Journey To The West, Chapter 99: 9 x 9 Ends The Count And Mara Is All Destroyed, The Work Of 3 x 3 done, The Tao Reverts To Its Root.
We shall not speak of the 8 Vajra Guardians male gods escorting Tang Tripitaka Monk back to his nation. We turn instead to those Protectors Of The 5 Quarters,
the 4 Sentinels, the 6 Gods Of Darkness and the 6 Gods Of Light,and
the Guardians Of Monasteries, who appeared before the triple gates and
said to the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god, “Your disciples had received the
Bodhisattva Guanyin female god’s dharma decree to give secret protection to the sage monk Tang Tripitaka. Now that
the work of the sage monk Tang Tripitaka is completed, and the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god has returned
the Buddhist Patriarch Shakyamuni Buddha male god’s golden decree to him as completed, we too request permission
from the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god to return your dharma decree to you as completed.”
Highly pleased also, the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god said, “Yes, yes! You have my
permission.” Then she asked, “What was the disposition of the 4 pilgrims
during their journey?”
“They showed genuine devotion and determination,” replied the
various male gods, “which could hardly have escaped the penetrating observation
of the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god. The Tang Tripitaka Monk, after all, had endured unspeakable
sufferings. Indeed, all the ordeals that he had to undergo throughout his
journey have been recorded by your disciples. Here is the complete account.”
The Bodhisattva Guanyin female god started to read the registry from its beginning, and this was
the content,
The Protectors male gods in obedience to your decree,
Record with care Tang Tripitaka Monk's calamities,
Gold Cicada banished is the 1st ordeal (chapter 8),
Being almost killed after birth is the 2nd ordeal (chapter 9),
Being thrown in the river hardly a month old is the 3rd ordeal (chapter 9),
Seeking parents and getting revenge for them is the 4th ordeal (chapter 9),
Meeting a tiger after leaving the city is the 5th ordeal (chapter 13),
Falling into a pit and losing followers is the 6th ordeal (chapter 13),
The Double Fork Ridge is the 7th ordeal (chapter 13),
The Mountain Of 2 Frontiers is the 8th ordeal (chapter 13),
Changing horse at a steep brook is the 9th ordeal (chapter 15),
Burning by fire during the night is the 10th ordeal (chapter 16),
Losing the cassock is the 11th ordeal (chapter 16),
Bringing 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability to submission is the 12th ordeal (chapters 18 to 19),
Being blocked by the Yellow Wind Villain is the 13th ordeal (chapter 20),
Seeking the help of Lingji is the 14th ordeal (chapter 21),
Hard to cross Flowing Sand is the 15th ordeal (chapter 22),
Taking in Sandy Understand Purity Monk is the 16th ordeal (chapter 22),
The 4 Sages gods’ appearance is the 17th ordeal (chapter 23),
The 5 Villages Temple is the 18th ordeal (chapter 24),
The ginseng tree hard to revive is the 19th ordeal (chapter 26),
Banishing the Mind Monkey Sun Understand Emptiness is the 20th ordeal (chapter 27),
Getting lost at Black Pine Forest is the 21st ordeal (chapter 28),
Sending a letter to Precious Image Kingdom is the 22nd ordeal (chapter 29),
Being changed into a tiger at the Golden Chimes Hall is the 23rd ordeal (chapter 30),
Meeting evil creatures at Level Top Mountain is the 24th ordeal (chapter 32),
Being hung high at Lotus Flower Cave is the 25th ordeal (chapter 33),
Saving the ruler of Black Rooster Kingdom is the 26th ordeal (chapter 37),
Encountering the evil creature's transformed body is the 27th ordeal (chapter 37),
Meeting a villain in Roaring Mountain is the 28th ordeal (chapter 40),
The sage monk Tang Tripitaka abducted by wind is the 29th ordeal (chapter 40),
The Mind Monkey Sun Understand Emptiness being injured is the 30th ordeal (chapter 41),
Asking Bodhisattva Guanyin female god to subdue the evil creatures is the 31st ordeal (chapter 42),
Sinking in the Black River is the 32nd ordeal (chapter 43),
Difficulties at Cart Slow Kingdom is the 33rd ordeal (chapter 44),
A mighty contest is the 34th ordeal [chapters 45 to 46),
Expelling Taoists to prosper Buddhists is the 35th ordeal (chapter 47),
Encountering great water on the path is the 36th ordeal (chapter 47),
Falling into the Heaven Reaching River is the 37th ordeal (chapter 48),
The Fish Basket revealing the true form of the evil creature is the 38th ordeal (chapter 49),
Meeting a villain at Golden Helmet Mountain is the 39th ordeal (chapter 50),
Heaven's gods find it hard to win is the 40th ordeal (chapters 51 to 52),
Asking Shakyamuni Buddha male god for the origin of the villain is the 41st ordeal (chapter 52),
Being pregnant after drinking water is the 42nd ordeal (chapter 53),
Detained for marriage at Western Liang Kingdom is the 43rd ordeal (chapter 54),
Suffering at the Cave Of The Pipa is the 44th ordeal (chapter 55),
Banishing again the Mind Monkey Sun Understand Emptiness is the 45th ordeal (chapter 56),
The macaque creature hard to distinguish is the 46th ordeal (chapsters 57 to 58),
The road blocked at the Mountain Of Flames is the 47th ordeal (chapter 59),
Seeking the palm leaf fan is the 48th ordeal (chapters 59 to 60),
Binding the evil creature king is the 49th ordeal (chapter 61),
Sweeping the pagoda at Sacrifice Kingdom is the 50th ordeal (chapter 62),
Recovering the treasure to save the monks is the 51st ordeal (chapter 63),
Chanting poetry at the Brambled Forest is the 52nd ordeal (chapter 64),
Meeting disaster at Little Thunderclap is the 53rd ordeal (chapter 65),
The heaven gods captured is the 54th ordeal (chapter 66),
Being blocked by filth at Pulpy Persimmon Alley is the 55th ordeal (chapter 67),
Applying medication at the Scarlet Purple Kingdom is the 56th ordeal (chapters 68 to 69),
Healing fatigue and infirmity is the 57th ordeal (chapters 68 to 69),
Subduing a creature to recover a queen is the 58th ordeal (chapters 69 to 71),
Delusion by the 7 passions is the 59th ordeal (chapter 72),
Being wounded by Many Eyes evil creature is the 60th ordeal (chapter 73),
The way blocked at the Lion Camel Kingdom is the 61st ordeal (chapters 74 to 75),
Encountering evil creatures of 3 types is the 62nd ordeal (chapters 74 to 77),
Meeting calamity in the city is the 63rd ordeal (chapters 76 to 77),
Requesting Shakyamuni Buddha male god to subdue the evil creatures is the 64th ordeal (chapter 77),
Rescuing the lads at Bhiksu is the 65th ordeal (chapter 78),
Distinguishing the true from the false form is the 66th ordeal (chapter 79),
Saving a villain at a pine forest is the 67th ordeal (chapter 80),
Falling sick in a monk chamber is the 68th ordeal (chapter 81),
Being imprisoned at the Bottomless Cave is the 69th ordeal (chapters 81 to 83),
Difficulty in going through Dharma Destroying Kingdom is the 70th ordeal (chapter 84),
Meeting evil creatures at Mist Concealing Mountain is the 71st ordeal (chapters 85 to 86),
Seeking rain at Phoenix God Prefecture is the 72nd ordeal (chapter 87),
Losing their weapons is the 73rd ordeal (chapter 88),
The festival of the rake is the 74th ordeal (chapter 89),
Meeting disaster at Bamboo Knot Mountain is the 75th ordeal (chapter 90),
Suffering at Mysterious Flower Cave is the 76th ordeal (chapter 91),
Capturing the rhinoceros evil creatures is the 77th ordeal (chapter 92),
Being forced to marry at India is the 78th ordeal (chapters 93 to 95),
Jailed at Bronze Estrade Prefecture is the 79th ordeal (chapter 97),
Delivered from mortal frame at Cloud Transcending Ferry is the 80th ordeal (chapter 98).
The journey: 108,000 miles.
The sage monk Tang Tripitaka's ordeals are clearly on file.
After the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god had read through the entire registry of ordeals, she
said hurriedly, “Within our gate of Buddhism, 9 x 9 is the
crucial means by which one returns to perfection. The sage monk Tang Tripitaka has
undergone 80 ordeals. Because 1 ordeal is still lacking, therefore the
sacred number is not yet complete.”
At once she gave this order to one of the Protectors male gods: “Go to the Vajra
Guardians and create 1 more ordeal.” Having received this command,
the Protector male god soared toward the east riding the clouds. After a night and
a day he caught sight of the 8 Vajra Guardians and whispered in their ears, “Do this
and this ...! Don’t fail to obey the dharma decree of the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god.” On
hearing these words, the 8 Vajra Guardians male gods immediately retrieved the
wind that had borne aloft the 4 pilgrims, dropping them and the dragon prince horse
bearing the scriptures to the ground. Alas! Truly such is,
9 x 9, hard task to godhood!
Firmness of will yields the mysterious key.
By bitter toil you must the demons spurn;
Cultivation will the proper way return.
Regard not the scriptures as easy things.
So many are the sage monk's sufferings!
Learn of the old, wondrous Kinship Of The 3:
Elixir will not gel if there is slight errancy.
When his feet touched profane ground, Tang Tripitaka became terribly
frightened. 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, however, roared with laughter, saying, “Good! Good!
Good! This is exactly a case of ‘More haste, less speed’!”
“Good! Good! Good!” said Sandy Understand Purity Monk. “Because we have speeded up too
much, they want us to take a little rest here.” “Have no worry,’ said the Great
Sage Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness. “As the proverb says,
For 10 days you sit on the shore,
In 1 day you may pass 9 beaches.”
“Stop matching your wits, you 3!” said Tang Tripitaka. “Let us see if we can
tell where we are.” Looking all around, Sandy Understand Purity Monk said, “I know the place! I
know the place! Master Tang Tripitaka, listen to the sound of water!”
Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness said, “The sound of water, I suppose, reminds you of your
ancestral home.” “Which is the Flowing Sand River,” said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. “No! No!”
said Sandy Understand Purity Monk. “This happens to be the Heaven Reaching River.”
Tang Tripitaka said, “Oh Disciples! Take a careful look and see which side of the river
we are on.”
Vaulting into the air, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understanding Emptiness shielded his eyes with his hand and took a
careful survey of the place before dropping down once more. “Master Tang Tripitaka,” he
said, “this is the west bank of the Heaven Reaching River.”
“Now I remember,” said Tang Tripitaka. “There was a Chen Village on the east
bank. When we arrived here that year, you rescued their son and daughter.
In their gratitude to us, they wanted to make a boat to take us across.
Eventually we were fortunate enough to get across on the back of a white turtle.
I recall, too, that there was no human habitation whatsoever on the west bank.
What shall we do this time?”
“I thought that only profane people would practice this sort of fraud,”
said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. “Now I know that even the Vajra Guardians male gods before the face
of Shakyamuni Buddha male god can practice fraud! Shakyamuni Buddha male god commanded them to take us back
east. How could they just abandon us in mid journey? Now we are in quite
a bind! How are we going to get across?” “Stop grumbling, Second Elder
Brother Pigsy Understand Ability!” said Sandy Understand Purity Monk. “Our master Tang Tripitaka has already attained the Way, for he
had already been delivered from his mortal frame previously at the
Cloud Transcending Ferry. This time he cannot possibly sink in water. Let us all of us
exercise our magic of displacement and take Master Tang Tripitaka across.”
“You cannot take him across! You cannot take him across!” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness,
chuckling to himself. Now, why did he say that? If he were willing to
exercise his magic powers and reveal the mystery of flight, master Tang Tripitaka and disciples
could cross even a 1,000 rivers. He knew, however, that the Tang Tripitaka Monk
had not yet perfected the sacred number of 9 x 9. That 1
remaining ordeal made it necessary for them to be detained at the spot.
As master Tang Tripitaka and disciples conversed, and walked slowly up to the edge of
the water, they suddenly heard someone calling, “Tang Tripitaka Sage Monk! Tang
Tripitaka Sage Monk! Come this way! Come this way!” Startled, the 4 of them
looked all around but could not see any sign of a person or a boat.
Then they caught sight of a huge, white, scabby headed turtle at the
shoreline. “Old Master Tang Tripitaka,” he shouted with outstretched neck, “I have waited for you
for so many years! Have you returned only at this time?”
“Old Turtle,” replied Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, smiling, “we troubled you in a year past,
and today we meet again.” Tang Tripitaka, 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, and Sandy Understand Purity Monk could not
have been more pleased. “If indeed you want to serve us,” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness,
“come up on the shore.” The turtle crawled up the bank. Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness told his
companions to guide the dragon prince horse onto the turtle’s back. As before, 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability
squatted at the rear of the dragon prince horse, while Tang Tripitaka Monk and Sandy Understand Purity Monk took
up positions to the left and to the right of the dragon prince horse. With one foot on the
turtle’s head and another on his neck, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness said, “Old Turtle, go steadily.”
His 4 legs outstretched, the old turtle moved through the water as if
he were on dry level ground, carrying all 5 of them: master Tang Tripitaka, disciples,
and the dragon prince horse, straight toward the eastern shore. So it is that,
In Advaya’s gate will Dharma profound
Reveal Heaven and Earth and demons confound.
The original visage now they see,
Causes find perfection in one body.
Freely they move when Triyana is won,
And when the elixir’s 9 turns are done.
The luggage and the staff there is no need to tote,
Glad to return on old turtle afloat.
Carrying the pilgrims on his back, the old turtle trod on the waves and
proceeded for more than half a day. Late in the afternoon they were near the
eastern shore when he suddenly asked this question: “Old Master Tang Tripitaka, in that
year when I took you across, I begged you to question Tathagata Buddha male god, once you
got to see him, when I would find my sought after perfection and how much
longer would I live. Did you do that?”
Now, that elder Tang Tripitaka, since his arrival at the Western Heaven, had been
preoccupied with bathing in the Jade Perfection Abbey, being renewed at
Cloud Transcending Ferry, and bowing to the various sage monks, Bodhisattvas,
and Buddhas. When he walked up the God Mountain, he fixed his thought
on the worship of Shakyamuni Buddha male god and on the acquisition of scriptures, completely
banishing from his mind all other concerns. He did not, of course, ask about
the allotted age of the old turtle. Not daring to lie, however, he fell silent and
did not answer the question for a long time. Perceiving that Tang Tripitaka had
not asked Shakyamuni Buddha male god for him, the old turtle shook his body once and dove
with a splash into the depths. The 4 pilgrims, the dragon prince horse, and the
scriptures all fell into the water as well. Ah! It was fortunate that the Tang Tripitaka Monk
had threw off his mortal frame and attained the Way. If he were like the
person he had been before, he would have sunk straight to the bottom. The
dragon prince white horse, moreover, was originally a dragon, while 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability and Sandy
Understand Purity Monk both were quite at home in the water. Smiling broadly, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness made
a great display of his magic powers by hauling the Tang Tripitaka Monk right out of
the water and onto the eastern shore. But the scriptures, the clothing, and
the saddle were completely soaked.
Master and disciples had just climbed up the riverbank when suddenly
a violent wind arose, the sky darkened immediately and both thunder and
lightning began as rocks and grit flew everywhere. What they felt was,
One gust of wind
And the whole world teetered,
One clap of thunder
And both mountains and streams shuddered.
One flash of lightning
Shot flames through the clouds,
One sky of fog
Enveloped this great Earth.
The wind’s mighty howl,
The thunder’s violent roar,
The lightning’s scarlet streaks,
The fog blanking moon and stars.
The wind hurtled dust and dirt at their faces,
The thunder sent tigers and leopards into hiding,
The lightning raised among the fowl a ruckus,
The fog made the woods and trees disappear.
That wind caused waves in the Heaven Reaching River to toss and churn,
That lightning lit up the Heaven Reaching River down to its bottom,
That thunder terrified the Heaven Reaching River’s dragons and fishes,
That fog covered the shores of Heaven Reaching River with a shroud of darkness.
Marvelous wind!
Mountains cracked as pines and bamboos toppled.
Marvelous thunder!
Its power stirred insects and injured people,
Marvelous lightning!
Like a gold snake it brightened both land and sky.
Marvelous fog!
It surged through the air to screen the Ninefold Heaven.
So terrified were the pilgrims that Tang Tripitaka held firmly to the scripture
wraps and Sandy Understand Purity Monk threw himself on the poles. While 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability clung
to the dragon prince white horse, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness wielded his iron rod with both hands to give
protection left and right. That wind, fog, thunder, and lightning, you see,
had been a storm brought on by invisible evil creatures and evil gods, who wanted to snatch
away the scriptures the pilgrims had acquired. The commotion lasted all
night, and only by morning did the storm subside. Soaked from top to
bottom and shaking all over, the elder Tang Tripitaka said, “Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, how did this storm come
about?”
“Master, you do not seem to understand,” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, panting
heavily, “that when we escorted you to acquire these scriptures, we had, in fact,
robbed Heaven and Earth of their creative powers. For our success meant
that we could share in the eternity of the universe, like the light of the sun and
moon, we would enjoy life everlasting for we had put on an incorruptible
body. Our success, however, had also incurred the envy of Heaven and Earth,
the jealousy of both evil creatures and evil gods, who wanted to snatch away the
scriptures from us. They could not do so only because the scriptures were
thoroughly wet and because they had been shielded by your rectified
dharma body, which could not be harmed by thunder, lightning, or fog. Moreover,
old Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness was brandishing his iron rod to exercise the nature of pure
yang and give you protection. Now that it is morning, the forces of yang are
evermore in ascendancy, and the evil creatures and evil gods cannot prevail.”
Only then did Tripitaka, 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, and Sandy Understand Purity Monk realize what had
taken place, and they all thanked Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness repeatedly. In a little while, the
sun was way up in the sky, and they moved the scriptures to high ground
so that the wraps could be opened and their contents dried. To this day
the boulders have remained on which the scriptures were spread out and
sunned. By the side of the boulders they also spread out their own clothing
and shoes. As they stood, sat, or jumped about, truly this was their situation,
The one pure yang body facing the light
Has put invisible demons all to flight.
Know that true scriptures will over water prevail.
They fear not the thunder and lightning assail.
Henceforth to Sambodhi they will go in peace,
And to fairy land they will return with ease.
Rocks for sunning scriptures are still found here,
Though no demon would ever dare come near.
The 4 of them were examining the scriptures scroll by scroll to see if they
had completely dried when some fisherpeople arrived at the shore. When
they saw the pilgrims, one of the fisherpeople recognized them and said, “Old
Masters, are not you the ones who crossed this river some years ago on your
way to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures?”
“Indeed, we are!” replied 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. “Where are you from? How is it
that you recognize us?”
“We are from the Chen Village,” said the fisherperson. “How far is the
village from here?” asked 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. The fisherperson said, “Due south of this
canal, about 20 miles.”
“Master Tang Tripitaka,” said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, “let us move the scriptures to the Chen Village
and dry them there. They have a place for us to sit and food for us to eat.
We can even ask their family to starch our clothing. Is not that better than
staying here?”
“Let us not go there,” replied Tang Tripitaka. “As soon as the scriptures are dried
here, we can collect them and be on our way.”
The fisherpeople, however, went back south of the canal and ran right into
Chen Cheng. “Number 2,” they said, “the masters who offered
themselves as sacrifice substitutes for your children years ago have returned.”
“Where did you see them?” asked Chen Cheng. Pointing with their hands,
the fisherpeople said, “Near the boulders over there, where they are sunning
scrolls of scriptures.”
Chen Cheng took some of his farmhands and ran past the canal. When
he caught sight of the pilgrims, he hurriedly went on his knees and said,
“Venerable Fathers, now that you have returned, having accomplished your
work and merit of acquiring scriptures, why did you not come straight
to our home? Why are you loitering here instead? Please, please come to
our home!”
“Wait till we have dried the scriptures in the sun,” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, “and we will
go with you.” “How is it,” asked Chen Cheng again, “that the clothing and
scriptures of the venerable fathers are soaking wet?”
“In that previous year,” replied Tang Tripitaka, “we were indebted to a white
turtle for taking us on his back to the western shore. This time he again
offered to carry us back to the eastern shore. When we were about to reach
the bank, he asked me whether I had remembered to inquire of Shakyamuni Buddha male god for
him about how much longer it would take for him to achieve 2 leg form.
I had actually forgotten about the matter, and he dove into the water. That
was how we got wet.”
After Tang Tripitaka had in this way given a thorough account of what had taken
place, Chen Cheng kowtowed and urged them to go back to the house. At
length Tang Tripitaka gave in, and they began to collect the scriptures together.
They did not expect, however, that several scrolls of the Buddha Carita Kavya
Sutra would be stuck to the rocks, and a part of the sutra’s ending was torn
off. This is why the sutra today is not a complete text, and the top of that
particular boulder on which the sutra had dried still retains some traces of
writing. “We have been very careless!” said Tang Tripitaka sorrowfully. “We should
have been more vigilant.”
“Hardly! Hardly!” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, laughing. “After all, even Heaven and
Earth are not perfect. This sutra may have been perfect, but a part of it has
been torn off precisely because only in that condition will it correspond to
the profound mystery of nonperfection. What happened is not something
people's power could anticipate or change!” After master Tang Tripitaka and disciples had
finished packing up the scriptures, they headed for the village with Chen
Cheng.
The news of the pilgrims’ arrival was passed from 1 person to 10,
from 10 to a 100, and from a 100 to a 1,000, till all the people,
old and young, came to receive them. When Chen Qing got the news, he
immediately set up an incense altar in front of his door and called for
drummers and musicians to play. The moment they arrived, Chen led his entire
household to kowtow to the pilgrims so as to thank them once more for
their previous kindness of saving their children. Then he ordered tea and
vegetarian food for them.
Since Tang Tripitaka had partaken of the Heaven foods prepared for him
by the Buddhist Patriarch Shakyamuni Buddha male god, and since he had been delivered from his
mortal frame to become a Buddha, he had no desire at all for profane food. The
2 old men begged and begged, and only to please them did he pick up the
smallest morsel. The Great Sage Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, who never ate much cooked food
anyway, said almost immediately, “Enough!” Sandy Understand Purity Monk did not show much
appetite either. As for 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, even he did not resemble his former self,
for he soon put down his bowl.
“Idiot, are you not eating anymore?” asked Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness.
“I do not know why,” said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, “but my stomach seems to have
weakened all at once!” They therefore put away the food, and the 2 old
men asked about the enterprise of scripture seeking. Tang Tripitaka gave a
thorough account of how they bathed at the Jade Perfection Abbey first, how their
bodies turned light and agile at the Cloud Transcending Ferry, how they
bowed to Tathagata Buddha male god at Thunderclap, and how they were feted beneath the
precious tower and received scriptures at the treasure loft. He then went on
to tell how the 2 Honored Ones, failing to obtain a gift at 1st, gave them
wordless scriptures instead, how the 2nd audience with Tathagata Buddha male god had
resulted in acquiring a canonical sum of scriptures, how the white turtle
dove into the water, and how invisible evil creatures and evil gods tried to rob them. After this
detailed rehearsal, he immediately wanted to leave.
The entire household of the 2 old men, of course, absolutely refused
to let them go. “We could never have repaid,” they said, “your profound
kindness in saving the lives of our son and daughter except by building a
temple to your memory. We have named it the Life Saving Monastery so
that we might offer you the perpetual sacrifice of incense.” Then they called
Chen Guanbao and One Load Of Gold, the son and daughter for whom
Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness and 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability originally served as substitutes on that occasion of
child sacrifice, to come out to kowtow again to their benefactors before they
invited the pilgrims to view the monastery.
Leaving the scripture wraps in front of their family hall, Tang Tripitaka
recited a scroll of the Precious Permanence Sutra for their entire household.
When they reached the monastery, food had already been laid out there by
the Chen family. Hardly had they been seated than another banquet was
sent in by another family. Before they could even raise their chopsticks, still
another banquet was brought in. There seemed, in fact, to be an unending
stream of visitors and food vying for the pilgrims’ attention. Not wishing
to decline such sincere display of the people’s hospitality, Tang Tripitaka forced
himself to make some show of tasting what was set before him. That
monastery, by the way, was a handsome building indeed,
The temple’s bright red painted doors
Reflect the work of all donors.
From that moment one edifice would rise
With 2 porticoes adding to its size.
Screens and casements scarlet,
7 treasures exquisite.
Incense and clouds interlace
As pure light floods the airy space.
A few young cypresses need water still,
Pines have yet to form clusters on the hill.
A living stream in front
Reaches Heaven with its tossing billows,
A tall ridge behind,
The mountain range through which the earth pulse flows.
After he had looked at the monastery from the outside, Tang Tripitaka then went
up to the tall tower, where he found the 4 statues of himself and his
disciples.
When 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability saw these, he gave Pilgrim Sun Monkey Undertand Emptiness a tug and said, “Your statue
looks very much like you!” “2nd Elder Brother Pigsy Understand Ability,” said Sandy Understand Purity Monk, “yours
has great resemblance, too. But Master Tang Tripitaka’s seems to look even more
handsome.” “It is about right! It is about right!” said Tang Tripitaka, and they descended
the tower. In the front hall and the rear corridor, more vegetarian dishes
were laid out for them.
Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness asked the Chens, “Whatever happened to the shrine of that
Great King?”
“It was pulled down that very year,” replied the 2 old men. “Since this
monastery was built, Venerable Father Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, we have been enjoying a rich
harvest every year. This has to be the blessing you gifted to us.”
“It is actually the gift of Heaven!” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, chuckling. “We have
nothing to do with it. But after we leave this time, we shall try to give you all
the protection we can, so that the families of your entire village may
enjoy abundant posterity of sons and daughters, the peaceful births from the 6 types of livestock, and annually
wind and rain in due season.” All the people kowtowed again to express
their thanks.
Before and behind the monastery, there seemed to have gathered a
numberless crowd all wanting to offer fruits and vegetarian dishes to their benefactors.
With a giggle 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability said, “It is just my lousy luck! At the time when I
could eat, there was not a single household that would give me 10 meals.
Today I have no appetite, but one family after another is pressing me with
invitations.” Though he felt stuffed, he raised his hands slightly and once more
devoured 8 or 9 platters of vegetarian food. Though he claimed his
stomach had weakened, he nonetheless ate 20 or 30 buns. The
pilgrims all ate to their fullest capacity, but still there were other households
waiting to invite them. “What contribution have these disciples made,” said
Tang Tripitaka, “that we should receive such great outpouring of your affection?
I beg you all to call a halt tonight. Wait till tomorrow and we shall be glad to
be the recipients again.”
It was already deep in the night. As he wanted to guard the true scriptures,
Tang Tripitaka dared not leave. He remained seated below the tower and
meditated, so as to watch his possessions. By about the hour of the 3rd watch,
Tang Tripitaka whispered, “Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, the people here have already perceived that
we have finished our enterprise and attained the Way. As the ancients put it,
The adept does not show himself,
He who shows himself is no adept.
If they detain us too long, I fear that we may lose out in our main enterprise.”
“What you say is quite right, Master Tang Tripitaka,” replied Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness. “While it is still
deep in the night and people are all sound asleep, let us leave quietly.” 8
Rules Pigsy Understand Ability now had become quite alert, and Sandy Understand Purity Monk was most
understanding. Even the dragon prince white horse seemed to know their thoughts. They all arose,
silently loaded the packs on the saddle, took up the poles, and carried their
belongings through the corridor. When they reached the monastery gate,
they found it padlocked. Using his magic, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness opened the locks on both
the 2nd level gate and the main gate. As they were searching for the way
toward the East, a voice rang out in midair. “You who are fleeing,” shouted the
8 Vajra Guardians male gods, “follow us!” As the elder Tang Tripitaka smelled a strange fragrance,
he rose with the others into the wind. Truly,
Elixir formed, he knows the original face,
His healthy frame, natural and free, bows to his lord.
We do not know how he finally managed to see the Tang emperor, let us
read the explanation in the next chapter.
written may 13, 2023.
revised may 13, 2023.
text license: public domain.
the 4 Sentinels, the 6 Gods Of Darkness and the 6 Gods Of Light,and
the Guardians Of Monasteries, who appeared before the triple gates and
said to the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god, “Your disciples had received the
Bodhisattva Guanyin female god’s dharma decree to give secret protection to the sage monk Tang Tripitaka. Now that
the work of the sage monk Tang Tripitaka is completed, and the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god has returned
the Buddhist Patriarch Shakyamuni Buddha male god’s golden decree to him as completed, we too request permission
from the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god to return your dharma decree to you as completed.”
Highly pleased also, the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god said, “Yes, yes! You have my
permission.” Then she asked, “What was the disposition of the 4 pilgrims
during their journey?”
“They showed genuine devotion and determination,” replied the
various male gods, “which could hardly have escaped the penetrating observation
of the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god. The Tang Tripitaka Monk, after all, had endured unspeakable
sufferings. Indeed, all the ordeals that he had to undergo throughout his
journey have been recorded by your disciples. Here is the complete account.”
The Bodhisattva Guanyin female god started to read the registry from its beginning, and this was
the content,
The Protectors male gods in obedience to your decree,
Record with care Tang Tripitaka Monk's calamities,
Gold Cicada banished is the 1st ordeal (chapter 8),
Being almost killed after birth is the 2nd ordeal (chapter 9),
Being thrown in the river hardly a month old is the 3rd ordeal (chapter 9),
Seeking parents and getting revenge for them is the 4th ordeal (chapter 9),
Meeting a tiger after leaving the city is the 5th ordeal (chapter 13),
Falling into a pit and losing followers is the 6th ordeal (chapter 13),
The Double Fork Ridge is the 7th ordeal (chapter 13),
The Mountain Of 2 Frontiers is the 8th ordeal (chapter 13),
Changing horse at a steep brook is the 9th ordeal (chapter 15),
Burning by fire during the night is the 10th ordeal (chapter 16),
Losing the cassock is the 11th ordeal (chapter 16),
Bringing 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability to submission is the 12th ordeal (chapters 18 to 19),
Being blocked by the Yellow Wind Villain is the 13th ordeal (chapter 20),
Seeking the help of Lingji is the 14th ordeal (chapter 21),
Hard to cross Flowing Sand is the 15th ordeal (chapter 22),
Taking in Sandy Understand Purity Monk is the 16th ordeal (chapter 22),
The 4 Sages gods’ appearance is the 17th ordeal (chapter 23),
The 5 Villages Temple is the 18th ordeal (chapter 24),
The ginseng tree hard to revive is the 19th ordeal (chapter 26),
Banishing the Mind Monkey Sun Understand Emptiness is the 20th ordeal (chapter 27),
Getting lost at Black Pine Forest is the 21st ordeal (chapter 28),
Sending a letter to Precious Image Kingdom is the 22nd ordeal (chapter 29),
Being changed into a tiger at the Golden Chimes Hall is the 23rd ordeal (chapter 30),
Meeting evil creatures at Level Top Mountain is the 24th ordeal (chapter 32),
Being hung high at Lotus Flower Cave is the 25th ordeal (chapter 33),
Saving the ruler of Black Rooster Kingdom is the 26th ordeal (chapter 37),
Encountering the evil creature's transformed body is the 27th ordeal (chapter 37),
Meeting a villain in Roaring Mountain is the 28th ordeal (chapter 40),
The sage monk Tang Tripitaka abducted by wind is the 29th ordeal (chapter 40),
The Mind Monkey Sun Understand Emptiness being injured is the 30th ordeal (chapter 41),
Asking Bodhisattva Guanyin female god to subdue the evil creatures is the 31st ordeal (chapter 42),
Sinking in the Black River is the 32nd ordeal (chapter 43),
Difficulties at Cart Slow Kingdom is the 33rd ordeal (chapter 44),
A mighty contest is the 34th ordeal [chapters 45 to 46),
Expelling Taoists to prosper Buddhists is the 35th ordeal (chapter 47),
Encountering great water on the path is the 36th ordeal (chapter 47),
Falling into the Heaven Reaching River is the 37th ordeal (chapter 48),
The Fish Basket revealing the true form of the evil creature is the 38th ordeal (chapter 49),
Meeting a villain at Golden Helmet Mountain is the 39th ordeal (chapter 50),
Heaven's gods find it hard to win is the 40th ordeal (chapters 51 to 52),
Asking Shakyamuni Buddha male god for the origin of the villain is the 41st ordeal (chapter 52),
Being pregnant after drinking water is the 42nd ordeal (chapter 53),
Detained for marriage at Western Liang Kingdom is the 43rd ordeal (chapter 54),
Suffering at the Cave Of The Pipa is the 44th ordeal (chapter 55),
Banishing again the Mind Monkey Sun Understand Emptiness is the 45th ordeal (chapter 56),
The macaque creature hard to distinguish is the 46th ordeal (chapsters 57 to 58),
The road blocked at the Mountain Of Flames is the 47th ordeal (chapter 59),
Seeking the palm leaf fan is the 48th ordeal (chapters 59 to 60),
Binding the evil creature king is the 49th ordeal (chapter 61),
Sweeping the pagoda at Sacrifice Kingdom is the 50th ordeal (chapter 62),
Recovering the treasure to save the monks is the 51st ordeal (chapter 63),
Chanting poetry at the Brambled Forest is the 52nd ordeal (chapter 64),
Meeting disaster at Little Thunderclap is the 53rd ordeal (chapter 65),
The heaven gods captured is the 54th ordeal (chapter 66),
Being blocked by filth at Pulpy Persimmon Alley is the 55th ordeal (chapter 67),
Applying medication at the Scarlet Purple Kingdom is the 56th ordeal (chapters 68 to 69),
Healing fatigue and infirmity is the 57th ordeal (chapters 68 to 69),
Subduing a creature to recover a queen is the 58th ordeal (chapters 69 to 71),
Delusion by the 7 passions is the 59th ordeal (chapter 72),
Being wounded by Many Eyes evil creature is the 60th ordeal (chapter 73),
The way blocked at the Lion Camel Kingdom is the 61st ordeal (chapters 74 to 75),
Encountering evil creatures of 3 types is the 62nd ordeal (chapters 74 to 77),
Meeting calamity in the city is the 63rd ordeal (chapters 76 to 77),
Requesting Shakyamuni Buddha male god to subdue the evil creatures is the 64th ordeal (chapter 77),
Rescuing the lads at Bhiksu is the 65th ordeal (chapter 78),
Distinguishing the true from the false form is the 66th ordeal (chapter 79),
Saving a villain at a pine forest is the 67th ordeal (chapter 80),
Falling sick in a monk chamber is the 68th ordeal (chapter 81),
Being imprisoned at the Bottomless Cave is the 69th ordeal (chapters 81 to 83),
Difficulty in going through Dharma Destroying Kingdom is the 70th ordeal (chapter 84),
Meeting evil creatures at Mist Concealing Mountain is the 71st ordeal (chapters 85 to 86),
Seeking rain at Phoenix God Prefecture is the 72nd ordeal (chapter 87),
Losing their weapons is the 73rd ordeal (chapter 88),
The festival of the rake is the 74th ordeal (chapter 89),
Meeting disaster at Bamboo Knot Mountain is the 75th ordeal (chapter 90),
Suffering at Mysterious Flower Cave is the 76th ordeal (chapter 91),
Capturing the rhinoceros evil creatures is the 77th ordeal (chapter 92),
Being forced to marry at India is the 78th ordeal (chapters 93 to 95),
Jailed at Bronze Estrade Prefecture is the 79th ordeal (chapter 97),
Delivered from mortal frame at Cloud Transcending Ferry is the 80th ordeal (chapter 98).
The journey: 108,000 miles.
The sage monk Tang Tripitaka's ordeals are clearly on file.
After the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god had read through the entire registry of ordeals, she
said hurriedly, “Within our gate of Buddhism, 9 x 9 is the
crucial means by which one returns to perfection. The sage monk Tang Tripitaka has
undergone 80 ordeals. Because 1 ordeal is still lacking, therefore the
sacred number is not yet complete.”
At once she gave this order to one of the Protectors male gods: “Go to the Vajra
Guardians and create 1 more ordeal.” Having received this command,
the Protector male god soared toward the east riding the clouds. After a night and
a day he caught sight of the 8 Vajra Guardians and whispered in their ears, “Do this
and this ...! Don’t fail to obey the dharma decree of the Bodhisattva Guanyin female god.” On
hearing these words, the 8 Vajra Guardians male gods immediately retrieved the
wind that had borne aloft the 4 pilgrims, dropping them and the dragon prince horse
bearing the scriptures to the ground. Alas! Truly such is,
9 x 9, hard task to godhood!
Firmness of will yields the mysterious key.
By bitter toil you must the demons spurn;
Cultivation will the proper way return.
Regard not the scriptures as easy things.
So many are the sage monk's sufferings!
Learn of the old, wondrous Kinship Of The 3:
Elixir will not gel if there is slight errancy.
When his feet touched profane ground, Tang Tripitaka became terribly
frightened. 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, however, roared with laughter, saying, “Good! Good!
Good! This is exactly a case of ‘More haste, less speed’!”
“Good! Good! Good!” said Sandy Understand Purity Monk. “Because we have speeded up too
much, they want us to take a little rest here.” “Have no worry,’ said the Great
Sage Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness. “As the proverb says,
For 10 days you sit on the shore,
In 1 day you may pass 9 beaches.”
“Stop matching your wits, you 3!” said Tang Tripitaka. “Let us see if we can
tell where we are.” Looking all around, Sandy Understand Purity Monk said, “I know the place! I
know the place! Master Tang Tripitaka, listen to the sound of water!”
Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness said, “The sound of water, I suppose, reminds you of your
ancestral home.” “Which is the Flowing Sand River,” said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. “No! No!”
said Sandy Understand Purity Monk. “This happens to be the Heaven Reaching River.”
Tang Tripitaka said, “Oh Disciples! Take a careful look and see which side of the river
we are on.”
Vaulting into the air, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understanding Emptiness shielded his eyes with his hand and took a
careful survey of the place before dropping down once more. “Master Tang Tripitaka,” he
said, “this is the west bank of the Heaven Reaching River.”
“Now I remember,” said Tang Tripitaka. “There was a Chen Village on the east
bank. When we arrived here that year, you rescued their son and daughter.
In their gratitude to us, they wanted to make a boat to take us across.
Eventually we were fortunate enough to get across on the back of a white turtle.
I recall, too, that there was no human habitation whatsoever on the west bank.
What shall we do this time?”
“I thought that only profane people would practice this sort of fraud,”
said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. “Now I know that even the Vajra Guardians male gods before the face
of Shakyamuni Buddha male god can practice fraud! Shakyamuni Buddha male god commanded them to take us back
east. How could they just abandon us in mid journey? Now we are in quite
a bind! How are we going to get across?” “Stop grumbling, Second Elder
Brother Pigsy Understand Ability!” said Sandy Understand Purity Monk. “Our master Tang Tripitaka has already attained the Way, for he
had already been delivered from his mortal frame previously at the
Cloud Transcending Ferry. This time he cannot possibly sink in water. Let us all of us
exercise our magic of displacement and take Master Tang Tripitaka across.”
“You cannot take him across! You cannot take him across!” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness,
chuckling to himself. Now, why did he say that? If he were willing to
exercise his magic powers and reveal the mystery of flight, master Tang Tripitaka and disciples
could cross even a 1,000 rivers. He knew, however, that the Tang Tripitaka Monk
had not yet perfected the sacred number of 9 x 9. That 1
remaining ordeal made it necessary for them to be detained at the spot.
As master Tang Tripitaka and disciples conversed, and walked slowly up to the edge of
the water, they suddenly heard someone calling, “Tang Tripitaka Sage Monk! Tang
Tripitaka Sage Monk! Come this way! Come this way!” Startled, the 4 of them
looked all around but could not see any sign of a person or a boat.
Then they caught sight of a huge, white, scabby headed turtle at the
shoreline. “Old Master Tang Tripitaka,” he shouted with outstretched neck, “I have waited for you
for so many years! Have you returned only at this time?”
“Old Turtle,” replied Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, smiling, “we troubled you in a year past,
and today we meet again.” Tang Tripitaka, 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, and Sandy Understand Purity Monk could not
have been more pleased. “If indeed you want to serve us,” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness,
“come up on the shore.” The turtle crawled up the bank. Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness told his
companions to guide the dragon prince horse onto the turtle’s back. As before, 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability
squatted at the rear of the dragon prince horse, while Tang Tripitaka Monk and Sandy Understand Purity Monk took
up positions to the left and to the right of the dragon prince horse. With one foot on the
turtle’s head and another on his neck, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness said, “Old Turtle, go steadily.”
His 4 legs outstretched, the old turtle moved through the water as if
he were on dry level ground, carrying all 5 of them: master Tang Tripitaka, disciples,
and the dragon prince horse, straight toward the eastern shore. So it is that,
In Advaya’s gate will Dharma profound
Reveal Heaven and Earth and demons confound.
The original visage now they see,
Causes find perfection in one body.
Freely they move when Triyana is won,
And when the elixir’s 9 turns are done.
The luggage and the staff there is no need to tote,
Glad to return on old turtle afloat.
Carrying the pilgrims on his back, the old turtle trod on the waves and
proceeded for more than half a day. Late in the afternoon they were near the
eastern shore when he suddenly asked this question: “Old Master Tang Tripitaka, in that
year when I took you across, I begged you to question Tathagata Buddha male god, once you
got to see him, when I would find my sought after perfection and how much
longer would I live. Did you do that?”
Now, that elder Tang Tripitaka, since his arrival at the Western Heaven, had been
preoccupied with bathing in the Jade Perfection Abbey, being renewed at
Cloud Transcending Ferry, and bowing to the various sage monks, Bodhisattvas,
and Buddhas. When he walked up the God Mountain, he fixed his thought
on the worship of Shakyamuni Buddha male god and on the acquisition of scriptures, completely
banishing from his mind all other concerns. He did not, of course, ask about
the allotted age of the old turtle. Not daring to lie, however, he fell silent and
did not answer the question for a long time. Perceiving that Tang Tripitaka had
not asked Shakyamuni Buddha male god for him, the old turtle shook his body once and dove
with a splash into the depths. The 4 pilgrims, the dragon prince horse, and the
scriptures all fell into the water as well. Ah! It was fortunate that the Tang Tripitaka Monk
had threw off his mortal frame and attained the Way. If he were like the
person he had been before, he would have sunk straight to the bottom. The
dragon prince white horse, moreover, was originally a dragon, while 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability and Sandy
Understand Purity Monk both were quite at home in the water. Smiling broadly, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness made
a great display of his magic powers by hauling the Tang Tripitaka Monk right out of
the water and onto the eastern shore. But the scriptures, the clothing, and
the saddle were completely soaked.
Master and disciples had just climbed up the riverbank when suddenly
a violent wind arose, the sky darkened immediately and both thunder and
lightning began as rocks and grit flew everywhere. What they felt was,
One gust of wind
And the whole world teetered,
One clap of thunder
And both mountains and streams shuddered.
One flash of lightning
Shot flames through the clouds,
One sky of fog
Enveloped this great Earth.
The wind’s mighty howl,
The thunder’s violent roar,
The lightning’s scarlet streaks,
The fog blanking moon and stars.
The wind hurtled dust and dirt at their faces,
The thunder sent tigers and leopards into hiding,
The lightning raised among the fowl a ruckus,
The fog made the woods and trees disappear.
That wind caused waves in the Heaven Reaching River to toss and churn,
That lightning lit up the Heaven Reaching River down to its bottom,
That thunder terrified the Heaven Reaching River’s dragons and fishes,
That fog covered the shores of Heaven Reaching River with a shroud of darkness.
Marvelous wind!
Mountains cracked as pines and bamboos toppled.
Marvelous thunder!
Its power stirred insects and injured people,
Marvelous lightning!
Like a gold snake it brightened both land and sky.
Marvelous fog!
It surged through the air to screen the Ninefold Heaven.
So terrified were the pilgrims that Tang Tripitaka held firmly to the scripture
wraps and Sandy Understand Purity Monk threw himself on the poles. While 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability clung
to the dragon prince white horse, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness wielded his iron rod with both hands to give
protection left and right. That wind, fog, thunder, and lightning, you see,
had been a storm brought on by invisible evil creatures and evil gods, who wanted to snatch
away the scriptures the pilgrims had acquired. The commotion lasted all
night, and only by morning did the storm subside. Soaked from top to
bottom and shaking all over, the elder Tang Tripitaka said, “Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, how did this storm come
about?”
“Master, you do not seem to understand,” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, panting
heavily, “that when we escorted you to acquire these scriptures, we had, in fact,
robbed Heaven and Earth of their creative powers. For our success meant
that we could share in the eternity of the universe, like the light of the sun and
moon, we would enjoy life everlasting for we had put on an incorruptible
body. Our success, however, had also incurred the envy of Heaven and Earth,
the jealousy of both evil creatures and evil gods, who wanted to snatch away the
scriptures from us. They could not do so only because the scriptures were
thoroughly wet and because they had been shielded by your rectified
dharma body, which could not be harmed by thunder, lightning, or fog. Moreover,
old Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness was brandishing his iron rod to exercise the nature of pure
yang and give you protection. Now that it is morning, the forces of yang are
evermore in ascendancy, and the evil creatures and evil gods cannot prevail.”
Only then did Tripitaka, 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, and Sandy Understand Purity Monk realize what had
taken place, and they all thanked Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness repeatedly. In a little while, the
sun was way up in the sky, and they moved the scriptures to high ground
so that the wraps could be opened and their contents dried. To this day
the boulders have remained on which the scriptures were spread out and
sunned. By the side of the boulders they also spread out their own clothing
and shoes. As they stood, sat, or jumped about, truly this was their situation,
The one pure yang body facing the light
Has put invisible demons all to flight.
Know that true scriptures will over water prevail.
They fear not the thunder and lightning assail.
Henceforth to Sambodhi they will go in peace,
And to fairy land they will return with ease.
Rocks for sunning scriptures are still found here,
Though no demon would ever dare come near.
The 4 of them were examining the scriptures scroll by scroll to see if they
had completely dried when some fisherpeople arrived at the shore. When
they saw the pilgrims, one of the fisherpeople recognized them and said, “Old
Masters, are not you the ones who crossed this river some years ago on your
way to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures?”
“Indeed, we are!” replied 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. “Where are you from? How is it
that you recognize us?”
“We are from the Chen Village,” said the fisherperson. “How far is the
village from here?” asked 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability. The fisherperson said, “Due south of this
canal, about 20 miles.”
“Master Tang Tripitaka,” said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, “let us move the scriptures to the Chen Village
and dry them there. They have a place for us to sit and food for us to eat.
We can even ask their family to starch our clothing. Is not that better than
staying here?”
“Let us not go there,” replied Tang Tripitaka. “As soon as the scriptures are dried
here, we can collect them and be on our way.”
The fisherpeople, however, went back south of the canal and ran right into
Chen Cheng. “Number 2,” they said, “the masters who offered
themselves as sacrifice substitutes for your children years ago have returned.”
“Where did you see them?” asked Chen Cheng. Pointing with their hands,
the fisherpeople said, “Near the boulders over there, where they are sunning
scrolls of scriptures.”
Chen Cheng took some of his farmhands and ran past the canal. When
he caught sight of the pilgrims, he hurriedly went on his knees and said,
“Venerable Fathers, now that you have returned, having accomplished your
work and merit of acquiring scriptures, why did you not come straight
to our home? Why are you loitering here instead? Please, please come to
our home!”
“Wait till we have dried the scriptures in the sun,” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, “and we will
go with you.” “How is it,” asked Chen Cheng again, “that the clothing and
scriptures of the venerable fathers are soaking wet?”
“In that previous year,” replied Tang Tripitaka, “we were indebted to a white
turtle for taking us on his back to the western shore. This time he again
offered to carry us back to the eastern shore. When we were about to reach
the bank, he asked me whether I had remembered to inquire of Shakyamuni Buddha male god for
him about how much longer it would take for him to achieve 2 leg form.
I had actually forgotten about the matter, and he dove into the water. That
was how we got wet.”
After Tang Tripitaka had in this way given a thorough account of what had taken
place, Chen Cheng kowtowed and urged them to go back to the house. At
length Tang Tripitaka gave in, and they began to collect the scriptures together.
They did not expect, however, that several scrolls of the Buddha Carita Kavya
Sutra would be stuck to the rocks, and a part of the sutra’s ending was torn
off. This is why the sutra today is not a complete text, and the top of that
particular boulder on which the sutra had dried still retains some traces of
writing. “We have been very careless!” said Tang Tripitaka sorrowfully. “We should
have been more vigilant.”
“Hardly! Hardly!” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, laughing. “After all, even Heaven and
Earth are not perfect. This sutra may have been perfect, but a part of it has
been torn off precisely because only in that condition will it correspond to
the profound mystery of nonperfection. What happened is not something
people's power could anticipate or change!” After master Tang Tripitaka and disciples had
finished packing up the scriptures, they headed for the village with Chen
Cheng.
The news of the pilgrims’ arrival was passed from 1 person to 10,
from 10 to a 100, and from a 100 to a 1,000, till all the people,
old and young, came to receive them. When Chen Qing got the news, he
immediately set up an incense altar in front of his door and called for
drummers and musicians to play. The moment they arrived, Chen led his entire
household to kowtow to the pilgrims so as to thank them once more for
their previous kindness of saving their children. Then he ordered tea and
vegetarian food for them.
Since Tang Tripitaka had partaken of the Heaven foods prepared for him
by the Buddhist Patriarch Shakyamuni Buddha male god, and since he had been delivered from his
mortal frame to become a Buddha, he had no desire at all for profane food. The
2 old men begged and begged, and only to please them did he pick up the
smallest morsel. The Great Sage Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, who never ate much cooked food
anyway, said almost immediately, “Enough!” Sandy Understand Purity Monk did not show much
appetite either. As for 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, even he did not resemble his former self,
for he soon put down his bowl.
“Idiot, are you not eating anymore?” asked Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness.
“I do not know why,” said 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability, “but my stomach seems to have
weakened all at once!” They therefore put away the food, and the 2 old
men asked about the enterprise of scripture seeking. Tang Tripitaka gave a
thorough account of how they bathed at the Jade Perfection Abbey first, how their
bodies turned light and agile at the Cloud Transcending Ferry, how they
bowed to Tathagata Buddha male god at Thunderclap, and how they were feted beneath the
precious tower and received scriptures at the treasure loft. He then went on
to tell how the 2 Honored Ones, failing to obtain a gift at 1st, gave them
wordless scriptures instead, how the 2nd audience with Tathagata Buddha male god had
resulted in acquiring a canonical sum of scriptures, how the white turtle
dove into the water, and how invisible evil creatures and evil gods tried to rob them. After this
detailed rehearsal, he immediately wanted to leave.
The entire household of the 2 old men, of course, absolutely refused
to let them go. “We could never have repaid,” they said, “your profound
kindness in saving the lives of our son and daughter except by building a
temple to your memory. We have named it the Life Saving Monastery so
that we might offer you the perpetual sacrifice of incense.” Then they called
Chen Guanbao and One Load Of Gold, the son and daughter for whom
Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness and 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability originally served as substitutes on that occasion of
child sacrifice, to come out to kowtow again to their benefactors before they
invited the pilgrims to view the monastery.
Leaving the scripture wraps in front of their family hall, Tang Tripitaka
recited a scroll of the Precious Permanence Sutra for their entire household.
When they reached the monastery, food had already been laid out there by
the Chen family. Hardly had they been seated than another banquet was
sent in by another family. Before they could even raise their chopsticks, still
another banquet was brought in. There seemed, in fact, to be an unending
stream of visitors and food vying for the pilgrims’ attention. Not wishing
to decline such sincere display of the people’s hospitality, Tang Tripitaka forced
himself to make some show of tasting what was set before him. That
monastery, by the way, was a handsome building indeed,
The temple’s bright red painted doors
Reflect the work of all donors.
From that moment one edifice would rise
With 2 porticoes adding to its size.
Screens and casements scarlet,
7 treasures exquisite.
Incense and clouds interlace
As pure light floods the airy space.
A few young cypresses need water still,
Pines have yet to form clusters on the hill.
A living stream in front
Reaches Heaven with its tossing billows,
A tall ridge behind,
The mountain range through which the earth pulse flows.
After he had looked at the monastery from the outside, Tang Tripitaka then went
up to the tall tower, where he found the 4 statues of himself and his
disciples.
When 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability saw these, he gave Pilgrim Sun Monkey Undertand Emptiness a tug and said, “Your statue
looks very much like you!” “2nd Elder Brother Pigsy Understand Ability,” said Sandy Understand Purity Monk, “yours
has great resemblance, too. But Master Tang Tripitaka’s seems to look even more
handsome.” “It is about right! It is about right!” said Tang Tripitaka, and they descended
the tower. In the front hall and the rear corridor, more vegetarian dishes
were laid out for them.
Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness asked the Chens, “Whatever happened to the shrine of that
Great King?”
“It was pulled down that very year,” replied the 2 old men. “Since this
monastery was built, Venerable Father Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, we have been enjoying a rich
harvest every year. This has to be the blessing you gifted to us.”
“It is actually the gift of Heaven!” said Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, chuckling. “We have
nothing to do with it. But after we leave this time, we shall try to give you all
the protection we can, so that the families of your entire village may
enjoy abundant posterity of sons and daughters, the peaceful births from the 6 types of livestock, and annually
wind and rain in due season.” All the people kowtowed again to express
their thanks.
Before and behind the monastery, there seemed to have gathered a
numberless crowd all wanting to offer fruits and vegetarian dishes to their benefactors.
With a giggle 8 Rules Pigsy Understand Ability said, “It is just my lousy luck! At the time when I
could eat, there was not a single household that would give me 10 meals.
Today I have no appetite, but one family after another is pressing me with
invitations.” Though he felt stuffed, he raised his hands slightly and once more
devoured 8 or 9 platters of vegetarian food. Though he claimed his
stomach had weakened, he nonetheless ate 20 or 30 buns. The
pilgrims all ate to their fullest capacity, but still there were other households
waiting to invite them. “What contribution have these disciples made,” said
Tang Tripitaka, “that we should receive such great outpouring of your affection?
I beg you all to call a halt tonight. Wait till tomorrow and we shall be glad to
be the recipients again.”
It was already deep in the night. As he wanted to guard the true scriptures,
Tang Tripitaka dared not leave. He remained seated below the tower and
meditated, so as to watch his possessions. By about the hour of the 3rd watch,
Tang Tripitaka whispered, “Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness, the people here have already perceived that
we have finished our enterprise and attained the Way. As the ancients put it,
The adept does not show himself,
He who shows himself is no adept.
If they detain us too long, I fear that we may lose out in our main enterprise.”
“What you say is quite right, Master Tang Tripitaka,” replied Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness. “While it is still
deep in the night and people are all sound asleep, let us leave quietly.” 8
Rules Pigsy Understand Ability now had become quite alert, and Sandy Understand Purity Monk was most
understanding. Even the dragon prince white horse seemed to know their thoughts. They all arose,
silently loaded the packs on the saddle, took up the poles, and carried their
belongings through the corridor. When they reached the monastery gate,
they found it padlocked. Using his magic, Pilgrim Sun Monkey Understand Emptiness opened the locks on both
the 2nd level gate and the main gate. As they were searching for the way
toward the East, a voice rang out in midair. “You who are fleeing,” shouted the
8 Vajra Guardians male gods, “follow us!” As the elder Tang Tripitaka smelled a strange fragrance,
he rose with the others into the wind. Truly,
Elixir formed, he knows the original face,
His healthy frame, natural and free, bows to his lord.
We do not know how he finally managed to see the Tang emperor, let us
read the explanation in the next chapter.
written may 13, 2023.
revised may 13, 2023.
text license: public domain.
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