Entry

The Censor Chen Tian-xiang, regional inspector of Yun-nan, advised: "In Yun-nan, there are the two religions of A-zha-li and Duo-xi-bo and they have several hundred followers. They do not shave their heads, nor do they abstain from meat and wine. They are like monks, but are not monks. They have primary and secondary wives and also have children. Claiming that they are praying to the Buddha, they summon honorable women and engage in obscene activities which have a depraving influence. During the Xuan-de reign (1426-35), these persons gave great bribes to the eunuchs, who evilly deceived the Court. As a result, these persons were appointed to posts as Buddhist Superiors (都綱都紀) and seals were cast for them. This has continued until today and they remain firmly entrenched. It is requested that the relevant offices be ordered to strip them of their posts and recover the seals. They should be removed from their offices and be made subject to military and civilian requisitioned service. In this way, their obscene and disgusting practices will be reduced or eliminated." It was ordered that the relevant offices take note of this.