| Chapter 1: | The Life and Times of Zanning |
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[Taizong] conferred on him a purple robe, and proceeded to change the master’s title to “Comprehensive Wisdom.” The former minister Lu Zhuya extended heartfelt courtesies [to Zanning] and repeatedly sought out his counsel. He spoke ably about the terms li (principle or noumena) and shi (phenomena) outside the Confucian context with Manager of Affairs Li Mu, who was especially respectful and courteous toward the Great Master.
(9) In the eighth year [of the taiping xingguo era] (983), [Taizong] commissioned [Zanning] to compile the Great Song Biographies of Eminent Monks, and he requested to return to his old monastery in Hangzhou; he completed it in thirty fascicles and offered it to the emperor. On the day [it was received], it was documented with the imperial seal, praising its exquisiteness. With no further need to reside [in Hangzhou], he was summoned to return to the capital. The master took up residence at Tianshou monastery. In conjunction with Manager of Affairs, Su Yijian,128 he received an imperial commission to compile the Noteworthy Achievements of the Sages and Worthies of the Three Teachings. [Su Yijian] enlisted the Great Master and the Daoist of the Hall of Highest Unity, Han Dechun, to take responsibility for their respective areas. The Great Master wrote The Record of the Sages and Worthies of Vulture Peak, as well as collecting The Noteworthy Achievements of Sages and Worthies, together totaling one hundred fascicles. He was appointed Chief Lecturer on Scriptures of the Left Precincts [of the Capital].
(10) In the inaugural year of the zhidao era (995), he was administrator of [Buddhist] Doctrinal Affairs in the Western Capital. In the inaugural year of the xianping era (998) of the current Emperor [Zhenzong], he was appointed by imperial order as Buddhist Registrar of the Right Precincts [of the Capital]. Prior to this, the former minister, Duke Wen Zhen provided a chariot for him.129 The following year (999), at seventy-one years of age, [Wen Zhen] conceived the idea to continue the Society of Nine Elders that Bai [Juyi] had perpetuated for a time.130 He enlisted the past official, the Chief Minister in the Ministry of Personnel,131 Song Qi,