[1] The Free Life Pond was firstly mentioned in the Great Treatise on the Perfection of Wisdom (大智度論), which read: "建德六年，齐地佛门遭劫。闻率僧众四十余循海路奔建康。辄遇大风波，楫折船沉。忽现巨龟，负众僧出水，须臾抵健康。闻口称南无阿弥陀佛。龟对曰：师父曾记否，吾乃海曲放生池之老龟也。闻恍然大悟。奏闻宣帝，帝大悦，敕建报恩寺，香火祀之。".

[1] The Free Life Pond was originate erected by Zhiyi, founder of Tiantai school, in the Sui dynasty (589–618).

[1] In 759, Emperor Suzong of the Tang dynasty (618–907) ordered all Buddhist temples to set up Free Life Pond.

[1] According to Duo Po Ming Jing (多宝名经; 多寶名經), at that time, 81 Buddhist temples set up free life ponds under the emperor's command.

[1] The Free Life Pond can regulate the air, inhibit dust, but also has the role of fire prevention.