A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1395 - 944: Cloud Crossing Bids Farewell to Great Saint Sun, Duanmu Huai Attacks Thunderclap Temple

Chapter 1395: Chapter 944: Cloud Crossing Bids Farewell to Great Saint Sun, Duanmu Huai Attacks Thunderclap Temple

Fairy Chang’e had just taken the Jade Rabbit Spirit back to Guanghan Palace, while the King who found his daughter was very grateful to Duanmu Huai and Sun Wukong. Of course, Duanmu Huai didn’t care about that; he just wanted to have the travel documents approved to let them pass through. Although the King had repeatedly asked them to stay, Duanmu Huai still continued on his journey.

On their way, they saw towering structures in the distance, with many layers of outstanding pavilions rising hundreds of feet and piercing the sky. Surrounded by auspicious multicolored light and a myriad of auspicious clouds, this was indeed Lingjiu Peak, the sacred land of the Buddha. Below lay a river of living water with rolling waves, about eight or nine miles in width, with no one in sight. Not far away stood a wooden bridge, called Cloud Crossing, upon which stood Duanmu Huai stopping and dismounting his horse, turning to look at Sun Wukong.

"Great Saint."

"Master, you this...,"

Surprised to hear Duanmu Huai suddenly addressing him this way, Sun Wukong was momentarily stunned.

"We have arrived at the land of the West Tathagata, going any further means no turning back."

While speaking, Duanmu Huai handed the reins of the Pegasus to Sun Wukong.

"Though I don’t know what Guanyin has said to you, since we have arrived here, you can consider your mission accomplished. It would not be wise to proceed further. Thank you for accompanying me along the way with the Pegasus; otherwise, it would have been quite dull. I owe you my thanks."

"Master, do you really intend to ascend to the Western Paradise?"

Sun Wukong, hesitating while holding the reins, asked aloud.

"Of course, some people worship heaven, some worship earth, and others worship Buddha. But what I respect are only the common people. Perhaps in Tathagata’s eyes, mere humans are insignificant and unworthy of his attention. But for me, that is the greatest taboo. Tathagata allowing the Golden Peng to devour humans is an unforgivable sin, and additionally, I do not favor the Buddha, so naturally, I want to have a clear word with Tathagata."

"But what about the Heavenly Court..."

"At least the Heavenly Court sent a hundred thousand Celestial Troops. Whether I can defeat them is a question of strength, but to not even fight is a matter of attitude. Besides, I think you know as well that my former self is also one who was indifferent to Buddha, which is quite fitting for us both now."

Duanmu Huai’s words seemed true, although it appears that Monk Tang is a believer in Buddhism, his original reincarnation may not have been.

According to the original text of Journey to the West, Monk Tang is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, the golden cicada under Tathagata. When demons mention Monk Tang, they say "a virtuous person who has cultivated himself through ten lifetimes." This statement may have two meanings: one is that Jin Chanzi reincarnated and cultivated for ten lifetimes to become Monk Tang; the other is that the golden cicada cultivated through ten lifetimes to achieve enlightenment and become a disciple of Tathagata. After all, in ancient folklore, "the golden cicada shedding its shell" symbolizes longevity, reincarnation, and rebirth. Thus, if it was the latter case where the golden cicada cultivated and achieved enlightenment through ten lifetimes, then it would make sense.

And for the demons who believe eating Monk Tang’s flesh would grant them immortality, it is quite usual because the golden cicada historically carried this significance. It’s quite probable that in the eyes of these demons, by eating Monk Tang’s flesh, they could shed their demon forms and transform into humans, ascending to immortality just like the golden cicada. This is why all the demons are fixated on Monk Tang – not because other monks are unpalatable, but because other monks are not the reincarnations of the golden cicada.

As for why Jin Chanzi had a conflict with Tathagata, Tathagata made it clear:

"Because you did not heed my teachings and belittled my Buddhist Law, I demoted you to a mortal, to be reborn in the Eastern Land."

At first glance, there’s nothing wrong with this statement, but upon further thought, it becomes problematic.

Jin Chanzi is a person of virtue who has cultivated over ten lifetimes, which even demons acknowledge – would such a virtuous person doze off while listening to the Buddhist Law? Someone who has cultivated over ten lifetimes would fear chanting scriptures?

In the original text, when Monk Tang went through Chechi Country, he competed in magical powers with three immortals, and during the Cloud Ladder Divine Revelation, he stated, "In my youth, an accomplished monk spoke of the Dharma, and fundamentally, I practiced meditation to preserve my spirit. Even in the gateways of life and death, I could sit in meditation for two or three years."

Who can sit in meditation for two or three years without eating or drinking? However, this becomes more plausible when considering Monk Tang is the reincarnation of the golden cicada.

Given that the golden cicada has such ability, it would seem a bit strange to claim that it would doze off while listening to the Buddhist Law.

Not to mention, many disciples from the Buddhist Sect, who committed sins like breaking the precept of killing while in the mortal world, were simply brought back by the Buddhist Sect for discipline.

If you eat a few hundred people, you’re just imprisoned; but if I doze off, you want to expel me?

Does that make sense?

So considering further, the conflict between Jin Chanzi and Tathagata is clearly not just about neglecting teachings; it’s more about the philosophical differences between the two.

These philosophical differences, while not explicitly stated in the original text of Journey to the West, are still hinted at.

Often times, after Monk Tang and his disciples defeated demons, the other party would offer them plenty of money as a token of gratitude. However, Monk Tang’s consistent response was firm, "Being a person of the Buddhist Sect, I cannot accept these worldly possessions." At most, they would accept donations for a vegetarian meal, perhaps some rice and flour, or a change of clothes, but never money.

And Tathagata? Well,

It’s no secret that he considers even three measures of gold too little for a single recitation of the sutra. If Tathagata were to take this journey, there’s no telling how much money he would collect.

Looking at it this way, the divergence between the two becomes very clear.

Monk Tang’s attitude is to honor the Buddhist teachings, considering money and possessions extraneous and refusing to accept them.

Tathagata, on the other hand, believes that if you don’t accept money, it would make the Buddhist Law appear cheap and worthless. Only things bought with a substantial amount of money are valuable.