釋氏要覽 1.104

1.104

僧史略云。西域昔有尼犍子。學通三藏。兼達五明。舉國歸依。乃彰斯號。此土則比齊高僧法常演毘尼涅槃。通禪法。齊主崇為國師。此為始也。唐神秀自則天召入。歷四朝號國師。慧忠肅代二朝入內說禪。號國師。元和中勅署知玄曰悟達國師（玄五歲便能吟詩。出家為沙彌。年十四講涅槃經。時李商隱有詩贈云。十四沙彌解講經。似師年幾只携鉼。沙彌說法沙門聽。不在年高在性靈）。若偏霸之國。則蜀後主賜僧錄光業為祐聖國師。吳越稱天台德韶為國師。江南署文遂為國大導師（如廣知請讀僧史略）。

The Brief History of the Saṅgha says: Formerly in the Western Regions there was a Nirgrantha-putra who thoroughly mastered the Tripiṭaka and also penetrated the five sciences. The entire country took refuge in him, whereupon this title became renowned. In this land, it began with the eminent monk Fachang of the Northern Qi, who expounded the vinaya and nirvāṇa, and was versed in the methods of dhyāna; the Lord of Qi revered him as National Preceptor. In the Tang, Shenxiu was summoned by Zetian and was titled National Preceptor across four reigns. Huizhong entered the inner palace during the two reigns of Suzong and Daizong to preach Chan, and was titled National Preceptor. In the Yuanhe era, an imperial decree appointed Zhixuan as National Preceptor Wuda (at the age of five Xuan could compose poetry; he went forth as a śrāmaṇera, and at age fourteen lectured on the Nirvāṇa Sūtra. At that time Li Shangyin presented him with a poem saying: 'A fourteen-year-old śrāmaṇera understands how to lecture on sūtras; / older monks only carry the water-pitcher. / The śrāmaṇera preaches the Dharma while the śramaṇas listen; / greatness lies not in advanced years but in spiritual intelligence'). As for the separate hegemonies: the Latter Ruler of Shu bestowed upon the Recorder of the Saṅgha Guangye the title National Preceptor Yousheng. Wuyue addressed Deshao of Tiantai as National Preceptor. The Southern Tang appointed Wensui as Grand Leader of the State (for wider knowledge, please read the Brief History of the Saṅgha).