Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told, Chapter 194: Sanzang Sets Out
Wukong stood in the clouds. Only after his divine ape avatar saw off the Bodhisattva did he feel at ease. Indeed, Guanyin had chosen him—whether it was out of the Buddha’s guidance or Guanyin’s own decision, it didn’t matter. In any case, his participation in the quest was inevitable; it was fate.
With a somersault, he returned to Qitianling. Dayu was waiting in the cave. Upon seeing Wukong, he said, “I failed to fulfill Wukong’s request this time.” Wukong asked, “What happened?”
Dayu replied, “I sent the monstrous Yingzhao to block their path, but those two saw him and fled at once, without even fighting. Since they’ve escaped, it’s not wise to chase after them—otherwise, we’d reveal our weakness.”
Wukong smiled and said, “It’s fine. Now I understand.” It seemed that the candidates for the quest had already been chosen long ago. Otherwise, with Yingzhao’s abilities far surpassing those of Tianpeng and Juanlian, how could the Bodhisattva remain indifferent? There were so many demons and monsters along the way. If they had to be selected based on strength, it would be a daunting task for the Bodhisattva.
Though Guanyin was extremely powerful, she wasn’t omnipotent. Wukong didn’t believe she was behind the plot to replace the Tang Emperor. Guanyin had come from Mount Ling to find someone for the quest, and this plan hadn’t been in place for long. Yet many arrangements in the netherworld couldn’t be completed in just a day or two. To execute such a plan thoroughly, it must have begun hundreds of years earlier.
By now, the Bodhisattva Guanyin must have reached the Tang Dynasty in the Eastern Land. Logically, she would then select Jinchanzi from his past life, namely the current monk Chen Xuanzang, as the candidate for the quest. Before long, he would arrive at Mount Wuxing to rescue her.
Meanwhile, on Putuo Mountain in the South Sea, the Bodhisattva Guanyin, following the Buddha’s orders, gathered three helpers for the quest and even obtained a mount by chance, filling herself with joy.
She went to Chang’an City and, following the Buddha’s teachings, carefully searched for worthy candidates. She heard that Emperor Li Shimin was promoting virtue and selecting monks to hold grand water and land ceremonies. Guanyin paid close attention. Indeed, the Buddha was thorough in his plans—while she prepared candidates here, preparations for the quest were already underway there, saving her much effort.
With the water and land ceremonies underway, Guanyin naturally wanted to see the master of the ceremony.
It was the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era, the year of Jisi, on the third day of the ninth month, an auspicious day of Guimao. Inside Huasheng Temple in Chang’an, a magnificent ritual site had been built: banners fluttered in the wind, and precious canopies shone brightly. Colorful clouds filled the sky, and red lightning danced in the sunlight. Inside the site, the golden statue of the Buddha appeared kind and solemn, while the arhats had dignified faces. Immortal flowers adorned vases, and sandalwood burned in incense burners, with fragrant clouds rising straight into the heavens. Monks also took to the stage to vow to save all beings from the river of suffering.
When Guanyin saw this eminent monk on the stage, she was both astonished and delighted. The monk was tall and heroic, with a noble appearance—white teeth, red lips, a straight nose, and a square mouth, making him exceptionally handsome, almost identical in appearance to Jinchanzi, the second disciple of Buddha. She remembered how, back in the day, when Jinchanzi was taken in by Buddha, it was Guanyin who was ordered to send him to the netherworld to be reborn. How could she not recognize him? Finding Jinchanzi’s reincarnation so easily filled her with joy.
The next day, the Bodhisattva disguised herself as a wandering monk, carrying a robe and a staff, selling items along the streets. At that time, Buddhist activities were flourishing in the city, so Guanyin’s actions naturally attracted attention. Before long, word of it reached Prime Minister Xiao Yu.
Xiao Yu saw that the robe was brightly colored and clearly not an ordinary item, so he asked his subordinates how much those two treasures were worth. The Bodhisattva replied, “The robe is worth five thousand taels, and the staff is worth two thousand taels.”
Unable to decide quickly, Xiao Yu invited the Bodhisattva and Messenger Hui’an to the palace to meet the emperor.
The group entered through the Donghua Gate. The eunuchs reported their arrival, and by imperial order, they were brought to the treasure hall.
Seeing Xiao Yu leading two ragged monks at the steps, Li Shimin asked, “What are the merits of these two treasures to justify such a high price?” The Bodhisattva glanced up at the person seated on the magnificent throne and her eyes grew filled with admiration. What a great emperor! His dignity and presence were beyond description. She was shocked—she hadn’t realized the true nature of Emperor Li Shimin of Tang.
Seeing the Bodhisattva staring at him fixedly with an unhappy expression, Li Shimin asked again, “You, a monk, want to sell this robe, yet why don’t you speak?”
Startled by his shout, the Bodhisattva quickly replied, “You ask what the merits of this robe are. Let me tell you: it is spun from the silk of ice silkworms, woven by skilled artisans. Created by celestial maidens and finished by divine weavers. If a dragon wears even a strand of it, it is protected from the attacks of giant silkworms; if a crane wears a thread of it, it attains enlightenment. Wherever one sits, ten thousand gods pay homage; wherever one moves, seven Buddhas accompany them. This robe can be folded when not in use and worn only by saints. It is adorned with Ruyi pearls, Mani pearls, dust-removing pearls, and wind-stabilizing pearls, as well as red agate, purple coral, night pearls, and relics. Its whiteness rivals the moon, its redness competes with the sun. It illuminates mountains and rivers, startling tigers and leopards; its shadow affects islands, stirring fish and dragons. Wearing this robe ensures one will not sink into oblivion or fall into hell, but ordinary people cannot bear its power.”
Hearing this, Li Shimin was pleased and said, “Good! This treasure truly suits our holy monk Xuanzang.” He then ordered Xuanzang to be brought into the hall.
Following the emperor’s command, the elder unfurled the robe and put it on, then took the staff and stood at the steps. There he stood—a peerlessly handsome monk, dressed in this precious robe, exuding great dignity and elegance, as if a living Buddha had descended to earth.
As the officials and soldiers in the court cheered, King Tang was overjoyed as well. He ordered Master Xuanzang to put on his robe, take his sacred staff, and have the officials see him off at the palace gates to return to the temple. When it came to giving him gold and silver, the Bodhisattva said, “This treasure is meant only for those destined to receive it. Since our dynasty has such a holy monk, there is no need for payment. Seeing Your Majesty’s virtue and respect for Buddhism, and knowing that this eminent monk is virtuous and dedicated to spreading the Dharma, it is only right to give it to him without asking for money.” King Tang was delighted and arranged a vegetarian banquet in his honor. The Bodhisattva stayed in the palace for a few days, refusing to leave, and even had Hui’an deliver food and drinks to her room. She racked her brains trying to figure out King Tang’s background but came to no conclusion, growing more cautious. The Tathagata had ordered her to come to the Eastern Land to spread the Dharma—why then was someone else secretly acting, quietly replacing the Tang emperor with someone of her own choosing? Though this act seemed to help her, she still harbored doubts. As for who this fake emperor was, among the Buddhas in the West, aside from the Lamp-Burning Buddha, the Medicine Buddha, the Tathagata, and Maitreya, it was hard to find any who were superior to her. These four held lofty status—how could they do such a thing? She lost her appetite, pondering endlessly. Even the all-knowing Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was now at a loss. In the blink of an eye, the seven-day Water and Land Festival arrived. On that day, Emperor Taizong led many officials, nobles, and consorts to Hua Sheng Temple in Chang’an. People of all ranks in Chang’an gathered at the temple to listen to the teachings, crowding it so tightly that not a single person could get in. When the time came, the sound of chanting filled the air. Xuanzang, dressed in his precious robe, sat on the dais and began to preach the Dharma. After listening for a while, the Bodhisattva cut through the crowd, went straight to the dais, and slapped it to stop Xuanzang, saying, “You monk only know the teachings of Hinayana. How can such superficial teachings enable you to perform salvation?” Hearing this, Xuanzang replied joyfully, “Elderly master, I am foolish and lack insight. I have only studied Hinayana teachings. I did not know there are other profound Buddhist teachings in the world. I earnestly ask for your guidance.” The Bodhisattva said, “Your Hinayana teachings cannot save the dead or lift them to a higher realm; they can only deceive the common people. I possess the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism, which can elevate the dead to heaven, rescue those in distress, cultivate an infinite lifespan, and achieve a state of no birth or death. Would you like to learn it?” Xuanzang replied eagerly, “Of course I would like to learn it. But I don’t know where to start. Please guide me, master.” As Xuanzang stopped preaching, the officials in charge of the ceremony quickly reported to King Tang, “The master is preaching the wonderful Dharma, but he is being interrupted by a wandering monk. Now they are engaging in idle talk.” Without even lifting his eyes, King Tang ordered the Bodhisattva to be captured. Avalokiteshvara and Xuanzang were both brought inside.
The Tang King still recognized him and said, “Are you the monk who brought the kasaya the other day?” The Bodhisattva replied, “Indeed.” The Tang King said, “Since you’ve come here to listen to the teachings, you should simply eat some vegetarian food. Why do you disrupt the scripture hall by talking nonsense and interfere with my Buddhist rituals?”
The Bodhisattva said, “Your monk preaches the teachings of Hinayana, which cannot help the dead ascend to heaven. I possess the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism, which can save the dead from suffering and grant eternal life.”
The Tang King asked seriously, “Where is this Mahayana Buddhism?”
The Bodhisattva replied, “It is at the Great Thunder Sound Temple in Tianzhu Country, in the Western Heavens, where my Buddha Tathagata resides. It can resolve all kinds of grievances and eliminate unjust calamities.”
The Tang King asked, “What are the wonders of this Mahayana Buddhism? If you remember, please try to explain a few points.”
The Bodhisattva said, “This humble monk naturally remembers.” Then the Bodhisattva took Muci with her, soared on auspicious clouds to the highest heavens, and revealed her true form as a being who rescues from suffering, holding a pure vase and willow branches in her hands. A radiant glow surrounded her, and amidst the splendid lights in the heavens, a woman appeared.
The Bodhisattva radiated divine splendor, her whole body glowing. Who could fail to recognize her as the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva? Tens of thousands in Chang’an city worshipped her, including Master Xuanzang. Only the Tang King stood there arrogantly, completely indifferent to her.
The Bodhisattva naturally knew that the Tang King was still on the ground, and this only strengthened her belief that his status was extraordinary, on par with hers. She flew up to a high platform, gently opened her red lips, and recited several passages from the Mahayana teachings. Indeed, the Bodhisattva was immensely powerful; the sound of her teachings filled Chang’an, and birds flew among the clouds.
After a while, when she finished imparting the teachings, she lightly took the messenger Hui’an on the auspicious clouds and flew southward.
Meanwhile, a message fell before Master Xuanzang in mid-air. It read, “Ten thousand eight hundred miles to the west, the wonderful teachings of Mahayana await the right person. The Tripitaka scriptures surpass humans and ghosts; those who achieve enlightenment will obtain a golden body.”
Xuanzang brought this message to the Tang King and bowed, saying, “Thanks to Your Majesty’s kindness, this humble monk has traveled far to the Western Heavens to obtain the true Tripitaka of Mahayana, so as to ensure the eternal prosperity of our kingdom!”
The Tang King was pleased and said, “Master Xuanzang is truly dedicated. Since the Bodhisattva has manifested her power, the true scriptures must be real. If you can obtain them, I am willing to become brothers with you!”
Xuanzang was deeply grateful and said, “What merits or abilities do I have to deserve such divine favor? I will surely do my utmost to reach the Western Heavens. If I fail to obtain the true scriptures, I will not return until my death and will forever be lost in suffering!”
Hearing Xuanzang’s solemn vow, the Tang King was secretly delighted. He then offered incense before the Buddha, and the two brothers swore an oath. The Tang King addressed him as “my holy brother monk” and immediately ordered preparations for the journey to obtain the scriptures.
Early the next morning, the Imperial Observatory reported that an auspicious day for the journey had arrived. The Tang King then convened all civil and military officials, prepared the official documents for the journey, sealed them with the imperial seal, and handed them to Xuanzang.
A purple-gold alms bowl was given to Xuanzang, with the words, “This bowl is a treasure of the nation. May it help you avoid hunger and cold on your journey.” Xuanzang took two attendants, and clothes for both winter and summer were prepared for him.
The Tang emperor set out in his carriage to see Xuanzang and his group off outside Chang’an City. He then asked, “You have no courtesy name. I heard from the Bodhisattva that the Mahayana scriptures from the Western Heaven are divided into three collections. How about you use the name of one of these collections as your courtesy name? That would show your firm determination to obtain the scriptures.” Xuanzang thanked the emperor again for bestowing such a name upon him.
The emperor ordered wine to be brought and said, “Let us drink this farewell wine together as brothers.”
Xuanzang replied, “Your Majesty, I have been a vegetarian since birth and have never drunk alcohol.” Emperor Taizong said, “Today is different from usual. This is just vegetarian wine. Drink only this one cup to fulfill my wishes in seeing you off.”
Xuanzang did not dare refuse. He took the wine and was about to drink when he saw Emperor Taizong bow his head, pick up a pinch of dust with his finger, and sprinkle it into the wine.
Not understanding the intention, Xuanzang looked on in confusion. Emperor Taizong smiled and said, “Brother, once you go to the Western Heaven, when will you be able to return?”
Xuanzang replied, “It will only take three years before I return to my homeland.”
Emperor Taizong said, “As time passes and the journey is long, remember this wine: It is better to cherish a pinch of soil from your hometown than ten thousand taels of gold in a foreign land.” Only then did Xuanzang understand the meaning behind the dust. He thanked the emperor again, drank the wine, and bid farewell before leaving.
This is indeed the story of leaving behind the imperial court to head west, adhering to the teachings and realizing the greatness of emptiness. Along the journey to the West, many events unfold—the impure remain impure, while the pure remain pure.