Chapter 91

Where does one apply effort in cultivating Chan? Swiftly cut away the wild horse and frantic ape. Hold fast and bind them tight—five colors will emerge; Pause but a moment—you fall into the three evil paths. If you let them run free, the divine elixir will leak; Just give a little slack, and the jadelike nature withers. Joy, anger, worry, and thought must all be swept clean; Grasp the mystery, grasp the wonder—just as if not grasping. Now to the tale: The master and his three disciples left Yuhua City and traveled smoothly onward, truly in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. After five or six days' journey, they saw another city wall. Tang Sanzang asked Wukong, "What place is this?" Wukong said, "It is a city. But on the wall there is a flagpole without a banner, so I do not know the locality—let us wait until we are nearer and then ask." When they reached the eastern suburb, they saw teahouses and wine shops buzzing on both sides, and rice markets and oil shops bustling with activity. In the streets were a few idle ruffians wandering about for amusement. Seeing Zhu Bajie's long snout, Sha Heshang's black face, and Sun Wukong's red eyes, they crowded around to gawk, but did not dare approach to ask questions. Tang Sanzang was sweating with anxiety, fearing they might stir up trouble. They passed by several more alley mouths but still had not reached the city. Suddenly they saw a mountain gate, above which were the three characters "Ci Yun Si" (Temple of Compassionate Clouds). Tang Sanzang said, "Let us go in here briefly to rest the horses and ask for a meal—how about that?" Wukong said, "Good, good." The four of them then entered together. Inside they saw: Precious towers majestic and fair, Jeweled seats lofty and grand. Buddha halls rise beyond the clouds, Monks' chambers still in moonlight stand. Red glow faintly shrouds the soaring stupa, Green trees in deep shade make the sutra-wheel clear. A true pure land, a mock dragon palace— Over the Great Hero Hall, purple clouds hover. Along the side corridors, idlers ceaselessly play; A single pagoda ever open for guests to ascend. In the censers, incense and fire burn from time to time; On the altar, lamp flowers gleam every night. Suddenly the bell from the abbot's quarters rings out, And monks respond by chanting sutras aloud. As the four were looking around, they saw a monk come out from beneath the corridor, who made a salute to Tang Sanzang and said, "Where does the master come from?" Tang Sanzang said, "I am a disciple from the Tang court of the Central Land." The monk immediately prostrated himself on the ground. Tang Sanzang hurriedly helped him up and said, "Reverend abbot, why do you perform such a great ceremony?" The monk pressed his palms together and said, "All who incline to goodness here, when they read scriptures and recite Buddha's name, all hope to be reborn in your Central Land. Just now seeing your master's bearing and robes—it is clear you earned this enjoyment through cultivation in a former life, and therefore I prostrate myself." Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "I am ashamed, I am ashamed. I am but a wandering monk—what enjoyment have I? If you, reverend abbot, can rest here at ease, that is truly enjoying blessings." The monk led Tang Sanzang into the main hall, where they paid homage to the Buddha images; only then did Tang Sanzang call his disciples to enter. It turned out that ever since the three of them saw the monk speaking with their master, they had turned their faces away, holding the horse, watching the luggage, and standing together in one spot, so the monk had not paid them any attention. But when he suddenly heard Tang Sanzang call out "Disciples," the three turned around. When the monk saw them, he cried out in fright, "Grandfather! How can your worthy disciples be so hideous?" Tang Sanzang said, "Ugly though they are, they do possess some dharma power, and I have relied greatly on their protection all along the way." While they were speaking, several more monks came out from inside and made their bows. The first monk said to those who came later, "This master is a personage from the great Tang of the Central Land, and those three are his worthy disciples." The monks all felt both joy and fear, and said, "Master, from the great kingdom of the Central Land—what brings you here?" Tang Sanzang said, "I have been commanded by the Tang emperor to go to Spirit Mountain to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures. Happening to pass by your noble region, I have come especially to your monastery, first to ask about the locality, and second to take a vegetarian meal before continuing on our way." Each of the monks was delighted, and they invited him again into the abbot's quarters. In the abbot's quarters there were also several monks who were conducting services for lay families. The one who had entered first called out, "Come, all of you, and see these personages from the Central Land. So the Central Land has both handsome and ugly ones! The handsome ones truly defy description and painting, while the ugly ones are utterly bizarre." Many monks and the lay sponsors all came to meet them. After the greetings, they all sat down. When tea was finished, Tang Sanzang asked, "What is the name of this honored place?" The monks said, "This is Jinping That very night was the fifteenth of the first month, the Lantern Festival. The monks said, "Master, the night before last we only watched the lanterns in the wild hills and at the pass. Tonight is the true festival—shall we go into the city and see the golden lanterns?" Tang Sanzang gladly agreed, and together with his three disciples and many monks of the temple, he entered the city to view the lanterns. It was truly: On this fine night of the fifteenth, The spring colors of the Shangyuan are harmonious. Flower lanterns hang in the bustling markets, And all sing together the songs of peace. Again one saw the six streets and three markets bright with lanterns, while in the half-sky a single mirror just rose. The moon was like Fengyi pushing up a disc of polished silver; the lanterns were like celestial maidens weaving a brocade spread upon the ground. The lanterns reflected the moon, doubling its radiance; the moon shone upon the lanterns, adding tenfold brilliance. One could not take in all the iron-locked star bridges, nor see the full array of lantern flowers and fiery trees. Snowflake lanterns, plum-blossom lanterns—as if spring ice were cut to pieces; embroidered-screen lanterns, painted-screen lanterns—pieced together in five colors. Walnut lanterns, lotus lanterns—hung high on lantern towers; green-lion lanterns, white-elephant lanterns—raised aloft on lantern frames. Shrimp lanterns, turtle lanterns—danced high before the booths; goat lanterns, rabbit lanterns—lively under the eaves. Eagle lanterns, phoenix lanterns—joined side by side; tiger lanterns, horse lanterns—walking together in pairs. Immortal-crane lanterns, white-deer lanterns—ridden by the God of Longevity; goldfish lanterns, great-whale lanterns—borne aloft by Li Bai. The Giant Turtle Mountain lantern—where the immortals gather; the galloping-horse lantern—where warriors join in combat. Myriad households had lantern-lit towers and terraces; for miles around, a world of clouds and mist. On that side, jade bridles jingled as they flew; on this side, fragrant carriages rumbled as they passed. Look at those crimson-towered chambers—leaning on railings, behind curtains, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, pairs of lovely maidens indulging in delight; by the green-water bridges—noisy and bustling, brocade-clustered, drunk and dazed, laughing heartily, pairs of strolling revelers playing in splendor. Throughout the city, drums and flutes clamored; all night long, the music of sheng and songs never ceased. A poem bears witness to this. The poem says: In the midst of brocade and splendor, they sing of "Gathering Lotuses"; Within the realm of peace, crowds of people throng. The lanterns shine, the moon is bright on Lantern Festival night; With timely rain and favorable winds, a bountiful year is in sight. At this time, the curfew was lifted, and in chaotic bustle, countless people swarmed about. There were dancers, stilt-walkers, ghost-imitators, elephant-riders—gathered here in clusters, there in throngs, too many to take in. Only then did they arrive at the Golden Lantern Bridge. As Tang Sanzang and the monks drew near to look, they saw that these were three golden lanterns. Each lantern was as large as a vat, and above them shone two stories of exquisite, translucent pavilions. They were woven entirely from fine gold wire, lined within with thin sheets of colored glass. Their light outshone the moon, and their oil gave forth a rare fragrance. Tang Sanzang turned and asked the monks, "What oil is used in these lanterns? How is it that such an extraordinary fragrance assails the nose?" The monks replied, "Master, you do not know. Behind this prefecture there is a county named Mintian County, which stretches for two hundred and forty li. Each year, when the corvée levies are assessed, there are altogether two hundred and forty great households who supply the lantern oil. All the other taxes and duties of the prefecture and county are bearable, but these great households suffer greatly: each family takes a turn for one year and must spend over two hundred taels of silver. This oil is no ordinary oil—it is suhe fragrant oil. Each ounce of this oil is worth two taels of silver, and each catty costs thirty-two taels. For these three lanterns, each vat holds five hundred catties; the three vats together total fifteen hundred catties, which comes to forty-eight thousand taels of silver. Add miscellaneous fees and expenses, and it comes to over fifty thousand taels—all for only three nights of burning." Wukong said, "So much oil—how can it be used up in just three nights?" The monks said, "In each vat are forty-nine large lamp wicks, each made of bundled rush pith wrapped in silk floss, as thick as a chicken's egg. After tonight's burning, when the Buddhas have manifested their presence, by tomorrow night the oil will be gone and the lamps will grow dim." Bajie laughed beside them and said, "I suppose the Buddhas take away even the oil." The monks said, "That is exactly the saying. Since ancient times to the present, all the households in the city have passed down this legend. When the oil is dry, people all say the Buddha has received the lamps, and naturally the five grains will prosper; if in any year it does not dry up, then that year will bring drought and famine, and wind and rain will be untimely. Therefore every household must make this offering." Just as they were speaking, a rushing wind was heard in midair, frightening all the lantern-gazers into scattering. The monks themselves could not keep their footing and said, "Master, let us return. The wind has come—it is the Buddha descending with auspicious signs to view the lanterns." Tang Sanzang said, "How do you know it is the Buddha come to see the lanterns?" The monks replied, "It is so every year. Before the third watch, there is always wind. We know it is the Buddhas descending with blessings, so everyone withdraws." Tang Sanzang said, "I, your disciple, am one who thinks of the Buddha, chants to the Buddha, and worships the Buddha. Now that we encounter this fine scene, if indeed the Buddhas have come, it would be wonderful to bow before them here and now." The monks repeatedly urged him to leave, but he would not turn back. In a short while, three Buddha-figures indeed appeared in the wind and drew near the lanterns. Startled, Tang Sanzang rushed to the top of the bridge and threw himself down in obeisance. Wukong hastily pulled him up and said, "Master, these are not good people—they must be demons." Before he finished speaking, the lantern light dimmed, and with a whoosh, the figures scooped up Tang Sanzang and flew off with him on the wind. Alas! One knows not from which mountain or which cave came these true demons, who for years had pretended to be Buddhas to behold the golden lanterns. Bajie was terrified and searched to both sides; Sha Seng called out left and right. Wukong shouted, "Brothers, no need to call out here. The master's joy has turned to sorrow—he has already been carried off by demons." The frightened monks said, "Venerable Sir, how do you know he was taken by demons?" Wukong laughed and said, "You mortals have been deceived for years without realizing it. You took demons for true Buddhas bringing blessings and offered these lamps to them. The Buddha-forms that appeared in the wind just now were three demons. My master did not recognize them either, and went to the bridge top to bow—but they darkened the lights, scooped up the oil in their vessels, and carried off even my master. I was a little slow, and so the three of them transformed into wind and fled." Sha Seng said, "Elder Brother, what are we to do now?" Wukong said, "Do not delay. You two return to the temple with the monks, watch over the horse and luggage, while I, Old Sun, take advantage of this wind and pursue them." Excellent Great Sage! He quickly mounted his Somersault Cloud, rose into midair, followed the stench of bloody wind, and gave chase straight to the northeast. He pursued until daybreak, when the wind suddenly ceased. Before him stood a great mountain, extremely perilous, truly towering and rugged—a fine mountain: Range upon range of hills and vales, Winding and curving springs and streams. Vines and creepers hang from sheer cliffs, Pines and cypresses stand tall on hollow crags. Cranes call in the morning mist, Wild geese cry among the dawn clouds. Lofty and erect, peaks like rows of halberds; Jutting and glistening, stones piled in terraces. The summit rises ten thousand fathoms high, Rugged ridges fold in a thousand bends. Wild flowers and fine trees know spring and bloom; Cuckoos and orioles respond to the scene in splendor. So majestic, truly craggy, Strange and jagged, perilous and steep. Long one gazes in silence, no one speaks— Only the snoring of tigers and leopards is heard. Fragrant musk deer and white deer come and go; Jade hares and blue wolves return and depart again. Deep ravines send waters flowing for thousands of miles; Whirling rapids strike the stones with a babbling sound. The Great Sage was on the mountain cliff looking for a path, when he saw four people driving three goats, coming down from the west slope, all shouting in unison: "Kai Tai." The Great Sage flashed his fiery golden eyes and looked carefully, recognizing them as the four Duty Gods of Year, Month, Day, and Hour, who had concealed their true forms and transformed themselves to come. The Great Sage at once drew out his iron staff, shook it once, and it became as thick as a bowl and twelve feet long. He leaped down from the cliff and shouted, "Where are you all going, hiding your heads and shrinking your necks?" When the four Duty Gods saw that he had seen through them, they hastily scattered the three goats, revealed their true forms, and stepped aside to bow, saying, "Forgive us, Great Sage, forgive us." Wukong said, "I haven't had any use for you all this while, and you've seen that Old Sun has been lenient, so each of you has grown lazy—you don't even come to see me. What is the meaning of this? Why haven't you been secretly protecting my master, and where have you all gone?" The Duty Gods said, "Your master has relaxed his Chan nature and has been indulging in pleasures at Ci Yun Temple in Jinping Sun Wukong watched for a while, could not hold back, and stepped forward, shouting loudly: "You filthy thieving fiend! Do you recognize Old Sun?" The demon bellowed: "Are you that Sun Wukong who caused havoc in Heaven? Truly, one has heard of your name but never seen your face—seeing your face would shame even the gods. So you turn out to be just such a monkey." The Great Sage grew furious and cursed: "You thieving lamp-oil pilferer, you oily-tongued monster, stop your nonsense and give me back my master at once!" He rushed forward and swung his iron staff to strike; the three old demons raised their three weapons and hastily parried the attack. This bout in the mountain hollow was a fine slaughter: Axes, broadswords, and the Geda-teng club flew, The Monkey King with one staff dared to meet them. The demons Chillcold, Chillheat, and Chilldust Knew well the name of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. The staff rose, making gods and ghosts fear; Axes and swords clashed, scattering in wild flight. Truly a Primal Chaos, Dharmic, True-Void Manifestation, Held off the three fiends' false Buddha forms. Those three, stealing oil to slick their snouts, this year have transgressed, Set on seizing the imperial envoy's monk. This one, for his master, feared not the distant mountain road; That one, for his palate, set out the yearly lamp-offerings. Ping-pang, only the sound of sword and axe was heard; Pi-pu, only the staff's noise rang out. Crashing and bashing, three massed against one; Parrying and blocking, each displayed his skill. They fought till the day was about to end, Who lost and who won, none could yet tell. Sun Wukong, with his single staff, battled the three demons for over a hundred and fifty rounds. As dusk fell, victory and defeat were still undecided. Then the Great King Chilldust flicked his Geda-teng club, leaped across the battle front, and waved his banner. That herd of bull-headed fiends swarmed forward, surrounded the Great Sage in the center, and each wielded his weapon, raining blows upon him. Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Sun Wukong swiftly somersaulted up onto his cloud and fled the field in defeat. The demons did not pursue him; they called back their horde, arranged an evening meal, and all ate. They also ordered a little demon to send a bowl to Tripitaka, intending to properly prepare him only after they had captured Sun Wukong and the others. As for the master, being a lifelong vegetarian and also grieving in sorrow, he wept bitterly and did not dare to touch the food—but of that no more. Now, the Great Sage rode the cloud back to Ciyun Monastery and called out: "Brothers!" Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing had been anxiously awaiting and consulting each other. Hearing his voice, they came out together to welcome him and asked: "Elder Brother, why have you been gone a whole day before returning? What exactly has become of the master?" The Great Sage laughed and said: "Last night I followed the wind and gave chase; by daybreak I reached a mountain but saw nothing. Fortunately, the Four Duty Guardians sent word that the mountain is called Green Dragon Mountain, and within it is a cave named Xuan Ying Cave. In that cave are three demons, called Great King Chillcold, Great King Chillheat, and Great King Chilldust. They have for years been stealing oil here, impersonating Buddha statues to deceive the officials and people of Jīnping Prefecture. This year they encountered us, and not knowing good from bad, they even carried off the master. After ascertaining the situation, I instructed the Duty Guardians and others to secretly protect the master; then I approached the cave entrance and shouted abuse. The three monsters came out together, all resembling bull-headed ghosts. The first wielded a battle-ax, the second a great saber, the third a rattan staff. Behind them they led a whole den of bull-headed fiendish creatures, waving banners and beating drums, and they fought with Old Sun for a whole day, matching me blow for blow. Then the demon king waved his banner and the lesser fiends all swarmed in. Seeing it was getting late and fearing I might not win, I somersaulted back." Zhu Bajie said: "Could it be that the Ghost King of Fengdu City is up to his mischief?" Sha Wujing said: "How do you guess it is the Ghost King of Fengdu City?" Bajie laughed: "Elder Brother says they are bull-headed fiends, so I know it." The Great Sage said: "No, no. As Old Sun sees them, those monsters are spirits of three rhinoceroses." Bajie said: "If they are rhinos, then once we catch them and saw off their horns, they should be worth a good few taels of silver." While they were speaking, the monks asked: "Would Elder Sun like to take the evening meal?" The Great Sage said: "It would be convenient to eat a little, but it doesn't matter if I don't." The monks said: "After a whole day of fighting, surely you are hungry?" The Great Sage laughed: "How could such a short while make me hungry? Old Sun once went five hundred years without eating or drinking." The monks did not know this was true and thought he was joking. Soon the food was brought, and the Great Sage ate some too. He said: "Let us pack up and sleep now; tomorrow we shall all go and engage them, capture the demon kings, and then we can rescue the master." Sha Wujing said from the side: "Elder Brother, what are you saying? As the saying goes: 'Delay breeds cunning.' If the fiends perhaps stay awake tonight and harm the master, what then? Better to go now and take them by surprise, so that we can save the master. Any later, and we might lose him." Hearing this, Zhu Bajie roused his divine might and said: "Brother Sha is right—let us all take advantage of this moonlight to subdue the demons." The Great Sage agreed and at once instructed the monastery monks: "Guard the luggage and the horse; wait until we capture the fiends, then we can present them to the prefect of this prefecture to prove they are false Buddhas, so that the lamp-oil tribute may be abolished and the hardship of all the county's common folk relieved—wouldn't that be good?" The monks obeyed. The three then mounted propitious clouds and left the city. And so it was: Listless and unrestrained, his Chan-nature was confused; Disaster and danger were his lot, his Dao-mind obscured. But whether this expedition would end in victory or defeat, pray listen to the explanation in the next chapter.