釋氏要覽 3.316

3.316

Nowadays, worldly people cherish their young children, so they clothe them in monastic garments, calling it "entrusting the habit." The Kaiyuan Buddhist Catalogue of the Great Tang states: "This originated when Emperor Zhongzong, Xiaohuandi, was newly born with remarkable portents: a divine light filled the courtyard, illuminating the sky from the courtyard. Thus he was titled Prince Foguang ('Buddha-Light'). He promptly received the three refuges and donned the kāṣāya robe. When the full month arrived on the fifth day of the twelfth month, an imperial decree ordained seven monks on behalf of Prince Foguang, and further invited Dharma Master Xuanzang to shave the Prince's hair."