Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Bodhi originally has no tree, the bright mirror also not a stand.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

There was not a single thing to begin with, where could the dust alight?

This verse on Bodhi, to a certain extent, greatly resembles the previously mentioned Formless Gatha. Yet, its implied meaning is entirely different.

If it is said that the Formless Gatha delves deeply into the essence of a monk's cultivation of Buddhism, then this Bodhi Verse has already completed its transformation and sublimation at that level.

As soon as the Bodhi Verse was recited, the Dharma assembly by the water and land fell into silence. Those mere twenty words immersed countless monks.

In a faint sense, as if they grasped something; but upon closer examination, they couldn't discern what it was they realized. This feeling was profound and yet more profound.

"There was not a single thing to begin with? Where could the dust alight? Has the Holy Monk Xuanzang already reached such a detached state of mind? Despite his youth, he possesses such a realm already.

Is he truly a reincarnation of a Bodhisattva?", within the twelve hundred monks, an elder monk clad in a kasaya, his beard already white, looked at the young monk on the platform with both admiration and respect, sincerely impressed.

"Amitabha, the Formless Gatha alone was already a treasured poem of the Buddhist sect. But today, this Bodhi Verse outshines it, making it seem lackluster. This is indeed an unparalleled echo of the Buddhist sect for all eternity," from below the platform, Saint Monk Longhai, upon hearing the Bodhi Verse, felt joyful and full of admiration.

Even as one called a Holy Monk, I could not achieve this. I am inferior to him.

"A true gain, this is indeed a great gain...", among the numerous commoners in attendance, an older man also showed a face full of joy.

I traveled a great distance to attend this water and land Dharma assembly, all to hear Master Xuanzang's explication of the Buddhist Law and to see the perspective of the Holy Monk. Yet I never expected him to merely chant scriptures without presenting any personal insights or thoughts from the platform.

I was extremely disappointed at first, but now, after hearing this Bodhi Verse, I feel that my trip has not been in vain.

Even more, the old man thought that the previous simple recitation of scriptures by the Holy Monk Xuanzang was very profound.

Could it be that everyone has a different understanding of the scriptures, and thus, the Holy Monk, in this manner, is reminding all beings that they need to contemplate for themselves? Otherwise, with the Holy Monk's Buddha nature, why wouldn't he express his own insight and enlightenment?

Thinking this way, the Holy Monk's efforts are truly painstaking.

…

The Scabrous Monk, transformed by Guanyin, also watched Jiang Liu in amazement. I must admit, even having lived for thousands of years, I initially thought the Formless Gatha was merely admirable, but this Bodhi Verse is truly stunning, even to Guanyin.

At the same time, in my heart, I couldn't help wondering, isn't this the incarnation of Master Golden Cicada? Even after reincarnation, without the memories of thousands of years, he still possesses such wisdom.

Originally, Guanyin's plan was to use the Red Thread of Fate to deepen the love between Xuanzang and Gaoyang, then sacrifice her to strengthen his Zen resolve and set him on the Journey to the West. However, I did not expect that the mistake of the Dragon Subduing Arhat would make Jiang Liu potentially aware of the covert actions of the Buddhist sect.

Therefore, Guanyin came here to test and see what his attitude towards the Buddhist sect was. Now, it seems his understanding of the Buddhist Law has become even more profound.

Yet, even though I am amazed by this Bodhi Verse, I will not forget what my purpose is.

Following the recitation of the Bodhi Verse, the Scabrous Monk instead burst into loud laughter, "Hahaha, so this is what they call the Holy Monk of Great Tang? I see it's nothing special after all."

"How dare you, monk! To run wild here, mocking the Holy Monk!" After the Formless Gatha won everyone's admiration, now hearing the Scabrous Monk utter such mockery, naturally roused a wave of excitement in the crowd.

"Hahaha? How am I running wild? As the Holy Monk of Great Tang, although he eloquently speaks of the Buddhist Law, in the end, it is but Hinayana Buddhism. How can one be called a Holy Monk with such beliefs?" The Scabrous Monk, faced with condemnation from thousands, did not show fear, but spoke out loudly instead.

"Then may I ask, since you insist that what Xuanzang preaches is merely Hinayana Buddhism, what then is Hinayana and what is Mahayana Buddhism?" As the words of the Scabrous Monk fell, Saint Monk Longhai stood up and asked in the assembly.

"Cultivating oneself for personal benefit, seeing the nature of the Bright Deity, this is Hinayana Buddhism," the Scabrous Monk glanced over all those present and finally rested his eyes on Jiang Liu, then he replied.

There was a slight pause before he continued, "Salvation for the world, rescuing sentient beings from the sea of suffering, and leading them to the other shore, this is the essence of Mahayana Buddhism."

"Holy Monk Xuanzang, the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism are stored in the Great Thunder Monastery of the Western Heaven, at the abode of our Buddha Tathagata. Are you willing to endure hardships for the sake of the people of this world, to bring back the True Scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism Tripitaka?"

"Can I say 'no'?" Upon hearing these words, Jiang Liu rolled his eyes discreetly.

Of course, this was merely grumbled internally. The Buddhist Sect had prepared for this day for so long, made countless arrangements; they were ostensibly asking him, but in reality, was there any room for him to refuse?

"Amitabha, this monk is willing," Jiang Liu stood up and replied, adopting a look of righteous determination. Since there was no choice, he might as well show some grandeur and passion.

Li Shimin, who was standing by the side, did not utter a word, simply watching silently. He recognized this scabrous monk who had appeared as the one who had delivered the kasaya and the Zen staff the day before.

Now hearing about the journey to the West, Li Shimin understood in his heart—so this was the Buddhist Sect's true intent?

"Amitabha, Xuanzang, you are very good..." Guanyin appeared quite satisfied with Jiang Liu's response, her form flashed, then reverted to her true likeness, seated upon the Lotus Platform. Her Buddhist Light was dazzling yet gentle, and she nodded at Jiang Liu with a gratified expression.

"Bodhisattva Guanyin, Bodhisattva Guanyin has descended to earth!"

Witnessing Guanyin reveal her true form, twelve hundred monks at the water and land ceremony excitedly knelt down, worshipping and adoring her.

The civilians who came to observe also prostrated themselves as if they were pounding garlic.

"Yesterday, through the hands of the Emperor of Tang, I granted you the Brocade Kasaya and the Nine-Ring Staff. Those who don the kasaya shall not fall into the cycle of reincarnation, and those who hold the staff shall be protected from poisons.

However, the journey to the Western Heaven is eighty-one thousand miles long, filled with perilous mountains and treacherous waters, brimming with wolves, insects, tigers, and leopards. To go to the Western Heaven, one must possess great wisdom, great perseverance, and a spirit of great fearlessness.

Are you willing to go?" Seated on the Lotus Platform, Guanyin's face was full of compassion and serenity, her chant faintly audible.

"The disciple is willing."

"Amitabha, very well, then. When you successfully complete your journey to the West, you shall certainly attain a Golden Body and true fruition."

Things were very simple; by this point, Bodhisattva Guanyin had asked him to journey to the West for the scriptures and he had no room to refuse. Having agreed, naturally, Bodhisattva Guanyin encouraged him.

Having fulfilled his task of guiding Xuanzang on his Journey to the West, he did not intend to stay longer. Bodhisattva Guanyin then prepared to leave.

"Bodhisattva, wait..." Seeing Bodhisattva Guanyin turning to leave, Jiang Liu couldn't help but call out.

Halting in mid-air, Guanyin looked toward Jiang Liu, "Xuanzang, do you have something else to ask?"

"I want to know, did you come here alone, Bodhisattva? Didn't you bring anyone else with you?" Jiang Liu hesitated before asking, unable to suppress his concern for Gaoyang's situation.

Though he felt that for the time being, the Buddhist Sect had no reason to harm Gaoyang, he couldn't feel at ease without seeing her for himself.

Guanyin Bodhisattva understood the implication of Jiang Liu's question and answered, "Amitabha, indeed, this time I came alone. However, before this visit, someone had asked me to pass a message to you. On the day you reach Spirit Mountain, there will be a meal waiting for you."

With those words, Bodhisattva Guanyin transformed into a beam of Buddhist Light and departed into the distance.

Jiang Liu's face showed a soft smile in response to this answer.

He clearly remembered how in the past, when he lived in seclusion with Gaoyang, he was the one who cooked, and she, feeling indebted, made him a promise when she was gravely poisoned and near death: if there were a next life, she wished to be the one cooking at his stove.

(PS: And thus, the first volume of the Holy Monk of Great Tang ends, and next, the official Journey to the West begins...)