大宋僧史略 2.20

2.20

When the Wei ruler moved the capital, he took the surname Yuan; the clothing worn by the barbarian clans was entirely transformed into Chinese elegance, and regarding the gateway of Indian Sanskrit texts, many projects of reform and alteration were carried out. One day, Emperor Xiaowen issued an edict stating: 'The Chancellery has recently received a memorial from the Lord Registrar and others, learning that the Chief Controller of Śramaṇas should be settled early. Of late, examining virtue and selecting the worthy, I have laboured with diligent mind day and night; yet as for succeeding to the charge of the Buddha, I knew not upon whom to rely. Some are lofty in the Way and venerable in years, free in principle from entanglements; some have vast capacity and understanding, holding themselves far above worldly affairs. Now the Dharma Master Sengxian, abbot of Siyuan Temple, may by edict be made Chief Controller of Śramaṇas.' Upon detailed investigation, Emperor Wen of the Wei decreed Tanyao to be Chief Controller of Śramaṇas, which in fact began with Master Yao. Yao was honoured by the emperor as his master and titled Zhaoxuan Chief Controller of Śramaṇas. Rejoicing in the revival of the Buddha's Dharma, he carved stones to create images and translated the *Jingtu sanmei jing* (Pure Land Samādhi Sūtra), the *Fu fazang zhuan* (Account of the Transmission of the Dharmapiṭaka), and so forth; it was this master. Under the Qi, Fashang was made Zhaoxuan Controller, and Fashun was made Chief of Śramaṇas. However, although 'Chief' is a title of general superintendence (the offices of the nine ministers mostly used the word 'Chief' to indicate general superintendence), it was one grade below the Controller. Furthermore, the monk Narendrayaśas of the Udyāna country (translated into Sui [Chinese] as Zuncheng, 'Venerable Fame') had previously also served in the Qi state as Zhaoxuan Controller. Why were there so many Controllers and Chiefs in the era of the Northern Qi? The answer is: at that time ten posts were established, with one Controller and one Chief serving as principal and deputy, hence they were numerous. The Great Sui, receiving the mandate, also used the title of Controller, beginning with Tanyan as Grand Zhaoxuan Controller of Śramaṇas (separately adding the word 'Grand'); next, Dharma Master Lingzang served as abbot of Daxingshan Temple and was soon appointed Zhaoxuan Chief. In the leap first month of the first year of the Yuanhe era of Tang Muzong (806 CE), the monk Weiying of Longxing Temple was appointed Erudite Awaiting Orders in the Hanlin Academy concurrently with Controller of the Saṃgha of the Two Streets. Ying had formed ties inside and outside the palace, and used divination to delude people, hence this order was issued; soon after, considering it unsuitable, it was abolished. From the Liang of Zhu [Wen], the Later Tang, Jin, Han, and Zhou down to the present Great Song, all have used the Registrar and none the Controller. Regional hegemonic circuits occasionally had private appointments; for instance, Wuyue made Lingyin Controller of the Saṃgha, but subsequently, in avoidance of arrogant usurpation, it was soon demoted to the title of Rectifier of the Saṃgha. Those usurping and illegitimate states all titled [their officials] Buddhist Registrar.