Chapter 98

Having been restored to life, Squire Kou then had the banners, canopies, drums, and music rearranged, along with the monks, Taoists, relatives, and friends, and saw them off as before—but of that no more. Now we were told that the four pilgrims of Tang had taken the main road, and indeed this was the Western Land of Buddha, unlike any other place: they saw rare flowers and wondrous grasses, ancient cypresses and hoary pines; in every place they passed, every household inclined to goodness, every home offered vegetarian meals to monks; wherever they went beneath the mountains, people practiced cultivation, and again they saw travelers in the forests reciting scriptures. The master and his disciples traveled by night and by day, and after another six or seven days, they suddenly saw a stretch of lofty towers and several tiers of magnificent pavilions. Truly: Soaring a hundred feet to the sky, piercing the Han and vaulting above the void. Bowing the head, they watched the setting sun; reaching out a hand, they plucked the flying stars. Spacious windows and galleries engulfed the universe; towering rafters and pillars joined the cloud screens. The yellow crane brought tidings when autumn trees were old; the phoenix letter came when evening winds were clear. This was the numinous palace and precious阙, the jade hall and pearl court. In the true hall they discoursed on the Way; throughout the cosmos they transmitted the scriptures. Flowers bloomed fair with spring's coming; pines grew green after rain. The purple-fungus immortal fruit flourished year by year; the azure phoenix's auspicious flight moved all with its spirit. Tripiṭaka raised his whip and pointed into the distance, saying, "Wukong, what a fine place!" The Monkey King said, "Master, at those false realms and false Buddha images, you insisted on prostrating yourself; but today, having reached this true realm and true Buddha image, you still do not dismount—why is that?" Hearing this, Tripiṭaka was so flustered that he turned over and jumped down, and they were already at the gate of the pavilions. Just then they saw a young Daoist acolyte standing slantwise before the mountain gate, who called out in response, "Those who come—are they not the sutra-seekers from the East?" The elder hastily straightened his robes and looked up. He saw: He wore brocade garments, and in his hand he waved a jade fly-whisk. Wearing brocade garments, he often attended banquets in the jeweled pavilions and jade pools; Waving the jade fly-whisk, he ever swept the dust in the cinnabar terraces and purple mansions. At his elbow hung an immortal register, and on his feet were cloud-patterned shoes. Truly an ethereal perfected one, of elegant and wondrous bearing. He had refined the elixir of longevity and dwelt in a fair realm; he had cultivated eternal life and cast off the mundane dust. The holy sage did not recognize this guest of the Spirit Mountain— It was the Golden Summit Great Immortal of years gone by. The Great Sage Sun recognized him and at once called out, "Master, this is the Golden Summit Great Immortal of the Jade Truth Monastery at the foot of the Spirit Mountain. He has come to receive us." Only then did Tripiṭaka wake up and step forward to pay his respects. The Great Immortal laughed and said, "Holy Sage, you have only arrived this year. I have been deceived by Bodhisattva Guanyin. Ten years ago, she received the Buddha's golden decree and went eastward to find a sutra-seeker, saying that he would reach my place in two or three years. I waited year after year, but there was not a trace of news. Unexpectedly, we meet only this year." Tripiṭaka pressed his palms together and said, "I am deeply grateful for your great kindness, most grateful indeed." Thereupon the four of them led the horse and carried the luggage, and together entered the monastery. They then met the Great Immortal one by one. He at once ordered tea to be served and a vegetarian feast laid out. He also bade the young acolytes boil fragrant hot water for the holy sage to bathe, so that he might then set foot on the Buddha-land. Just as it is said: When merit is complete and practice fulfilled, one should bathe; Refine and tame the original nature to harmonize with the true heaven. After a thousand hardships and ten thousand toils, now at last they cease; By the nine precepts and three refuges, one begins anew. When demons are utterly vanquished, indeed one reaches the Buddha-land; When calamities are dispelled, one therefore beholds the Sangha. Wash away the dust and scrub off the grime, wholly undefiled; Return to the root and restore the origin, the indestructible body. After the master and disciples had bathed, before they knew it, the day was drawing to a close, so they lodged for the night in the Jade Truth Monastery. The next morning, Tripiṭaka changed his clothes, donned his jeweled kasaya of brocaded embroidery, put on his Vairocana crown, took up his monastic staff, and ascended the hall to take leave of the Great Immortal. The Great Immortal laughed and said, "Yesterday you were tattered and torn; today you are resplendent. Seeing you in this aspect, you are truly a son of Buddha." Tripiṭaka bowed and was about to depart. The Great Immortal said, "Wait a moment. Let me see you off." The Monkey King said, "You need not escort us—Old Sun knows the way." The Great Immortal said, "What you know is the cloud-road; the holy sage has not yet ascended the cloud-road, so he should proceed by the ground path." The Monkey King said, "That makes sense. Though Old Sun has made the journey several times, I have always come and gone by cloud and never actually set foot on this ground. Since there is a ground path, I will trouble you to escort us. My master is most earnest in worshiping the Buddha—please do not delay." The Great Immortal, smiling, took Tripiṭaka by the hand and led him to the Dharma-gate of the Candana Terrace. It turned out that this path did not leave by the mountain gate; it went straight through the main hall of the monastery and emerged from the rear gate. The Great Immortal pointed at the Spirit Mountain and said, "Holy Sage, do you see the five-colored auspicious light and the thousand-fold radiant clouds in mid-heaven? That is the peak of the Vulture Peak, the sacred realm of the Buddha." As soon as Tripiṭaka saw it, he bowed. The Monkey King laughed and said, "Master, this is not yet the place for bowing. As the saying goes, 'Looking at the mountain, one walks the horse down.' We are still far from that peak—why bow now? If you bow all the way to the top, how many kowtows would that be?" The Great Immortal said, "Holy Sage, you and the Great Sage, Heavenly Reeds, and Curtain-Roller—the four of you—have already reached the blessed land and can see the Spirit Mountain. I shall return now." Tripiṭaka then took his leave and departed. The Great Sage led Tripiṭaka and the others, walking slowly step by step, up the Spirit Mountain. Before they had gone five or six li, they saw a rushing stream of living water, with rolling waves and flying currents, about eight or nine li wide, with no human trace anywhere. Tripiṭaka was alarmed and said, "Wukong, this road must be wrong. Could the Great Immortal have misdirected us? This water is so wide and so turbulent, and there is no boat in sight—how can we cross?" The Monkey King laughed and said, "No mistake. Do you not see that great bridge over there? We must cross over by that bridge to achieve the true fruit." The elder and the others drew nearer to look, and on the bridge there was a plaque with three characters: "Lingyun Du"—Cloud-Ascent Ferry. It turned out to be a single log bridge. Truly: Seen from afar, it spans the sky like a jade beam; Viewed close up, it cuts the water as a single withered raft. To bridge rivers and span seas is still easy enough, But how can men tread upon a single log and single beam? A ten-thousand-foot rainbow lies flat with its shadow, A thousand-fathom white silk joins the edge of heaven. Extremely slippery and smooth, it is hard to cross— Unless one is an immortal treading on rosy clouds. Tripiṭaka, his heart trembling with fear, said, "Wukong, this bridge is not for human feet. Let us find another path." The Monkey King laughed and said, "This is the very path, the very path." Bajie was flustered and said, "This is a path? Who would dare walk it? The water is wide, the waves surge, and it is but a single log, thin and slippery—how can one move one's feet?" The Monkey King said, "All of you stand still, and let Old Sun show you how it is done." The splendid Great Sage, striding forth, jumped onto the single-log bridge, swaying and staggering, and in a moment he had run across to the other side, where he called out, "Come over, come over." Tripiṭaka waved his hands. Bajie and Sha Monk bit their fingers and said, "Hard, hard, hard." The Monkey King ran back from the other side and tugged at Bajie, saying, "Idiot, come with me, come with me." Bajie lay flat on the ground and said, "Slippery, slippery, slippery—I cannot walk. Spare me, and let me cross by wind and mist." The Monkey King held him down and said, "What place is this, that you are allowed to ride wind and mist? You must cross over this bridge to become a Buddha." Bajie said, "Brother, even if I cannot become a Buddha, so be it—I truly cannot walk." The two of them were tussling and pulling by the bridge, and Sha Monk came over to mediate, and only then did they let go. Tripiṭaka turned his head and suddenly saw someone in the lower current punting a boat along, calling out, "Ferry crossing, ferry crossing!" The elder was overjoyed and said, "Disciples, stop your foolish play. There is a ferryboat coming." The three of them jumped up and stood still, and all looked together. As the boat drew near, they saw that it was a bottomless boat. The Monkey King, with his fiery golden eyes, recognized it at once as the Buddha who receives and guides, also known as the Southward Jeweled Canopy Light King Buddha. But the Monkey King did not reveal this; he merely called out, "Come here, bring it alongside." In an instant, it was punted close to the shore, and again it called, "Ferry crossing, ferry crossing!" When Tripiṭaka saw it, he was again startled and said, "How can this bottomless, broken boat carry people across?" The Buddha said, "This boat of mine: From the very first division of chaos it has had its name; Happily I have punted it, never changing its course. Though there be waves and wind, it remains steady; Without end or beginning, it delights in peace and calm. The six dusts untainted, it can return to the One; Through ten thousand kalpas it moves safely and freely. A bottomless boat is hard to cross the sea with, Yet from ancient times to the present it ferries all living beings." Sun Wukong pressed his palms together and thanked him, saying, "I am grateful for your kind intention in receiving my master. -- Master, get on the boat. Though this boat of his has no bottom, it is stable; even if there are winds and waves, it will not capsize." The elder was still alarmed and doubtful, but the Great Sage took him by the arm and gave him a shove upward. The master could not keep his footing and tumbled into the water with a splash, but was immediately pulled up by the boatman and set standing on the boat. The master shook out his clothes and stamped his shoes, complaining about the Pilgrim. The Pilgrim then led Sha Monk and Eight Rules, brought the horse and carried the luggage, and also boarded the boat; they all stood on the gunwales. The Buddha gently pushed off with his pole, and then they saw a corpse floating down from upstream. The elder was greatly startled. The Pilgrim laughed and said, "Master, do not be afraid. That one is actually you." Eight Rules also said, "It is you, it is you." Sha Monk clapped his hands and also said, "It is you, it is you!" The boatman, chanting a work song, also said, "That is you; congratulations, congratulations." The three of them chimed in together in response. They poled the boat, and before long they crossed the Immortal Ferry of the Azure Clouds safely and steadily. Only then did Tripitaka turn around and lightly leap onto the other shore. There is a poem as witness: Casting off the fetal shell and mortal frame, The primal spirit alone is dear and true. Today the journey's end achieves the Buddha's name, Washed clean the sixfold dust of former years. This is truly what is called the vast wisdom that reaches the other shore, the unsurpassed Dharma. As the four of them came ashore and looked back, the bottomless boat had vanished without trace. Then the Pilgrim said that it was the Buddha of Reception and Guidance. Only then did Tripitaka realize the truth; he hastily turned around and thanked his three disciples in return. The Pilgrim said, "No need for mutual thanks; we have all supported one another. We have been freed by you, Master, and by your help we have found the path to cultivate our merits, fortunately attaining the true fruit. And you, Master, have relied on our protection and on the teachings to uphold you, and have joyfully shed your mortal frame. Master, look at the splendid scenery before you—the flowers, grasses, pines, bamboos, phoenixes, cranes, and deer—compared to the places where demons manifested themselves, which is fairer and which uglier? Which is good and which evil?" Tripitaka thanked them endlessly. Every one of them felt light and brisk as they stepped onto Mount Spirit. Soon they saw the ancient Thunderclap Monastery: Its summit scrapes the Milky Way's expanse, Its roots connect to Mount Sumeru's veins. Strange peaks stand in array, fantastic rocks rise jagged. Beneath the cliffs, magic grasses and wondrous flowers; Beside the winding paths, purple mushrooms and fragrant orchids. Immortal apes pluck fruit in peach groves, like fire blazing on gold; White cranes perch on pine boughs, as if smoke caressing jade. Pairs of colorful phoenixes, pairs of green luan birds— Colorful phoenixes, when they cry to the sun, bring omens of peace; Green luan birds, dancing in the wind, are rare in the world. They also saw gleaming golden tiles in overlapping mandarin-duck pattern, and bright glazed bricks paved like agate. On one side, on the other, all are palaces of pearl and towers of jade; To the south, to the north, endless precious halls and rare pavilions. The Hall of Deva Kings radiates rosy light; before the Hall of Dharma Protectors pours forth purple flames. The Stupa of Buddha appears, and the fragrance of the udumbara flower wafts. Truly, this place is so sublime it seems another heaven; the clouds idle, the daylight feels long. No worldly dust reaches here; all conditions are ended; the great Dharma hall endures through countless kalpas. The master and disciples, carefree and at ease, ascended to the summit of Mount Spirit. They saw under the green pines rows of upāsakas, and amid the emerald cypresses stood good men. The elder immediately made obeisance, and the upāsakas, upāsikās, bhikṣus, and bhikṣuṇīs hastily pressed their palms together and said, "Holy monk, please do not bow yet; after you have seen the Muni, then we may converse." The Pilgrim laughed, "Early, early; let us go pay respects to the Supreme One." The elder, waving his hands and stamping his feet, followed the Pilgrim until they reached the gate of Thunderclap Monastery. There the four great Deva Kings met them and said, "Has the holy monk come?" Tripitaka bowed and said, "Yes, your disciple Xuanzang has arrived." Having answered, he was about to enter the gate. The Deva Kings said, "Holy monk, wait a moment; let us report before you enter." One of the Deva Kings sent a messenger through the side gate to report to the four great Deva Kings at the second gate, saying that Tang monk had arrived; and from the second gate it was relayed to the third gate, saying that Tang monk had arrived. Inside the third gate were the divine monks who attended to offerings; when they heard that Tang monk had come, they hurried to the Great Hero Hall and reported to the World-Honored One, Śākyamuni Buddha, saying, "The holy monk from Tang has arrived at this precious mountain to fetch the scriptures." The Buddha was greatly pleased. He then summoned and arranged in two rows the eight Bodhisattvas, four Deva Kings, five hundred Arhats, three thousand Ācāryas, eleven great luminaries, and eighteen gāndhārvas. Then he issued his golden decree, summoning Tang monk to enter. Through each layer and each gate, they reverently obeyed the Buddha's decree, calling out, "Let the holy monk enter." This Tang monk, following the rules and regulations, together with Wukong, Wuneng, and Wujing, leading the horse and carrying the luggage, went straight through the mountain gate. As the verse says: In those years he strove, by imperial command, Took the passport, left the king, and stepped from jade stairs. At dawn he climbed the hills to meet the fog and dew; At dusk he pillowed on stones beneath the cloud and mist. Bearing the Chan staff, he trod three thousand miles of water; Carrying the monastic ring, he journeyed ten thousand leagues of crag. Ever mindful in his heart of seeking true fruition, Only today has he come to see the Tathāgata. When the four of them reached the front of the Great Hero Hall, they threw themselves down in worship before the Tathāgata. After paying homage, they also bowed to the left and right. After each had made the full circuit three times, they knelt again before the Buddha and presented the official travel passport. The Tathāgata looked through it all and then handed it back to Tripitaka. Tripitaka bowed low, touching his head to the ground, and addressed him, saying, "Your disciple Xuanzang, by the decree of the Great Tang emperor of the Eastern Lands, has come from afar to this precious mountain to reverently seek the true scriptures, in order to save all beings. I beg that our Buddha will show mercy and grant them soon so that I may return to my country." Then the Tathāgata opened his compassionate mouth and gave full play to his merciful heart, saying to Tripitaka, "Your Eastern Lands are the Southern Jambudvīpa Continent. Because the heavens are high and the earth broad, things are plentiful and people are many; they are given to much greed, much killing, much lust, much deception, much cheating, and much fraud. They do not honor the Buddha's teachings, do not incline to good causes, do not revere the three luminaries, do not value the five grains; they are unfilial, disloyal, unrighteous, and unkind; they deceive their own hearts, use big measures and small scales, take lives and slaughter living beings. They have accumulated boundless sins, their offenses are full and their evil is complete, leading to the calamities of the hells. Therefore they fall forever into the dark underworld, suffering the many tortures of pestles, mortars, and mills, and are transformed into beasts. They have those forms covered with hair and crowned with horns, using their bodies to repay debts and their flesh to feed others. That they sink forever into Avīci and cannot gain deliverance is all for these reasons. Although Confucius established there the teachings of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom, and the emperors have followed one another with laws of exile, hard labor, strangulation, and decapitation, what can be done about those who are dull, ignorant, and unrestrained? I now have three collections of scriptures that can free them from suffering and dissolve their calamities and transgressions. The collections: one Dharma collection, on heaven; one Discourse collection, on earth; one Sūtra collection, to save ghosts. Altogether there are thirty-five sections, comprising fifteen thousand one hundred and forty-four scrolls. Truly these are the path to cultivate truth and the gate to perfect goodness. All the astronomy, geography, figures, birds, beasts, flowers, trees, implements, and human affairs of the four great continents under heaven are recorded without exception. You have come from afar, and I intended to give you the complete set to take back, but the people of that region are stupid, rustic, and obstinate; they slander the true words and do not understand the profound purpose of our śramaṇa teaching." He called out, "Ānanda, Kāśyapa, take these four to the precious pavilion; first give them vegetarian food to refresh them. After the meal, open the precious treasury, and from among the thirty-five sections of my three collections, select a few scrolls from each and give them to him, so that they may be transmitted to the Eastern Lands and there remain forever as a great favor." The two venerable ones immediately obeyed the Buddha's decree and led the four of them to the pavilion. One could not take in all the rare and precious treasures arrayed without end. They saw the various gods who set out the offerings arranging the vegetarian feast, all of which were immortal delicacies, immortal dishes, immortal teas, and immortal fruits—a hundred flavors of rare fare, different from the mundane world. The master and disciples first paid homage to the Buddha's grace and then partook as they wished. Truly: Precious flames and golden light dazzled the eyes, Rare incense and exquisite foods more subtle and fine. Thousand-layered golden halls of boundless splendor, A strain of celestial music clear to the ear. Plain vegetarian delicacies and immortal flowers seldom seen, Fragrant teas and rare viands that bestow long life. Though they had suffered countless hardships before, Today in glory they rejoiced at the Way's fulfillment. This transformation was a boon for Bajie and a benefit for Sha Seng. The feast at the Buddha's place—the viands for prolonging life and transmuting the mortal frame—was all enjoyed by them to the full. After the two reverend attendants had accompanied the four pilgrims in finishing their meal, they then entered the jeweled pavilion, opened the doors, and went up to look. There, a rosy glow and auspicious radiance enveloped a thousand layers; colored mists and propitious clouds veered across ten thousand beams. Upon the sutra cabinets and outside the precious caskets, all were affixed with red labels, on which were written in regular script the titles of the sutra scrolls. They were: The Nirvana Sutra — one division ………………… 748 scrolls The Bodhisattva Sutra — one division ………………… 1,021 scrolls The Akashagarbha Sutra — one division …………………… 400 scrolls The Shurangama Sutra — one division ………………… 110 scrolls The Great Collection of Benevolence Sutra — one division …………………… 50 scrolls The Decisive Sutra — one division …………………… 140 scrolls The Treasure Store Sutra — one division ……………………… 45 scrolls The Avatamsaka Sutra — one division ………………………… 500 scrolls The True Suchness Sutra — one division ……………………… 90 scrolls The Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra — one division ……………… 916 scrolls The Light Sutra — one division ………………………… 300 scrolls The Unprecedented Sutra — one division …………… 1,110 scrolls The Vimalakirti Sutra — one division …………………… 170 scrolls The Separate Treatise on the Three Treatises Sutra — one division ………………… 270 scrolls The Diamond Sutra — one division ………………………… 100 scrolls The Right Dharma Treatise Sutra — one division ………………… 120 scrolls The Buddha's Life Sutra — one division ……………………… 800 scrolls The Five Dragons Sutra — one division ……………………… 32 scrolls The Bodhisattva Precepts Sutra — one division ……………… 116 scrolls The Great Collection Sutra — one division …………………… 130 scrolls The Makara Sutra — one division …………………… 350 scrolls The Lotus Sutra — one division ………………………… 100 scrolls The Yoga Sutra — one division ………………………… 100 scrolls The Eternal Treasure Sutra — one division …………………… 220 scrolls The Western Heaven Treatise Sutra — one division ………………… 130 scrolls The Sanghika Sutra — one division ………………… 157 scrolls The Miscellaneous Buddhist Lands Sutra — one division …………… 1,950 scrolls The Awakening of Faith Treatise Sutra — one division ……………………… 1,000 scrolls The Mahaprajna Sutra — one division ………………… 1,080 scrolls The Precious Power Sutra — one division ……………… 1,280 scrolls The Original Pavilion Sutra — one division …………………… 850 scrolls The Correct Vinaya Text Sutra — one division ……………………… 200 scrolls The Great Peacock Sutra — one division ………………… 220 scrolls The Consciousness-Only Treatise Sutra — one division ……………………… 100 scrolls The Abhidharma Treatise Sutra — one division ……………………… 200 scrolls Ananda and Kasyapa led Tang Seng to view all the sutra titles, then said to Tang Seng, "Holy monk, you have come from the Eastern Land to this place—what kind of 'human gifts' do you have for us? Bring them out quickly, so that we may transmit the scriptures to you." At these words, Sanzang replied, "Your disciple Xuanzang, having come from a distant road, has not prepared any." The two reverend attendants laughed and said, "Good, good, good! If we transmit scriptures empty-handed to later generations, people of the future shall starve to death." When the Pilgrim saw them speaking in a twisted manner and refusing to transmit the scriptures, he could not contain himself and shouted, "Master, let us go tell Tathagata and have him bring the scriptures to old Sun himself!" Ananda said, "Do not shout! What place do you think this is, that you still act wild and unruly? Come over here and receive the scriptures." Bajie and Sha Seng held back their tempers, restrained the Pilgrim, turned around to receive them, and rolled them up one by one into bundles, loading them onto the horse. They also tied up two carrying-poles, which Bajie and Sha Seng shouldered. Then they came before the jeweled throne, kowtowed, thanked Tathagata, and went straight out the door. Whenever they met a Buddha, they bowed twice; whenever they saw a Bodhisattva, they bowed twice. When they reached the great gate, they bowed to the bhikshus and bhikshunis, the upasikas and upasakas, taking leave of each one in turn. Then they descended the mountain and set off on their way—but no more of that for now. Now, on that jeweled pavilion there was an Ancient Buddha Dipankara. From within the pavilion he was secretly listening to the matter of the scripture transmission, and understood it perfectly in his mind: that Ananda and Kasyapa had transmitted the wordless scriptures. He then laughed to himself and said, "The monks of the Eastern Land are deluded and ignorant; they do not recognize wordless scriptures—would not the holy monk's arduous journey have been all in vain?" He asked, "Who is here by my seat?" Thereupon White Vajra Venerable stepped forth. The Ancient Buddha commanded, "You must summon your divine might, overtake Tang Seng with the speed of a shooting star, and seize those wordless scriptures, so that they may come again to seek the true scriptures with words." White Vajra Venerable immediately mounted a violent wind, rolled out beyond the gate of Thunderclap Monastery, and put forth great divine might. That mighty wind—truly it was: A warrior before the Buddha, Not to be compared with the Wind God of the Xun trigram; From immortal caverns it roared in wrath, Far surpassing the blustering of the Maiden. With this blast, fish and dragons all lost their lairs, Rivers and seas turned back their waves. Dark apes clutching fruit could hardly come to offer, Yellow cranes parted clouds to seek their old nests. The phoenix's clear note rang out unlovely, The golden pheasant's clucking sounded harsh. Branches of green pines snapped, Utpala flowers scattered. Bamboos green fell stalk by stalk, Golden lotuses swayed each bloom. The bell-tone carried far three thousand li, The sutra's rhythm lightly flew across ten thousand ravines. Rare blooms beneath the cliffs lost their fair colors, Fine grasses by the roadside drooped their tender shoots. The colorful phoenix could hardly spread its wings, The white deer fled into the mountain cliffs. Vast and wide, a strange fragrance spread through the cosmos; Pure and clear, the wind's breath pierced the clouds. As the elder Tang was travelling along, he suddenly heard a rolling fragrance-wind and took it only for an auspicious sign from the Buddha, so he was not on guard. Then he heard a loud crash, and from midair a hand stretched down and gently snatched away the scriptures carried on the horse. Sanzang was so startled that he beat his breast and cried out; Bajie rolled along the ground in pursuit; Sha Monk stood guard over the scripture-carrying poles; and Sun Pilgrim sped in swift pursuit as if flying. White Vajra Venerable, seeing the Pilgrim draw near, feared that his staff might have no eyes and in the heat of the moment strike his body with no regard for good or ill, so he dashed the scripture bundle to pieces and cast it down into the dust. When the Pilgrim saw the bundle broken apart and the scrolls scattered by the fragrant wind, he pressed down his cloud to attend to the scriptures and did not continue the pursuit. White Vajra Venerable then withdrew the wind and dispersed the mist, and returned to report to the Ancient Buddha—but no more of that for now. Pig Eight fled in pursuit, and seeing the scriptures had fallen down, he gathered them up together with Pilgrim, and carrying them on his back, they came before Tang Monk. Tang Monk's eyes were full of tears as he said, "Disciples, even this Land of Ultimate Bliss has fierce demons who bully and harm us." Sha Monk took the scattered scriptures they had brought, opened them to look, and saw that they were pure white, without a single trace of written characters. Hastily he handed them to Tripitaka, saying, "Master, this scroll has no words." Pilgrim opened another scroll to look, and it too had no words. Pig Eight opened one, and it also had no words. Tripitaka called out, "Open them all and look." Scroll after scroll was all white paper. The elder gave long sighs and short gasps, saying, "We people of the East indeed lack good fortune. If it is like this—empty copies without words—what use is there in taking them? How would I dare face the King of Tang? The crime of deceiving the sovereign would truly be unforgivable." Pilgrim already knew the reason and said to Tang Monk, "Master, say no more. This is because Ananda and Kasyapa asked us for a 'gift of acquaintance' and we had none, so they gave us these white-paper copies. Let us quickly go back and report this before Tathagata, and charge them with extortion and fraud." Pig Eight shouted, "Right, right! Let's go and accuse them!" The four of them hurried back down the mountain with no fine steps, and hastily turned again toward Thunderclap. Before long they arrived outside the mountain gate, and all the congregation greeted them with folded hands, smiling, and said, "Holy monks, have you come to exchange the scriptures?" Tripitaka nodded and gave thanks. The Vajras did not stop them either, but let them enter, all the way to the front of the Great Hero Hall. Pilgrim shouted, "Tathagata! We master and disciples have endured ten thousand stings and a thousand demons, a thousand hardships and ten thousand toils. From the East we prostrated our way here, and by your command we were to receive the scriptures. But Ananda and Kasyapa, failing to get their bribe, conspired together in fraud and deliberately gave us wordless white-paper copies to take away. What use are they to us? We beg you, Tathagata, to punish them." The Buddha laughed and said, "Do not shout. The matter of their asking you for a gift of acquaintance I already know. But the scriptures cannot be lightly transmitted, nor can they be taken for nothing. In former times, when the congregation of Bhiksu Holy Ones went down the mountain, they once recited this scripture in the house of the Elder Zhao of Sravasti, ensuring safety for the living of his household and deliverance for the dead, and in return they received only three pecks and three sheng of grain-sized gold. I said they had sold it too cheaply, so that later generations would have no money to use. Now you have come with empty hands to take the scriptures, and that is why the white copies were given. The white copies are the wordless true scriptures, and they are actually good. It is because the living beings of your Eastern Land are foolish and deluded, not yet awakened, that only these can be transmitted to them." Then he called out, "Ananda, Kasyapa, quickly take the true scriptures with words, select several scrolls from each division, and give them to him. Report the numbers here." The two reverent ones again led the four of them below the Jeweled Pavilion of Rare Towers and again asked Tang Monk for some gift of acquaintance. Tripitaka had nothing to offer, so he ordered Sha Monk to fetch the purple-gold alms bowl, and with both hands he presented it, saying, "This disciple is truly poor and the road is long; I did not prepare any offering. This alms bowl was bestowed by the King of Tang's own hand, for this disciple to use in begging alms along the way. Now I offer it to you, as a small token of my heart. I beg the reverent ones to accept it, and when I return to court and report to the King of Tang, there will surely be generous thanks. Only let the true scriptures with words be bestowed, so that the imperial commission may not be slighted, nor the hardships of this distant journey be in vain." Ananda took it and gave a faint smile. Then the attendants in charge of the jeweled towers, the cooks in charge of the stores, and the reverent ones guarding the pavilions—some rubbed his face, some patted his back, some snapped their fingers, some curled their lips—all laughing, said, "Shame, shame! You must extort gifts from scripture-takers!" In a moment his face was wrinkled with embarrassment, yet he would not let go of the alms bowl. Only then did Kasyapa enter the pavilion to select the scriptures, checking each one and handing them to Tripitaka. Tripitaka then said, "Disciples, all of you look carefully—do not let it be like the last time." Each of the three took a scroll, looked at a scroll, and all had writing. They transmitted 5,048 scrolls, the number of one Canon. They packed them neatly, loaded them on the horse; the rest filled a carrying pole, which Pig Eight shouldered. Sha Monk carried their own luggage. Pilgrim led the horse, Tang Monk took his staff, adjusted his Vairocana crown, and shook his embroidered cassock, and only then, with joy and delight, they came before our Buddha Tathagata. Thus it is that: The true scriptures of the Great Canon taste sweet, By Tathagata wrought with consummate care. Know that Xuanzang toiled over mountains steep— How laughable that Ananda loved money bare! At first, not fully known, they wronged the ancient Buddha; Later, when true, they found peace at last. Now joyfully they bear them eastward home, And all the hosts share blessings as they fall like rain. Ananda and Kasyapa led Tang Monk to see Tathagata. Tathagata ascended his lotus throne and ordered the two great Arhats Dragon-Subduer and Tiger-Vanquisher to strike the cloud chime, summoning widely the three thousand Buddhas, the three thousand Dharani Guardians, the eight Vajras, the four Bodhisattvas, the five hundred Arhats, the eight hundred Bhiksu monks, the mass of Upasakas, Bhiksunis, and Upasikas—from every heaven, every cave, blessed lands and spirit mountains, great and small reverent ones and holy monks: those who should sit were invited to take their jewel seats, and those who should stand stood in attendance on both sides. In a moment, heavenly music was heard from afar, immortal melodies rang clear and bright; throughout the sky auspicious light layered upon layered, and blessings gathered thick and heavy. All the Buddhas assembled and paid their respects before Tathagata. Tathagata asked, "Ananda, Kasyapa, how many scripture scrolls have you transmitted to him? Report each number in turn." The two reverent ones then opened their register and reported: "Now delivered to the Tang Dynasty: Nirvana Sutra—400 scrolls Bodhisattva Sutra—360 scrolls Akasagarbha Sutra—20 scrolls Surangama Sutra—30 scrolls Mahasannipata Sutra of Benevolence and Intention—40 scrolls Determination Sutra—40 scrolls Treasure Store Sutra—20 scrolls Avatamsaka Sutra—81 scrolls Tathata-worship Sutra—30 scrolls Maha-prajnaparamita Sutra—600 scrolls Great Light Sutra—50 scrolls Adbhuta-dharma Sutra—550 scrolls Vimalakirti Sutra—30 scrolls Three Treatises Separate Sutra—42 scrolls Diamond Sutra—1 scroll Saddharma-prajnaparamita Sutra—20 scrolls Buddha's Life Sutra—116 scrolls Five Dragons Sutra—20 scrolls Bodhisattva Precepts Sutra—60 scrolls Mahasannipata Sutra—30 scrolls Magadha Sutra—140 scrolls Lotus Sutra—10 scrolls Yogacara Sutra—30 scrolls Eternal Treasure Sutra—170 scrolls Western Heaven Treatises Sutra—30 scrolls Sanghata Sutra—110 scrolls Buddha Lands Miscellaneous Sutra—1,638 scrolls Awakening of Faith Sutra—50 scrolls Maha-prajna Sutra—90 scrolls." Baowei Jing ................................... one hundred forty scrolls Benge Jing ................................... fifty-six scrolls Zhenglüwen Jing ................................... ten scrolls Da Kongque Jing ................................... fourteen scrolls Weishi Lun Jing ................................... ten scrolls Jushe Lun Jing ................................... ten scrolls All the sutras in the treasury totalled thirty-five divisions; from each division there were selected five thousand and forty-eight scrolls, which were left in Tang by the holy monk of the Eastern Land. Now they have all been gathered and arranged, loaded upon horses and carried on men's shoulders, and we are waiting only to give thanks to the imperial court." The four pilgrims of the Sanzang tethered their horses and set down their loads. One after another they joined their palms, bowed their bodies, and made obeisance toward the superior seat. The Tathagata said to Tang-seng: "The merit of these sutras is beyond measure. Though they serve as the mirror and model of our school, they are in truth the source and flow of the three teachings. When you reach your Southern Jambu Continent and show them to all living beings, they must not be treated lightly. Unless one has bathed and observed fasting, the scrolls may not be opened. Treasure them, hold them in esteem. For within these there are the profound mysteries of becoming immortals and achieving the Way, and there are wondrous prescriptions for illuminating the transformations of all things." Sanzang kowtowed and gave thanks, received the teaching with faith and respectfully put it into practice, and once again made full three circuits of obeisance to the Buddha. Then, reverently carrying his sincerity and returning to his allegiance, he took the sutras and departed. When he reached the Three Mountain Gate, he thanked all the holy ones one by one—of that we need not speak. After the Tathagata had sent Tang-seng on his way, he then dismissed the assembly for the transmission of the sutras. At the side, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva again stepped forward, joined her palms, and addressed the Buddha: "Your disciple once received the golden decree to go to the Eastern Land in search of the one who should fetch the scriptures. Now the work has been accomplished. The total time amounts to fourteen years, which is five thousand and forty days, but it is still short by eight days and does not match the canonical number. I beg the World-Honored One to grant that the holy monk may soon return eastward and then turn back westward; it must be within eight days to complete the canonical number, and then your disciple may return the golden decree." The Tathagata was greatly pleased and said: "Your words are most fitting; I approve the return of the golden decree." He then called the Eight Great Vajras and commanded: "You must quickly exert your divine might, escort the holy monk back to the East, leave the true scriptures there, and then immediately lead the holy monk back westward. It must be done within eight days to complete the number of one canon; do not delay or disobey." The Vajras immediately caught up with Tang-seng and called out: "You who have fetched the scriptures, follow me." Tang-seng and the others all felt light in body and vigorous in health, drifting and floating as they followed the Vajras and rose on the clouds. Truly this was: When one sees the nature and illuminates the mind, he pays homage to the Buddha; When merit is complete and deeds are fulfilled, he straightway ascends in flight. But if you do not know how they transmitted the scriptures upon their return to the Eastern Land, listen to the next chapter for its explanation.