Chapter 100

Not to speak of how the four of them escaped and rode with the vajras on the wind. But to tell of the many people in the Salvation Monastery of Chen Family Village: when dawn came, they again prepared fruit and dishes to offer, and went up to the building, only to find that the Tang Monk was gone. One came to ask, another came to search; all were flustered and at a loss, crying out in misery: "Clear and plain, we have let a living Buddha go free." After a while, having no plan, they carried all the prepared items up to the building, offered sacrifices, and burned paper money. Thereafter, each year there were four great sacrifices and twenty-four lesser sacrifices. There were also those who came to report illnesses, to pray for safety, to seek marriage and make vows, to seek wealth and children—there was no day or hour when people did not come to burn incense and offer sacrifices. Truly: The golden censer never lacks the fire of a thousand years; The jade cup ever keeps the lamp of ten thousand ages. No more of this. Now the eight great vajras, using a second gust of fragrant wind, carried the four of them, and in no more than a day, brought them to the land of the East, gradually bringing Chang'an into view. Now, the Emperor Taizong, since the third day before the full moon of the ninth month in the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan reign, had seen the Tang Monk off from the city. By the sixteenth year, he had ordered officials of the Ministry of Works to build, outside the Xi'an Pass, a Scripture-Watching Tower to receive the scriptures. The Emperor came in person to this place every year. It happened that on that very day, he had ridden out and again ascended the tower, when suddenly he saw in the due west the sky filled with auspicious vapors and wafts of fragrant wind. The vajras halted in midair and called out: "Holy Monk, this is the city of Chang'an. We cannot go down; the people here are clever, and might reveal our forms. The Great Sage Sun and the other two need not go either. You yourself may deliver the scriptures to your lord, and then return at once. We shall wait for you in the heavens, and together we shall report the completion of the mission." The Great Sage said: "Your words, venerable ones, are proper; but how can my master carry the scripture load? How can he lead this horse? We must all go together to deliver him. I beg you to wait here in the sky a little while—I trust we dare not delay." The vajras said: "The other day, Guanyin Bodhisattva informed the Tathagata that the journey back and forth would take only eight days to complete the scripture count. Already more than four days have passed; we fear only that Bajie, coveting wealth and honor, may miss the deadline." Bajie laughed and said: "Master has become a Buddha, and I too hope to become a Buddha—how could I have any thought of coveting? You coarse, rude fellow? All of you wait here for me; once I have delivered the scriptures, I will come back and join you in dedicating the merit." The Idiot took up the load, Sha Monk led the horse, and the Pilgrim led the Holy Monk; all lowered their clouds and alighted beside the Scripture-Watching Tower. When Taizong and the many officials saw them, they came down from the tower to welcome them, saying: "Elder Brother of the Imperial House, you have come?" The Tang Monk at once prostrated himself. Taizong helped him up and asked again: "Who are these three?" The Tang Monk said: "They are disciples I took in along the way." Taizong was greatly delighted and ordered the attendant officials: "Saddle my imperial carriage horse, and invite the Imperial Elder Brother to mount, and return to court with me." The Tang Monk gave thanks for the favor and mounted the horse. The Great Sage, twirling his golden-banded staff, followed close behind; Bajie and Sha Monk both supported the horse and carried the load, and together they entered Chang'an in the imperial retinue. Truly: In those years, clear peace and joyous prosperity reigned, Civil and military officers, secure, displayed their brilliance. In the arena of land and water, monks expounded the Dharma; In the Golden Luan Hall, the sovereign dispatched his minister. The passport and edict were granted to Tripitaka of Tang; The scriptures and scrolls were given in accord with the Five Phases. Through bitter toil, the fierce demons were one by one destroyed; Now, with merit accomplished, they joyfully appear at the capital. The four of them, following the imperial carriage into the court, were known throughout the entire city—there was no one who did not know that the scripture-seekers had arrived. Now, in the great and small monks of the Hongfu Monastery, where the Tang Monk had formerly dwelt in Chang'an, when they saw that several pine trees had all turned their heads to face east, they exclaimed in astonishment: "Strange! Strange! There was no wind tonight—how have all these treetops twisted around?" Among them, an old disciple of Tripitaka said: "Quick, bring clothes—the old master who went for scriptures has returned." The other monks asked: "How do you know this?" The old disciple said: "When the master left that year, he said: 'After I go, whether in three or five years, or six or seven, when you see the pine branches all turned eastward, then I shall have returned.' My master's words are like a Buddha's holy speech—that is how I know." They hurriedly put on their robes and went out. When they reached West Street, people were already spreading the news: "The scripture-seekers have just arrived, and His Majesty the Emperor has brought them into the city." Hearing this, the monks ran even more urgently, and then met them. Seeing the great imperial procession, they dared not approach closely, but followed behind to the outside of the court gates. The Tang Monk dismounted and entered the court with the others. The Tang Monk had the dragon-horse and the scripture load, along with the Pilgrim, Bajie, and Sha Monk, stand below the jade steps. Taizong summoned his Imperial Elder Brother to ascend the hall and offered him a seat. The Tang Monk again gave thanks for the favor and sat down, then ordered the scripture volumes to be brought up. The Pilgrim and the others brought them out, and the close attendants passed them up. Taizong then asked: "How many scriptures are there? And how were they obtained?" Tripitaka said: "Your subject monk reached Vulture Peak and paid homage to the Buddha. He then sent the two venerable ones, Ananda and Kasyapa, first to lead me to the precious building to be given a meal, and then to the jeweled pavilion to transmit the scriptures. Those venerable ones demanded a gift of merit; because I had not prepared one, I did not give it to them, so they handed over the scriptures. When I had given thanks to the Buddha for his grace and set out eastward, suddenly a demon wind snatched the scriptures away. Fortunately, my little disciples have some magic powers and pursued and seized them back, though they had been scattered about. When we opened them to look, they were all wordless blank copies. We were startled and went back to beseech the Buddha again. The Buddha said: 'When these scriptures were completed, there were bhiksu holy monks who descended the mountain and recited them once for the household of the elder Zhao in the country of Sravasti, blessing his family so that the living were safe and the dead delivered—and they asked only three pecks and three pints of grain-gold in return, yet the Buddha considered they had sold them too cheaply, so that later the descendants had no money to use.' I realized that the two venerable ones were demanding a gift, and the Buddha knew it well; I had no choice but to give them the purple-gold alms bowl bestowed by Your Majesty, and then they transmitted the true scriptures with words. These scriptures are in thirty-five divisions; from each division a few scrolls were selected and brought, totaling five thousand and forty-eight scrolls. This number exactly makes one canon." Taizong was all the more pleased and ordered: "Let the Court of Imperial Entertainments prepare a feast in the Eastern Pavilion to express gratitude." Then he suddenly saw his three disciples standing below the steps, with extraordinary appearances, and asked: "Are your eminent disciples indeed foreigners?" The elder prostrated himself and said: "The eldest disciple is surnamed Sun, with the Dharma-name Wukong, and I also call him Sun Wukong. He was originally from the Water-Curtain Cave on Flower-Fruit Mountain in the Aolai Kingdom of the Eastern Continent of Superior Body. Five hundred years ago, because he caused great havoc in Heaven, he was trapped by the Buddha in a stone casket under the Two-Boundary Mountain in the Western Region. By the kindness of Guanyin Bodhisattva, who exhorted him to good, he willingly took refuge. It was I who rescued him there, and I owe much to this disciple for his protection. The second disciple is surnamed Zhu, with the Dharma-name Wuneng, and I also call him Zhu Bajie. He was originally from the Cloud-Streak Cave on Fling Mountain. Because he caused mischief at the Gao Village in U-Tsang, he too was persuaded to goodness by the Bodhisattva, and it was thanks to the Pilgrim that he was taken in. Along the journey, he has been strong in carrying the load and meritorious in crossing waters. The third disciple is surnamed Sha, with the Dharma-name Wujing, and I also call him Sha Monk. He was originally a monster in the Flowing Sands River, and he too was persuaded to goodness by the Bodhisattva and accepted into the monastic discipline. As for that horse, it is not the one Your Majesty bestowed." Taizong said: "Its coat markings are the same—how is it not?" Tripitaka said: "When I reached the Eagle Grief Gorge at Serpent Coil Mountain and crossed the water, my original horse was swallowed by this horse. Thanks to the Pilgrim, who invited the Bodhisattva to inquire into this horse's origin, it turned out to be the son of the Dragon King of the Western Sea, who, because of an offense, was also saved and released by the Bodhisattva, who instructed him to serve as my mount. He then transformed into the appearance of the original horse, with identical markings. Fortunately, he has been able to climb mountains and cross ridges, traversing rugged terrain; I rode him on the outward journey, and he carried the scriptures on the return—I have also relied greatly on his strength." When Emperor Taizong heard this, he praised him without end. He then asked again: "Traversing so far to the West, just how many leagues did the journey amount to?" Sanzang said: "In all, according to the Bodhisattva's words, it was a distance of one hundred and eight thousand leagues. Along the way I did not keep count, but I know only that we passed through fourteen cycles of cold and heat. Every day was mountains, every day were ridges. We encountered no small forests, and crossed broad, swelling waters. We also passed through several kingdoms, and all provided their verification seals." He called out: "Disciples, bring up the travel passport and present it to His Majesty for submission." At once they handed it over. Taizong looked at it—it had been issued on the fifteenth day of the ninth month of the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan reign. Taizong laughed and said: "You have toiled long on distant journeys, and now it is already the twenty-seventh year of Zhenguan." On the passport were the seals of the Kingdom of Precious Images, the Kingdom of the Black Rooster, the Kingdom of Chariots, the Kingdom of Women of the Western Liang, the Kingdom of Sacrifice, the Kingdom of Crimson Purple, the Kingdom of Bhikṣus, the Kingdom of Extinction of Dharma, as well as the seals of Fengxian District, Yuhua Prefecture, Jinping After he finished writing, he immediately summoned the holy monk. By this time the elder was already outside the court gate awaiting thanks; upon hearing the summons he entered hastily and performed the prostration ceremony. Emperor Taizong bade him come up to the hall and handed the text to him. The elder read it through, then again descended to give thanks and memorialized: "Your Majesty's composition is lofty and antique, its reasoning profound and subtle. But I do not know what title it bears?" Taizong said: "I extemporized it last night in reply to your sentiments, O Imperial Brother, and named it 'The Preface to the Sacred Teaching.' I wonder if it is any good?" The elder kowtowed and gave endless thanks. Taizong further said: "My talents are unworthy of fine jade, my words shameful before metal and stone. As for the inner canon, I have especially not heard of it. This impromptu preface is indeed rustic and clumsy—soiling the brush and ink upon golden tablets, marking tiles and pebbles amid the jewel grove. When I examine myself and reflect, I am abashed in face and mortified in heart. It is hardly worthy of praise, and I am put to vain trouble in receiving your thanks." At that time the many officials all offered congratulations, paid homage to the imperial preface on the Sacred Teaching, and spread it throughout the court and beyond. Taizong said: "Imperial Brother, how would it be if you were to recite and expound the true scriptures for a while?" The elder said: "Your Majesty, if I am to expound the true scriptures, I must find a place of Buddha. The precious hall is not a place for recitation." Taizong was greatly pleased and asked the attending officers: "In the city of Chang'an, which monastery is pure and clean?" From the ranks stepped forth Grand Scholar Xiao Yu, who memorialized: "Within the city there is the Wild Goose Pagoda Monastery, which is pure and clean." Taizong then ordered the many officials: "Each of you reverently hold several scrolls of the true scriptures and accompany me to the Wild Goose Pagoda Monastery, so that we may ask the Imperial Brother to discourse on the scriptures." The many officials thereupon each held their scrolls and followed the emperor to the monastery, where a high platform was erected and everything was arranged in order. The elder then ordered: "Eight Rules and Sha Monk, lead the dragon horse and arrange the luggage; Pilgrim is to stay at my left and right." He also said to Taizong: "Your Majesty, if you wish to transmit the true scriptures throughout the world, you must first have copies transcribed before they can be distributed. The original texts should still be treasured and not lightly profaned." Taizong laughed again and said: "The Imperial Brother's words are most proper, most proper." He thereupon summoned the officials of the Hanlin Academy and the Secretariat to transcribe the true scriptures. He also had a monastery built east of the city, named the Transcription Yellow Monastery. The elder took several scrolls and ascended the platform, and was about to recite them when suddenly a fragrant wind curled about, and in midair the Eight Great Vajras appeared and called out loudly: "You who recite the scriptures, lay down the scrolls and follow us back to the West." Below, Pilgrim, the other two, and the white horse rose from the ground; the elder likewise cast down the scrolls and rose from the platform into the ninth heaven, following them into the air. In alarm, Taizong and the many officials bowed to the sky. This is exactly: The holy monk strove hard to fetch the scriptures, In western lands he journeyed full fourteen years. Bitter roads he traversed, meeting woes and perils; Many mountains and streams he crossed, suffering adversity. When the work was complete, to eight and nine he added nine, His practice fulfilled three thousand and great chiliocosms. The great awakening's wondrous texts returned to the upper realm, To this day in the Eastern Lands they remain forever passed down. After Taizong and the many officials had finished bowing, they selected eminent monks and at the Wild Goose Pagoda Monastery held a Land and Water Assembly, where they recited the complete canon of true scriptures to liberate the ghostly spirits of the dark underworld and broadly bestow good fortune. The transcribed scriptures were distributed throughout the world—of this no more need be said. Now the Eight Great Vajras, riding on fragrant wind, led the elder and the four companions, together with the horse—five souls in all—back to Spirit Mountain. Going and returning, it happened to be within eight days. At this time all the spirits of Spirit Mountain were before the Buddha listening to his discourse. The eight Vajras led the master and disciples in and said to Tathagata: "We disciples formerly received your golden decree and escorted the holy monk and the rest to the Land of Tang, where we delivered the scriptures. We have now come to return the decree." They then bade Tang Sanzang and the others approach to receive their offices. Tathagata said: "Holy monk, in your former life you were my second disciple, named Golden Cicada. Because you did not heed the Dharma and slighted my great teaching, you were banished in your true spirit to be reborn in the Eastern Lands. Now I rejoice that you have taken refuge, upheld my admonitions, and, availing yourself of my teaching, have fetched the true scriptures. Your merits are great; I advance you to the great office of true fruition—you shall be the Candana Merit Buddha. Sun Wukong, because you wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, I used my profound dharma power to press you beneath the Five Elements Mountain. Fortunately your heavenly calamity was fulfilled and you returned to the释教; I rejoice that you concealed evil and promoted good, and on the way you had merit in subduing demons and vanquishing monsters, from beginning to end. I advance you to the great office of true fruition—you shall be the Victorious Fighting Buddha. Zhu Wuneng, you were originally the Heavenly River's water spirit, Marshal Tianpeng; because at the Peach Banquet you drank to excess and toyed with the fairy maidens, you were banished to the lower world to be reborn in the form of a beast. Fortunately you remembered to cherish human form, and though you wrought evil at Cloudy Paths Cave on Mount Fuling, I rejoice that you returned to the great teaching, entered my monastic order, and protected the holy monk along the way—yet you still have a stubborn heart and your carnal nature is not wholly extinguished. Because you had merit in carrying the load, I advance you to the office of true fruition and make you the Cleanser of the Altar." Zhu Bajie cried out: "They have all become Buddhas—how is it that you make me only a Cleanser of the Altar?" Tathagata said: "Because you have a big mouth and a lazy body, and your stomach is vast. Throughout the four great continents of the world, there are many who revere my teaching; whenever there are Buddhist rites, I bid you cleanse the altars—this is a grade of enjoyment. How is it not good? Sha Wujing, you were originally the Curtain-Raising General. First, because you broke a glass cup at the Peach Banquet, you were banished to the lower world, and you fell to the Flowing Sands River, where you harmed life and ate people, creating evil. Fortunately you took refuge in my teaching, with sincerity and reverence upholding my admonitions, protecting the holy monk, and you had merit in climbing mountains and leading the horse. I advance you to the great office of true fruition—you shall be the Golden Body Arhat." He also addressed the white horse: "You were originally the son of the Dragon King of the Western Ocean's Broad Jin Realm; because you disobeyed your father's command, you committed the sin of unfilial conduct. Fortunately you were able to take refuge in body and in dharma, and enter my monastic order. Every day you bore the holy monk on your back to the West, and again you bore the holy scriptures to the East—you also have merit. I advance you to the office of true fruition—you shall be the Eight-Division Heavenly Dragon Horse." The elder and his four companions all kowtowed and gave thanks. The horse likewise gave thanks. He then ordered the Revealers to lead the horse down to the rear cliff of Spirit Mountain, to the Dragon Transformation Pool, and push the horse into the pool. In a moment, the horse gave a shake of its body, shed its hide and hair, changed its head and horns, and over its whole body grew golden scales; beneath its jaws sprouted silver whiskers. Wreathed in auspicious energy and with propitious clouds on its four hooves, it flew out of the Dragon Transformation Pool and coiled around the great pillar that holds up the sky at the monastery gate. All the Buddhas praised Tathagata's great Dharma. Sun Wukong then said to Tang Sanzang: "Master, now I have become a Buddha, the same as you. Surely I should not still be wearing this golden fillet? Will you still recite the Tightening Band mantra to constrain me? Best recite the Loose-Band mantra early, take it off and smash it to pieces. And don't let some bodhisattva use it to torment others again." Tang Sanzang said: "At that time it was only because you were hard to control that I used this method to subdue you. Now that you have become a Buddha, it naturally vanishes—how could it still remain on your head? You may try feeling for it." Pilgrim raised his hand and felt it—indeed it was gone. At this time the Candana Buddha, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, the Cleanser of the Altar, and the Golden Body Arhat had each attained their proper fruition, and the Heavenly Dragon Horse had also returned to truth. There is a poem to attest to this. The poem says: The one true suchness turned and fell to dust, Conjoining the four marks, the body was restored. The five elements discourse on form—emptiness still quiescent; All hundred monstrous names need not be told. True fruition—Candana returns to great awakening; The offices complete, they escape from sinking doom. The scriptures spread abroad, their gracious light is vast— The five sages dwell on high in the peerless gate. At the time when the five sages attained their fruition, all the multitudes of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, holy monks, Arhats, Revealers, Bhikshus, Upasakas and Upasikas, immortals from all mountains and caves, great spirits, Dingjia, Merit Officers, Dharmapalas, and Earth Deities—all who had attained the Way—had first come to listen to the discourse, and now each returned to his proper direction. Behold: On Vulture Peak gathered rosy clouds, In the Land of Ultimate Bliss assembled auspicious vapors. The golden dragon lies securely, the jade tiger rests at ease. The sun and moon come and go as they will; Tortoise and serpent coil as they please. The crimson phoenix and azure luan are spirited and gay; The dark ape and white deer are tranquil and content. Flowers of the eight seasons, immortal fruits in all four. Lofty pines and ancient junipers, emerald cypresses and tall bamboos. The five-colored plum now blooms, now bears fruit; The peaches of ten thousand years ripen ever anew. A thousand fruits and a thousand flowers vie in splendor, And all day auspicious vapors float thickly about. The assembly joined palms in homage and all chanted: Namo Dīpaṃkara Buddha of Ancient Times. Namo Bhaiṣajyaguru Vaiḍūryaprabha Rāja Buddha. Namo Śākyamuni Buddha. Namo Past, Future, and Present Buddhas. Namo Pure Joy Buddha. Namo Vipulakāya Buddha. Namo Ratnaketu Rāja Buddha. Namo Maitreya Honored Buddha. Namo Amitābha Buddha. Namo Amitāyus Buddha. Namo Guide to Return to Truth Buddha. Namo Vajra Indestructible Buddha. Namo Ratnaprabha Buddha. Namo Dragon-Honored Rāja Buddha. Namo Diligent and Good Buddha. Namo Ratnacandraprabha Buddha. Namo Manifested Non-ignorance Buddha. Namo Varuṇa Buddha. Namo Nārāyaṇa Buddha. Namo Merit-Flower Buddha. Namo Talent-Merit Buddha. Namo Well-Paced Buddha. Namo Candana Light Buddha. Namo Maṇi Banner Buddha. Namo Wisdom Torch Illumination Buddha. Namo Ocean-Virtue Radiant Light Buddha. Namo Great Compassion Light Buddha. Namo Compassion Power Rāja Buddha. Namo Virtuous and Good Foremost Buddha. Namo Vast Adornment Buddha. Namo Golden Flower Light Buddha. Namo Talent Radiant Light Buddha. Namo Supreme Wisdom Buddha. Namo World Serene Light Buddha. Namo Sun-Moon Light Buddha. Namo Sun-Moon Pearl Light Buddha. Namo Wisdom Banner Supreme Rāja Buddha. Namo Wondrous Voice Buddha. Namo Constant Light Banner Buddha. Namo World-Observing Lamp Buddha. Namo Dharma Supreme Rāja Buddha. Namo Sumeru Light Buddha. Namo Great Wisdom Power Rāja Buddha. Namo Golden Sea Light Buddha. Namo Great Penetration Light Buddha. Namo Talent Light Buddha. Namo Candana Merit Buddha. Namo Battle-Victorious Buddha. Namo Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Namo Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva. Namo Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva. Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Namo Pure Ocean of Great Multitude Bodhisattvas. Namo Lotus Pool Ocean Assembly Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Namo All Bodhisattvas of the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. Namo the Three Thousand Great Vidyārāja Bodhisattvas. Namo the Five Hundred Great Arhat Bodhisattvas. Namo Bhikṣu and Upāsaka Bodhisattvas. Namo Boundless and Immeasurable Dharma Bodhisattvas. Namo Vajra Great Sage Holy Bodhisattvas. Namo Pure Altar Messenger Bodhisattva. Namo Eight-Treasure Vajra-body Arhat Bodhisattvas. Namo Eightfold Division Heavenly Dragons Vast Power Bodhisattvas. Thus all Buddhas of all worlds: May we dedicate this merit To adorn the Buddha's Pure Land. May we repay the four kinds of kindness above, And relieve the three paths of suffering below. May all who see and hear Arouse the bodhi mind. May we all be born together in the Land of Ultimate Bliss And fully repay this very body. To all Buddhas of the ten directions and three times, To all honored Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas, Mahāprajñāpāramitā. Here ends *The Journey to the West*.