Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/160

Rh sent for the Oho-omi, and gave command, saying:—"The man who has entered religion should be devoted to the Three Precious Things, and should cherish devoutly the prohibitions of the Buddhist law. How can he without compunction be readily guilty of crime? We now hear that there is a priest who has struck his grandfather. Therefore, let all the priests and nuns of the various temples be assembled, and investigation made. Let severe punishment be inflicted on any who are convicted of offences." Hereupon the priests and nuns were all assembled, and an examination held. The wicked priests and nuns were all about to be punished, when Kwal-leuk, a Buddhist priest of Pèkché, presented a memorial, as follows:—"The law of Buddha came from the Western Country to Han. Three hundred years later it was handed on to Pèkché, since which time barely one hundred years had elapsed, when Our King, hearing that the Emperor of Nippon was a wise man, sent him tribute of an image of Buddha and of Buddhist Sutras. Since that time, less than one hundred years have passed, and consequently the priests and nuns have not yet learned the Buddhist laws, and readily commit wickedness. On this account all the priests and nuns are afraid, and do not know what to do. I humbly pray that with the exception of the wicked (priest who struck his grandfather) all the other priests and nuns may be pardoned and not punished. That would be a work of great merit."

Accordingly the Empress granted (his petition).

13th day. A decree was made as follows:—"If even the priests continue to offend against the law, wherewithal shall the laymen be admonished? Therefore from this time forward we appoint a Sōjō and a Sōdzu for the superintendence of the priests and nuns."

17th day. The priest Kwal-leuk was appointed Sōjō, and Kurabe no Tokuseki was made Sōdzu. On the same day Adzumi no Muraji was made Hōto.

Autumn, 9th month, 3rd day. There was an inspection of the temples, and of the priests and nuns, and an accurate record made of the circumstances of the building of the