大宋僧史略 3.29

3.29

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!