大宋僧史略 3.16

3.16

Those who leave household life look toward the five stages to ascend in grade; those who attain the path transform the two bases to achieve the fruit. Daring to speak of the next: pratyekabuddhas and arhats realize attainment through the four fruits in a single sitting, and reveal their titles across three lifetimes and a hundred kalpas. These are the grades and ranks of the noble and wise. One should cultivate the karma of selection and take these extraordinary categories! Yet in the Chinese customs of Cīnasthāna, they bind the worthy with fine nobility, honoring them according to what [the world] honors. Formerly, the Later Northern Wei appointed the śramaṇa Faguo of Zhao Commandery as Controller of Śramaṇas; deeming offerings and donations insufficient, they further assigned him official rank, bestowing upon him the title of General Assisting the State, Master of Yicheng, and Marquis of Zhongxin, and soon after advanced him to the ducal rank of Duke of Ancheng. The enfeoffment of the disciples of Śākya with official ranks began with Faguo. The Liang dynasty appointed Huichao as an Academician of the Shouguang Hall, and Lu Fahe held extremely high official posts. The Northern Zhou selected those whose scholarship was superior and abundant among monks and Daoists to serve as Academicians of the Tongdao Daoist Monastery, additionally altering their clothing colors. The Sui dynasty appointed Yancong as an Academician of the Sūtra Translation Hall. In the second year of the Shenlong era of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang, Shenggshan Monastery was completed; Huifan, Huizhen, Fazang, Daxing, Huiji, Yuanbi, Renfang, Chongxian, and Jinguo—nine persons—were awarded fifth rank and made Court Gentlemen for Consultation and District Dukes. Their chambers, utensils, and provisions were provided exactly like those of regular official posts, on account of their merit in constructing the great image. Soon after, Huifan was further elevated to Grand Master of Proper Demeanor and Commandery Duke of Shangyong; the Vihārasvāmin of Shengshan Monastery reached the rank of Grand Master of the Silver and Blue with Glorious Golden Seal, and his stipends, provisions, and chambers were all provided on par with substantive officials. Furthermore, the Vihārasvāmin of Anle Monastery, monk Wansui, was made Court Gentleman for Consultation and enfeoffed as a District Duke; the stipends of the Chief Karmadāna of Shengshan Monastery were also provided on par with substantive officials, on account of completing the construction of the image. Furthermore, the śramaṇa Kuoqing served as Commissioner for Cultivating Merit and Acting Director of the Palace Domestic Service. Next, when Emperor Xuanzong divined the pacification of inner turmoil, the monk Qingrun was enfeoffed with official rank of the third grade; the monk who cured Prince Ning's illness was granted a scarlet robe. Emperor Daizong advanced Tripiṭaka Master Amoghavajra to Palace Attendant with the Grand Equerry Title (Kaifu Yitong Sansi) and Duke of the State of Su. The peak of official rank and nobility belonged solely to Amoghavajra.