Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 212 - 213 Xuanzang: Where did Mahayana Buddhism come from?

Chapter 212: Chapter 213 Xuanzang: Where did Mahayana Buddhism come from?

Wei Zheng, hearing something so mystical, grew even more curious and asked, "What are the benefits? And what are the drawbacks?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva replied, "By wearing this kasaya, one will not sink into despair, will not fall into Hell, will not encounter malevolent hardships, nor face the disaster of tigers and wolves; these are the benefits. But if a monk indulges in sensual pleasures and rejoices in other’s misfortunes, if a monk neither fasts nor keeps the precepts, and if a layman destroys scriptures and slanders Buddhism, they will find it hard to even see this kasaya; these are the drawbacks."

Wei Zheng nodded, his curiosity deepened, and after thinking for a moment, he asked again, "What does it mean to necessitate money, and what does it mean to possibly not necessitate money?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva replied, "For those who do not follow the Buddhist law, do not respect the Three Treasures, and forcibly buy the kasaya and monk’s staff, they must pay seven thousand taels; this is necessitating money. But for those who respect the Three Treasures, delight in seeing goodness and seek refuge in Buddha, bearing it properly, I am willing to gift the kasaya and monk’s staff, to form a good bond with me; this means not necessitating money."

Upon hearing these words, a joyful expression couldn’t help but appear on Wei Zheng’s face, recognizing more benefits and realizing that this monk must be an extraordinary one. He immediately dismounted and greeted the Bodhisattva with proper respect.

"Grand Dharma Master, our Emperor of the Great Tang is very fond of good deeds, with all officials in the court duly following them. The ’Grand Water and Land Ritual’ will soon be held, and this kasaya would be perfect for Master Xuanzang to wear. Let us go and meet the Emperor together," he said.

Wei Zheng looked anxiously at the monk before him, somewhat worried that the monk might refuse. If he refused, it would not be good to forcibly take the monk to the palace.

Guanyin Bodhisattva naturally nodded in agreement.

Subsequently, the two monks met the Emperor of Tang.

The Emperor of Tang was somewhat surprised by Wei Zheng’s return.

"Chancellor Wei, why have you returned?"

The Emperor of Tang asked in surprise.

Wei Zheng explained his intentions.

"Your Majesty, outside the Donghua Gate, I happened upon these two monks who wanted to sell a kasaya and a monk’s staff. Considering Master Xuanzang is about to convene the Grand Water and Land Ritual and could make use of both the kasaya and staff, I brought them to meet Your Majesty," he said.

The Emperor of Tang, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but show great joy and quickly asked, "What is the value of this kasaya?"

Although it was just a brief look, the Emperor of Tang could already tell that the kasaya and monk’s staff were of considerable value.

The monks, transformed from Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Merciful Shore Walker, did not kneel to salute but stood their ground and promptly replied, "Five thousand taels for the kasaya, two thousand for the staff."

The Emperor of Tang frowned, as he, being the monarch of the nation, was not lacking in money, but neither was he a fool to be easily parted from it.

He then queried, "What are the benefits of this kasaya to be so valuable?"

The Bodhisattva, knowing in advance that the Emperor of Tang would ask this, directly said, "This kasaya, even if only draped with a dragon’s whisker, prevents the disaster of being swallowed by a Roc; if a thread from a crane hangs on it, one achieves the wonder of transcending to sanctity.

"This kasaya is made of silkworms spun from ice, crafted into thread by skilled artisans. Adorned with Ruyi beads, Mani beads, anti-dust beads, Wind-Calming Pearls; it also features red agate, purple coral, Luminous Pearls, and Buddhist relics; sitting in meditation, one is accompanied by ten thousand Buddhas!"

The Emperor of Tang, in the treasure hall, could not help but admire such a treasure, truly not of the mortal realm.

"My staff features a copper-enforced iron with nine interconnected rings, nine sections of immortal vine that keep their appearance forever. In hand, it makes old bones seem light, and descending the mountain, it seems to carry white clouds back. It has traveled through the celestial palace, broken barriers on earth. Unstained by the mortal dust, it happily accompanies the divine monk to Mount Jade."

The Emperor of Tang was silent for a while, had the kasaya unfolded, and inspected it closely. Indeed, it was a splendid item.

"Great Dharma Elder, I mean no concealment, I am preparing to hold a Grand Water and Land Ritual to widely spread the Buddhist Law, and within Golden Mountain Temple, there is a highly virtuous practitioner, Dharma Name Xuanzang. I wish to purchase these two treasures for his use. What is your asking price?" he asked.

Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Merciful Shore Walker joined hands, already aware that the Emperor of Tang intended to grant these items to Xuanzang.

After chanting a Buddha’s name, they replied, "Since he is such a virtuous person, we are willing to gift them and ask for no money."

The Emperor of Tang slightly furrowed his brows, not wanting to earn a reputation for seizing by force. He then intended to provide payment for the Guanyin Bodhisattva’s silver spear, but the Bodhisattva still refused.

In the blink of an eye, the two disappeared from everyone’s sight.

Their sudden disappearance astonished everyone present and left many pondering deeply about Buddhism.

The Emperor of Tang was very delighted to receive these two treasures.

Meanwhile, Xuanzang, having stepped out of the temple and searched for a long while, couldn’t find any trace of Wang Yang.

Though he had already guessed that many years had passed and that the elder might not possibly still be there.

Just when Xuanzang was feeling somewhat helpless about where to go now,

several soldiers dressed in armor approached.

"Master Xuanzang, the Grand Water and Land Ritual is about to begin!" they announced.

Xuanzang looked at the scene before him, knowing he no longer had any choice.

He then returned to the temple, bathed, and changed clothes thinking he would directly head to the venue of the Grand Water and Land Ritual. Unexpectedly, Wei Zheng was waiting outside.

"Master, please come with me to the palace to meet the Emperor first!" Wei Zheng said.

Xuanzang nodded, naturally not refusing.

Upon entering the palace, Xuanzang met the Emperor of Tang.

"This time, to conduct the Grand Water and Land Ritual, it’s all thanks to the Master. There’s nothing I can offer in return, but recently, Chancellor Wei met two monks willing to gift a Splendid Treasure Kasaya and a nine-ringed staff. I have now summoned the Master to receive them for use at the Grand Water and Land Ritual," he said.

Xuanzang, upon hearing this, showed a puzzled expression. Could there really be such treasures, perhaps also part of all the Heavens’ Immortals and Buddhas’ plan?

Though Xuanzang pondered this in his heart, he did not show much change in expression but expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor of Tang nodded, then said, "Master, if you don’t mind, put them on now so I can see them."

Xuanzang complied, unfolding the kasaya and draping it over himself while holding the staff, standing in place.

The Emperor of Tang, along with all the ministers watching this scene, couldn’t help but show surprise and praise incessantly.

The Emperor of Tang was extremely pleased.

"Your Majesty, it is almost time!"

Just at this moment, Wei Zheng on the side reminded him.

This time, the main purpose was to have Xuanzang wear the Brocaded Kasaya and carry the nine-ringed staff, but it was also for the convening of the Assembly on Water and Land.

Upon this, the Emperor of Tang nodded and ordered two teams to follow.

Then, accompanied by a procession of numerous officials, Xuanzang left the Imperial Palace and headed towards the temple of the Assembly on Water and Land.

The Assembly on Water and Land was held at the Zhizhen Temple.

Numerous monks had already been waiting there for a long time when they saw a figure in the distance draped in a kasaya and holding a monk’s staff.

For a moment, many monks thought they had seen Ksitigarbha King.

It was filled with Buddhist intent, and was extraordinarily profound.

Upon closer approach, they realized that this person was none other than Xuanzang, the monk designated for this Assembly on Water and Land.

Xuanzang entered the temple, offered incense and reverently prayed before Buddha, and then expressed to everyone his gratitude for the Emperor’s vast kindness.

"This time, His Majesty has considered all sentient beings under heaven, and for the sake of allowing the deceased to reincarnate peacefully, he convened this Assembly on Water and Land!"

"Long live His Majesty’s grace!"

And this time, the Assembly on Water and Land lasted seven days.

After the seventh day, the Emperor of Tang, many senior officials, and concubines would also arrive.

Everyone immediately prepared.

Guanyin Bodhisattva and Merciful Shore Walker, who had not left, also paid close attention to this scene.

After all, the Calamity of Measurement from the Journey to the West was a significant event for Buddhism.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the official Assembly on Water and Land arrived.

"Bodhisattva, today is the official day of the Assembly on Water and Land, shall we go?"

Merciful Shore Walker looked over and said to Guanyin Bodhisattva.

"Naturally we shall go!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and said, "When the time comes, I and you will hide in the crowd, to see how Golden Cicada is doing, secondly to see if Golden Cicada may wear my treasure, and thirdly to listen to the Buddhist scriptures he speaks about."

The two then hurriedly arrived inside the temple, and just upon entering, they could hear the sound of Buddhist chanting coming from within.

This brought the power of Infinite Dharma, attracting many people who came just to listen.

Buddhist chanting enwrapped the beams, such that some who were agitated in their hearts, upon hearing these words, also involuntarily let go of their dissatisfaction and calmed down.

This Buddhist dharma led countless people to develop a heart leaning towards Buddhism.

However, upon hearing the Buddhist Law spoken by Xuanzang, the Bodhisattva slightly furrowed her brows.

She then stepped forward, approached the high platform, and the monk transformed by Guanyin Bodhisattva cried out loudly, "That monk, you only talk about Hinayana Teachings, can you speak about Mahayana Buddhism?"

Xuanzang was startled by this, thinking that here there was only Hinayana Dharma, where would Mahayana Buddhism come from?

At that moment, puzzled, he stood up and said to Guanyin Bodhisattva with his palms joined, "Amitabha Buddha, my dear teacher, I have been disrespectful. We, the people of Buddhism, all teach Hinayana Dharma, but I do not know what Mahayana Buddhism is like?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head, then with a disappointed look said, "Your Hinayana Teachings cannot elevate the deceased to heaven, they can only convert oneself. I have the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism, which can elevate the deceased to heaven, free troubled people from suffering, cultivate a life of infinite duration, and achieve coming and going without attachment."

Upon hearing Guanyin Bodhisattva’s words, Xuanzang was about to ask more, but something already crossed his mind.

"This monk suddenly appears speaking of Mahayana Buddhism, could it be that this person is sent from the Western Buddhist Sect?"

As Xuanzang pondered this in his heart.

The Emperor of Tang, who was already present, heard that a monk stopped Xuanzang from teaching, and his expression grew unpleasant.

"Who are you to obstruct Master Xuanzang from preaching? Do you know the crime you have committed?"

A government soldier scoffed and said.

At this time, the Emperor of Tang also stepped out from the crowd.

Today being the last day of the Assembly on Water and Land, the day for Xuanzang to convert the wronged spirits, and it had actually been interrupted.

"Are you the monks who delivered the kasaya the day before?"

Just then, the Emperor of Tang recognized them as the two who had delivered the kasaya and monk’s staff that day.

However, he had not expected them to appear here.

And they even obstructed Xuanzang’s teaching.

Guanyin Bodhisattva did not deny it and stated, "Indeed."

"If you have come here to listen to the preaching, why do you speak out of turn with my master and disrupt the sermon hall, jeopardizing the important affairs of the Assembly on Water and Land?"

The Emperor of Tang slightly furrowed his brow, his expression growing somewhat displeased.

"Your master speaks of Hinayana Teachings, which cannot ascend the deceased to heaven. I possess the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism, which can free the deceased from suffering and grant an undying life."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Tang was taken aback and looked towards Xuanzang.

Clearly, he hoped to confirm this with Xuanzang.

Xuanzang shook his head and said, "Where does Mahayana Buddhism come from, indeed this person is talking nonsense!"