聲鄴下。後講涅槃。并受禪數。齊王崇為國師。國師之號自常公始也。殆陳隋之代。有天台知顗禪師。為陳宣隋煬菩薩戒師。故時號國師（即無封署）至則天朝。神秀領徒荊州。召入京師。中睿玄四朝皆號為國師。後有禪門慧忠。肅代之時。入宮禁中。說禪觀法。亦號國師。元和中。勅署知玄。曰悟達國師。若偏霸之國。則蜀後主賜右街僧錄光業。為祐聖國師。吳越稱德韶為國師。江南唐國署文遂為國大導師也（導師之名而含二義。若法華經中。商人白導師。言此即引路指述也。若唱導之師。此即表白也。故宋衡陽王鎮江陵。因齋會無有導師。請曇光為導。及明帝設會。見光唱導稱善。勅賜三衣瓶鉢焉）。

In the methods of the Western Regions, high respect is accorded to such persons. This is the same for both inner and outer traditions, and exists for both the orthodox and the heterodox. In the past, a Nirgrantha who believed in Brahmanical teachings was enfeoffed as National Preceptor by his king. For the inner [tradition], one whose learning penetrates the Tripiṭaka, who also masters the five sciences, and to whom the entire realm takes refuge—only then is this title manifested. As the vocal teachings gradually spread east, in the Northern Qi there was only the eminent monk Fachang: he initially expounded the vinaya, gaining fame in Ye; later he lectured on the Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra and received instructions on meditation and computation. The king of Qi venerated him as National Preceptor; the title of National Preceptor began with Master Chang. Coming down to the Chen and Sui dynasties, there was Dhyāna Master Zhiyi of Tiantai, who served as Bodhisattva-precept Master for Emperor Xuan of the Chen and Emperor Yang of the Sui; thus at that time he was called National Preceptor (though without formal enfeoffment or appointment). By the court of Zetian, Shenxiu led disciples in Jingzhou and was summoned into the capital; under the four reigns of Zhong[zong], Rui[zong], and Xuan[zong], he was always called National Preceptor. Later there was Huizhong of the Chan school; during the Suzong and Daizong eras, he entered the imperial palace to preach the methods of Chan contemplation, and was also called National Preceptor. In the Yuanhe era, an imperial edict appointed Zhixuan, designating him National Preceptor Wuda. As for regional hegemonic kingdoms: the Last Ruler of Shu granted Guangye, Buddhist Registrar of the Right Street, the title National Preceptor Yousheng; Wuyue called Deshao National Preceptor; and the Southern Tang kingdom appointed Wensui as Grand Guide of the State. (The title "Guide" embodies two meanings: as in the Lotus Sūtra, where merchants address the guide, this refers to leading the way and directing; or as in masters who chant and lead, this refers to public declaration. Thus when King Hengyang of the Song governed Jiangling, because there was no guide at a vegetarian feast, he invited Tanguang to act as guide; and when Emperor Ming held an assembly, he saw that Guang chanted and led with excellence, and imperially bestowed upon him three robes, a water flask, and an alms bowl.)