大宋僧史略 3.29

3.29

緬想前朝度僧相繼所開壇法無不利他。俄有澆時乃求利國。雖是權宜之制。終招負處之殃。今序少端用遮後世。唐肅宗在靈武。新立百度惟艱。最闕軍須。因成詭計。時宰臣裴冕隨駕至扶風。奏下令賣官鬻度。僧尼道士以軍儲為務。人有不願。科令就之。其價益賤事轉成弊。鬻度僧道。自冕始也。後諸征鎮尤而效焉。如徐州王智興奏置戒壇於臨淮佛寺。先納錢後與度。至有輸賄後不受法者多矣。李德祐在潤州。具奏其事云。自唐末已來。諸侯角立。稍闕軍須。則召度僧尼道士先納財。謂之香水錢。後給公牒云。念此為弊事。復毀法門吁哉。

Reflecting on previous dynasties, the platform procedures successively inaugurated for ordaining monks were without exception intended to benefit others. Suddenly, in a degenerate age, they came to seek profit for the state. Although this was a makeshift measure, it ultimately brought the calamity of incurring debt. I now outline a few instances to warn future generations. When Emperor Suzong of the Tang was at Lingwu, all institutional affairs were newly established with great difficulty, and military provisions were in the direst shortage, so a devious scheme was devised. At that time, Chief Minister Pei Mian accompanied the imperial retinue to Fufeng and memorialized to issue an order to sell official titles and monastic certificates (dudie), using monks, nuns, and Daoist priests to provide for military stores. If anyone was unwilling, they were conscripted and compelled to comply. As the price became cheaper, the practice increasingly turned into an abuse. Selling ordinations to monks and Daoists began with Pei Mian. Later, the various military commands emulated it with even greater excess. For example, Wang Zhixing of Xuzhou memorialized to establish an ordination platform at Linhuai Buddhist Monastery, where cash had to be paid first before ordination was granted, to the point that there were many who, after paying bribes, did not receive the Dharma. Li Deyou, while in Runzhou, reported the matter in detail, saying: 'Ever since the late Tang, regional lords have stood locked in rivalry; whenever military provisions run short, they summon monks, nuns, and Daoist priests for ordination, requiring them to submit wealth in advance—calling it "perfumed water money"—and only afterward issuing official certificates.' Reflecting that this was an abuse and furthermore ruined the Dharma-gate, how lamentable!