Man in the heavens, wins by lying down to prove the truth

Chapter 339 A cycle in the heavens, a thousand years on earth.
In the heavens, a cycle repeats in the blink of an eye; on earth, a thousand autumns pass.

The same is true of the sacred Lingshan Mountain.

Time flies like an arrow, and the years pass in the blink of an eye. Half a thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye, and only then do these strange phenomena gradually subside.

“This humble monk has gained much, thanks to the Venerable One’s great wisdom.”

The Buddha clasped his hands together in praise.

Zhou Cheng smiled and shook his head, saying, "Buddha is indeed boundless. Having witnessed a corner of the Great Nirvana, I have also seen an increase in my fortune. The Primordial Beginning is just around the corner."

The old Buddha suddenly asked, "How confident are you, Venerable One, in finding the source stream?"

"If you say you're 100% sure, then you're 100% sure; if you say you're not sure, then you're not sure. It's something that can't be said, discussed, or debated. It's mysterious beyond mystery, the gateway to all wonders."

Upon hearing this, the Buddha pondered deeply and then exclaimed, "Wonderful!"

Immediately, Zhou Cheng got up to take his leave, and the old monk personally saw him off.

After leaving Mount Ling, Zhou Cheng reached out and grabbed Chu Xiu, who was experiencing trials in the mortal world, and brought her to his side.

"Indeed, in half a thousand years, more than half of the Five Hearts have been subdued, yet you have received a great fortune."

Zhou Cheng looked at Chu Xiu with a smile.

Chu Xiu said shyly, "I am very grateful to the Bodhisattva of the Collarbone for his blessing, which enabled me to sever the net of love and break the prison of desire."

The great merit of the Clavicle Bodhisattva is that although the initial stage of the practice seems to involve a lot of suffering, the Clavicle Bodhisattva bears the same suffering a hundred million times more, which is for the purpose of saving oneself and others.

"Haha, go back to the mountain. Your master will soon be going into seclusion to cultivate your spiritual essence. If you cannot sever your own karma, then go and find your senior brother Yi Fei."

Upon hearing Zhou Cheng's words, Chu Xiu was taken aback and said, "Master, how could I possibly be entangled in karma in this life?"

Zhou Cheng shook his head: "You're just being deluded by your desires, unable to perceive the chaos. Have you forgotten the cause and effect of the golden cicada?"

"That golden cicada has already cultivated good deeds for nine lifetimes, and the tenth lifetime is about to begin. It is said that the Buddha intends to use this to lay out a grand plan, and I, as his teacher, also need to take advantage of this opportune moment to seek the secret of transcendence."

"Therefore, you need to personally experience the cause and effect here."

After Zhou Cheng's words pierced through the illusion, the two spirits of consciousness and desire immediately dispersed, and Chu Xiu's eyes shone softly as she suddenly realized that she was entangled in karma.

Although his cultivation has greatly improved during his travels in Xiniu Hezhou, he is now entangled in various karmic entanglements.

However, most of them are good causes and good results. Only a few causes and effects need to be repaid by Chuxiu. One is the cause and effect on Jin Chan, and the other is the grace of the Bodhisattva Suogu's enlightenment.

"The karma of the Golden Cicada is easy to deal with. You can add to the merits of the eighty-one tribulations in the future. But the karma of your Coccyx Bodhisattva is troublesome. When the Bodhisattva becomes a Buddha in the future, you will need to help him."

When Chu Xiu thought of how the Bodhisattva of Collarbone had revealed his true form and humbled himself to enlighten him, he nodded: "Disciple understands. All the karma here shall be borne by me."

Zhou Cheng nodded in satisfaction. He was indeed a true leader; his bearing and presence were reminiscent of an old friend.

"Half a thousand years have passed, it's time to return home."

Zhou Cheng laughed heartily, took a step forward, and disappeared from the spot with Chu Xiu.

……

Meanwhile, on Mount Ling, after Zhou Cheng was seen off, the Buddha beat the great Dharma drum and turned the great Dharma wheel.

Throughout the three realms and countless past calamities, all Buddhas, Arhats, Gatekeepers, Bodhisattvas, Vajras, and monks and nuns have gathered.

"This discourse on the Dharma is of great benefit. All of you should listen attentively and not be disrespectful to the Great Dharma."

When the Buddha spoke, everyone held their breath and focused intently, not daring to slacken their efforts in the slightest, for the lesson of the Golden Cicada was not far off.

Until the chanting of Buddhist hymns echoed throughout the sky, and the boundless light of wisdom shone forth, it was as if the Zen mind illuminated a thousand rivers and the true nature contained the eternal heaven.

After finishing his sermon, the Buddha looked around and said, “I have observed the four continents and see that the good and evil of sentient beings vary from place to place. I cannot help but feel compassion.”

Then the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta stepped forward, put his palms together in reverence to the Buddha, and said, "What does the World Honored One say?"

The Buddha then said, "Now, let's talk about those people of Dongsheng Shenzhou. They respect Heaven and Earth, and are calm and peaceful. Most of them are true cultivators."

“Those of Beiju Luzhou, though fond of killing, do so only to make a living. They are simple-minded and unassuming, and do not commit many misdeeds; they are merely fools.”

“We, the people of Xiniu Hezhou, are neither greedy nor murderous. We cultivate our vital energy and nurture our spirit. Although there are no supreme immortals, everyone enjoys a long life.”

"It is said that Jambudvipa is a paradise for people, but it is also a land of lust and pleasure, with much killing and fighting. It is a place of fierce words and a sea of ​​evil."

“I now possess the Tripitaka, which can persuade people to do good, and I wish to spread it to Jambudvipa.”

Upon hearing this, everyone clasped their hands in reverence and bowed before the Buddha, asking, "Who is this Tripitaka Master?"

The Buddha said, “There is one collection of Dharma, which discusses the heavens. There is one collection of treatises, which speaks of the earth. There is one collection of scriptures, which guides ghosts.”

"The Tripitaka consists of thirty-five parts, totaling 15,144 volumes. It is the supreme true scripture and the gateway to righteousness and goodness."

“My religion is being sent to the East, but I fear that the people there will look down on it and not know its preciousness. Therefore, we need a Buddhist with Dharma power to go to the East to find a believer.”

"Teach him to endure hardships across mountains and rivers, to seek the true scriptures at Mount Ling, so that they may be spread to the East and enlighten all living beings. This is a blessing as great as a mountain and a blessing as deep as the sea. Who would be willing to go on this journey?"

These three sacred scriptures did not exist before. They appeared as soon as the Buddha finished speaking.

Then, the compassionate master of Luojia Mountain stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and said, "This humble disciple wishes to go to the Eastern Land to find a devout believer who is seeking scriptures."

The Buddha immediately exclaimed in praise, "No one else possesses the great wisdom of the Venerable Guanyin; it is fitting that the Venerable One should go there."

Among all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Mount Ling, very few can be addressed as "Venerable One" by the Buddha, and among the Bodhisattvas, only this Bodhisattva of the Sea is worthy of such a title.

“While believers are easy to find, they must travel through countless mountains and rivers, enduring many hardships and setbacks, before they can obtain this true scripture.”

“That land of paradise has few true immortals and most are mortals. Therefore, the journey to the west is impossible, and one must have the help of guardian deities.”

As soon as the Buddha finished speaking, Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, "I wonder what kind of guardian deity is capable of undertaking this important task?"

Upon hearing this, the Buddha said, "It will possess the power to overturn heaven and earth, reaching the height of the heavens. It will have the supernatural ability to carry mountains and drive seas, and the strength to resist the Five Sacred Mountains. It will have the power to pierce the nine heavens, and the divine wind will howl."

As soon as the old Buddha finished speaking, the crowd seemed to remember a person with astonishing supernatural powers.

In reality, the Buddha was referring to three people, and the plan had been laid out long ago.

With earth-shattering power, reaching the heavens, it goes without saying that it must be a monkey.

Those figures, as imposing as Mount Tai and wielding howling winds, are the other two powerful demons with ties to Buddhism, and both are demons that can be encountered at the very beginning of the journey to the West.

Of course, it would be plausible to say that all three are used to describe monkeys.

"Such a great demon is easy to subdue but difficult to subdue. How did it become the guardian deity of the pilgrims?" Guanyin Bodhisattva asked with her palms together.

"Therefore, I will give you five treasures to help the pilgrim on his journey to the West." After saying this, the Buddha ordered Ananda and Kasyapa to take out a brocade kasaya, a nine-ringed staff, and three hoops, and hand them to the Bodhisattva.

Immediately, the Buddha said to the Bodhisattva, "This robe and staff can be used by the pilgrim. If he is determined to come here, he will be spared from the cycle of rebirth if he wears my robe and will be spared from harm if he holds my staff."

Guanyin Bodhisattva clasped her hands and asked, "What is the purpose of these three hoops?"

The old man then said, “This treasure is called the Tightening Hoop; although there are three of the same kind, they are used differently, with different types of gold, tightness, and prohibition.”

Three hoops, it is said that these are the most ferocious of all restraints, capable of dispelling all kinds of confinement. Gold is the hardest, with no way to break free. The tightest is the next most powerful, a treasure for teaching and guidance; those with flawless hearts and minds are not bound by these restrictions.

The Buddha instructed, "If you encounter a powerful demon on the road, you must persuade him to reform and become a disciple of the pilgrim."

"If he is disobedient, put this headband on his head, and it will naturally take root in his flesh. Recite the incantation according to your own, and his eyes will bulge, his head will ache, and his forehead will crack. Then he will be forced to join my sect."

“In that case, your disciple obeys and will certainly not fail the compassion of the World-Honored One.” Guanyin bowed and withdrew, then summoned Huian to accompany her. They went down Mount Ling and headed straight for the east.

……

Now, Guanyin Bodhisattva, having left the territory of Mount Ling, traveled through half-clouds and half-mist to observe the terrain until she stopped at the border of the Flowing Sand River.

The Bodhisattva looked at Venerable Huian and said, "Disciple, this place is indeed difficult. How can a mortal with mortal eyes like a pilgrim endure it?"

Upon hearing this, the traveler on the shore observed carefully. He saw that the river stretched east to the desert, west to various barbarian lands, south to the Ugo, and north to the Tatars. It was eight hundred li wide and ten million li long.

"But there's no way around it, we have no choice but to go this way."

As soon as Hui'an finished speaking, a storm arose from the bottom of the river, and a dark blue demon leaped out. It went ashore and began to fight, saying that it wanted to capture the Bodhisattva.

"Outrageous splattering!"

Huian Xingzhe's expression changed drastically. He cursed and raised his iron cudgel, engaging the demon in a fierce battle. This wooden fork and iron cudgel, a guardian displaying its divine power; the monster's demon-subduing staff, striving to be a hero.

After dozens of rounds of fierce fighting, the heavens and earth were thrown into chaos, and the five elements of the human world were in turmoil.

The demon, realizing he couldn't subdue the Dharma protector, glanced at the Bodhisattva's expression and was secretly delighted, though his face turned ugly. He questioned Moksha, "Who are you from? How dare you trespass on my territory?"

"You blind demon, how dare you obstruct the Dharma carriage of Guanyin Bodhisattva! If it weren't for the Bodhisattva's compassion, I would have taken away thousands of your lives!"

Upon hearing this, the demon feigned great shock, quickly threw down his staff, and kowtowed countless times, crying out, "It is actually a Bodhisattva in front of me! I deserve death! I deserve death!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva immediately recognized the origin of this wicked demon. The Heavenly Curtain-Lifting General, who served by her side, could not possibly fail to recognize the Five Elders of the Five Directions.
But the Bodhisattva also went along with it, saying, "I see that you are not a demon from the mortal world. What is your origin?"

The demon said, "Bodhisattva, please forgive me. I was originally the Curtain-Lifting General of Heaven and the Commander of the Imperial Guard. However... I did not expect to offend the Compassionate Master today due to my ignorance."

Guanyin Bodhisattva then said, "You were already guilty and are being punished here. Now you are harming living beings, which is adding sin upon sin."

"I have received the Buddha's decree to travel to the East to find the one who will retrieve the scriptures. Why don't you join my sect, take refuge in goodness, and become the disciple and protector of the one who will retrieve the scriptures? I will teach you not to let flying swords pierce you. Once you have succeeded in your mission, you may be absolved of your sins and reinstated to your original position. What do you say?"

The monster was overjoyed and quickly said, "I wish to convert to the true path and hope that the Bodhisattva will show great compassion."

Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva gave the monster another name: Sha Wujing.

After the matter was settled, the Bodhisattva rode on a cloud, traveling halfway up the mountain and halfway across the water, and continued on his way to the East.

Huian then said, “Master, the World-Honored One said that he would choose a powerful demon to be the protector of the pilgrim. But look at this Sha Wujing, he is not powerful at all, and even I cannot defeat him.”

The Bodhisattva then smiled and said, "We already know the extent of the power of those demons. As for Sha Wujing, he helped the pilgrims cross the river, which is a merit of his own."

"I see, I understand now."

After the Bodhisattva crossed the Flowing Sand River, he traveled for a long time and came to see a high mountain. Evil energy shrouded the mountain, and there was a demon there.

Yuan was the celestial naval marshal and one of the Four Saints of the North Pole. He was banished to the mortal world and mistakenly reincarnated as a pig.

The Bodhisattva then enlightened this pig demon, making him the disciple of the pilgrim, and gave him the name: Zhu Wuneng.

After passing Fuling Mountain, the Bodhisattva summoned a dragon to help the pilgrim travel 108,000 li (approximately 54,000 kilometers).

It wasn't until the Bodhisattva and his party entered Jambudvipa and the Eastern Land that the number of demons decreased.

However, upon entering the Southern Continent, they saw a divine mountain, radiating golden light and releasing auspicious energy. Boundless blessings nourished this spiritual land, and it was indeed the divine mountain transformed from the Buddha's severed arm.

“Master, I have seen the World Honored One pressing down on this place. This must be the place where the Great Sage suffered.”

As soon as Venerable Huian finished speaking, the Five Directions of the Dharma appeared and bowed to the Bodhisattva.

"How is the Great Sage doing lately?"

When asked by the Venerable Guanyin, the Five Directions Protectors answered without reservation.

“In his early years, he was quite fierce. Now, five hundred years ago, the Great Sage once transformed into a woodcutter and went into the mountains to teach the Great Sage. For the next five hundred years, the Great Sage cultivated his spirit and energy, and thus became known for his virtuous words.”

Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva immediately clasped his hands in reverence towards the location of the Taiyi Grotto Heaven, saying, "Homage to the First True Suchness King, the Primordial God of the Heavenly Realm."

They all bowed to Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Huian Xingzhe and the Five Directions Jiedi bowed from afar, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Then the Bodhisattva said, "Go ahead, allow this humble monk to have a look at the Great Sage."

Upon hearing this, the Five Directions Protectors immediately dispersed.

The Bodhisattva landed on a mountain peak, looking down at the monkey head imprisoned in the stone box.

"Alas, the arrogant monkey king, who disrupted the Peach Banquet and stole from the Tushita Palace, is now in such a sorry state. How can he be compared to the invincible warrior with 100,000 troops and the majestic figure he once was in the Nine Heavens?"

Inside the stone box, the dozing monkey was startled awake and hurriedly shouted, "Which deity is exposing my shortcomings? If it is an old friend, please show yourself. I, Old Sun, am trapped here and cannot see you."

The Great Sage who had attained the false state of Hunyuan was now unable to open his six senses or turn his head and body. How could he be described as utterly destitute?
Then the Bodhisattva descended from the cloud and landed in front of the monkey, smiling as he said, "Great Sage, do you recognize this humble monk?"

"How could I not recognize the compassionate and merciful Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who saves us from suffering and distress from Mount Putuo in the South China Sea!"

The monkey, who used to be arrogant and disrespectful, now hurriedly and respectfully called out the full title of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

The monkey lamented, "I feel like I'm living through years here, and not a single friend has come to visit me. It's said that a great immortal explored this place five hundred years ago; besides him, only the Bodhisattva has come to care for me! Thank you for your care!"

The Bodhisattva immediately shook his head and scolded, "You foolish monkey! Five hundred years ago, the one who enlightened you was the initial incarnation of a great virtuous being. Without intention or purpose, who would be willing to take the risk for you, you arrogant, naked man?"

The monkey was stunned for a moment, then cried out, "It's Master! It's Master! I regret it! I regret it! If I had listened to Master's teachings, I wouldn't be in this mess today..."

The Great Sage, tears welling in his eyes, wept uncontrollably.

The Bodhisattva sighed deeply and asked, "Great Sage, do you know your mistake?"

The Monkey King was taken aback and quickly replied, "I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong. I have been suffering here for more than five hundred years. I have long known my mistake. I hope the Bodhisattva will save me."

(End of this chapter)