Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 105: Success in seeing the success, making trouble in heaven

But in the quiet room of Sanxing Immortal Cave.

The master was explaining his supernatural powers to the boy.

The master made Jiang Yuan sit on the cushion, and then sat on the cushion again, saying: "This supernatural power is not passed on to you by me. I only tell you this supernatural power. If I teach you, I am not good at it. I am afraid that I will make mistakes when I teach you. Therefore, I will let others teach you. This supernatural power is difficult to learn, but you should know it."

Jiang Yuan asked: "Master, what kind of magical power is this that even Master is not good at it?"

The master said: "This miraculous method is a kind of 'alchemy'. I am not good at it, so I cannot teach it to you. No one except Lao Jun, inside or outside the Three Realms, can teach it to you. If I teach you to realize it by yourself, I don't know how many kalpas it will take you to realize it."

Jiang Yuan heard this and didn't know how difficult it was to make the elixir. Hearing the master's words, he didn't dare to look down on it. He then asked, "Master, what is this elixir-making ability?"

The master smiled and said, "When you practice it, you will understand. I cannot teach you this magical power, so I must ask Laojun to teach you."

Jiang Yuan did not ask any more questions. He did not know what the magical power of alchemy was, but after hearing what the ancestor said, he knew that this magical power was extraordinary and was definitely not what he thought, just taking medicinal materials to make pills.

If teaching is so simple, how can the master say that he is not good at it and it is difficult to learn? Most of the time, there are secrets in it. Since the master taught him and Laojun to learn, he just learned it.

He bowed and said, "Disciple thanks Master for his deep kindness."

The master said, "Over the past few decades, I have invited Laojun to come, and I have followed him to practice and learn supernatural powers."

Jiang Yuan said: "Yes, Master."

The master said, "So, do you still have any doubts? If so, I will help you solve them."

Jiang Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Master, I have no more doubts. I wonder...how is Junior Brother Wukong?"

The ancestor shook his head and said, "Don't worry, that monkey has forged all kinds of treasures together. In terms of immortal body, it is slightly better than yours."

When Jiang Yuan heard this, he was about to leave, but suddenly he felt something in his heart and looked outside.

The master also looked out, clasped his hands and smiled, "True insight leads to final enlightenment."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Congratulations."

The master said, "Boy, come with me to meet the real one, how about that?"

Jiang Yuan readily agreed.

There is a saying that goes, "Those who hear the truth become one." Today, if someone truly has enlightenment, we should congratulate him.

The master and the disciple left the quiet room, walked along the Yaotai path, and came to the quiet room in the mansion, waiting in front of the Zhenjian quiet room. When the master and the disciple arrived outside, they heard laughter, crying and laughing coming from the room, and there was a hint of great enlightenment.

Jiang Yuan was not frightened when he heard this, but was only happy. He thought to himself, "In the past, Zhen Jian was harmed by a monster and nearly lost his life. Since then, Zhen Jian has been trying to understand the difference between life and death, and has practiced hard for hundreds of years. Now he has finally achieved the right result, and I should congratulate him."

The master stood outside the room and said with a smile, "Among the twelve generations of my disciples, only you and Zhenjian are the two disciples. Zhenjian is now enlightened, and although he does not have profound magical powers, he is also a rare talent. He only needs to cultivate some skills. There are not many people in the Three Realms who can surpass him."

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, I have been writing books on Zen since I was young, but I have never achieved anything. Now I have finally achieved it."

The master nodded, and the master and his disciples waited for a long time. When they saw the door of the room opened, they really saw someone walking out. He was wearing a plain robe and holding a leaf fan. His face seemed to be happy and sad, and his facial features were ordinary, but his eyes were full of spirit and profound wisdom.

Zhen Jian bowed and said, "Thank you, Master. I have waited for you, Senior Brother. I have accomplished my mission."

Jiang Yuan returned the gift without saying anything, just smiling at his junior fellow apprentice.

The master asked, "Are you happy?"

Zhenjian replied, "No."

The master said, "Now that you have achieved success, why are you not happy?"

Zhen Jiandao said: "My disciple has been burdened by external appearances and deceived by the two gods for a long time. I don't know how much time it took to see my true self. Now that I have achieved success, I know all the things that happened before, so I am not happy."

The ancestor asked, "How is your Tao?"

Zhenjian said: "I don't know."

The master asked again: "How do you say that?"

Zhen Jiandao said: "Now that I have just achieved success and have just begun to understand the Dao, I dare not speak falsely. At this time, I know that my elder brother often shirks his responsibility by saying that the Dao is shallow. This is not because he is humble, but because he has no Dao to talk about. How dare I talk about the Dao when I have just achieved success?"

The master smiled and said, "Good. You should take a good rest. I will teach you some skills later."

Say it.

The master left.

Jiang Yuan bowed to Zhen Jian, said "Congratulations", and escorted the master away.

Zhen Jian bowed to the master and Jiang Yuan, then returned to his room.

……

Since I have truly seen and awakened, time has passed quickly and before I knew it, three years have gone by.

Jiang Yuan cultivated his nature and practiced Taoism in his room, while Zhen Jian went to the master's quiet room from time to time to practice his skills.

One day at three o'clock in the morning, Zhen Jian visited Jiang Yuan late at night. Zhen Jian led his junior fellow apprentice into the room and asked him to sit on the cushion.

Jiang Yuan said: "Junior brother, there is no scented tea here, please forgive me for being impolite."

Zhen Jian put down the leaf fan and said, "Big Brother, why do you say that? If you want to say that I am impolite, it should be me. I have been enlightened for a long time, but I have never come to pay my respects to you, Big Brother. I am not polite to you and feel your kindness."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "This is the result of hundreds of years of hard work, how can you thank me?"

Zhen Jian bowed deeply and said, "Brother, have you forgotten that I almost lost my life in the past, and it was you who saved me. Moreover, I had many questions in the past, and it was you who answered my questions and taught me everything. Even the Zen book came from you. How could I forget the kindness you have shown me?"

Jiang Yuan helped Zhen Jian up and said, "It's because of your hard work. Without your hard work, even if I saved you and solved your doubts, it would be useless."

Zhen Jian said: "Brother, that's not what you said."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Brother, are you here to thank me?"

Zhen Jian shook his head and said, "No. Senior Brother, I am here for Senior Brother Hai En and for the collection of books."

Jiang Yuan asked: "How do you say that?"

Zhen Jiandao said: "Brother, you should know that what I practice is Zen. I intend to record my experience of practice and what happened after success in this book. If anyone comes later, they can take a look."

Jiang Yuan sat on the futon and said with a smile: "Brother, tell me a little bit about your enlightenment."

Zhenjian bowed and said, "Brother, those who practice Zen focus on enlightenment. With this method, everyone can become a Buddha, because everyone has enlightenment. Enlightenment is inherent, and troubles are non-existent. Enlightened people understand their true selves. You must understand your true self, and then focus on enlightening your mind and cultivating your mind. When you have achieved your goal, you will achieve success on this path."

Jiang Yuan asked again: "Junior brother, what will happen after you succeed?"

Zhenjian replied, "Brother, if the teaching is successful, then you will be enlightened, a wise man, and a Buddha. This Buddha is not that Buddha, but the Buddha of all living beings. When the teaching is successful, there will be nothing strange about the appearance, because this Buddha is obtained by the self-salvation of all living beings, without falling into habitual attachments, and thus without dwelling on anything."

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded, saying, "Good. Thank you for taking note of this, Junior Brother."

Zhen Jian bowed and said, "Brother, I want to stay and practice with you in the future."

Jiang Yuan asked, "What do you think about practicing with me?" Zhen Jian said, "Big Brother, I have heard from Master that when you are a little older, you will open a temple and accept disciples. I want to practice with you and don't want to leave."

Jiang Yuan heard this and replied, "Junior brother, Sanxing Immortal Cave is our home, and it has never changed."

After hearing this, Zhen Jian immediately understood. He bowed three times to Jiang Yuan, and not daring to disturb him any further, he left.

Jiang Yuanwang saw Zhen leaving. He could see that his junior brother also had some skills. These skills were still shallow now, but his junior brother had already achieved success. As long as he had some time, he would definitely gain something.

Now that I see my junior fellow apprentice has achieved positive results through learning the side art, I also teach him to talk about it with joy.

……

The words are from above the thirty-three heavens, in the Tushita Palace.

The Bagua stove was burning vigorously. The Taoist priest who was watching over the stove and the boy who was lighting the fire were standing by the stove, adding fuel to the fire from time to time to make the fire burn more vigorously.

The Jade Emperor is calm and composed, and his words are timely and precise.

Suddenly, a Taoist boy came to report that someone had come from the Xieyue Sanxing Cave on Fangcun Mountain in Lingtai, Xiniuhezhou, and asked Laojun to visit in a few days.

When Laojun heard this, he glanced at the Bagua Furnace, not knowing what it was about. He just said he would go after the matter was finished, but he agreed and asked the Taoist boy to go and reply.

At this time, in the Bagua furnace, the Great Sage was standing at the Xun position. He was getting impatient, and his eyes became diseased due to old age. He was very angry and just waited for the furnace to open so that he could beat them out and let the heaven know his power.

He knew that his eldest senior brother was definitely not in heaven. At that time, no one in heaven or on earth could stop him. He would definitely use his magical powers to beat the Jade Emperor so that his dragon bed would be uneasy, and then he would take the throne.

The Monkey King is so angry that he is determined to turn the world upside down.

……

Time passed quickly and before I knew it, forty-four days had gone by. Together with the previous five years on earth, it made a total of forty-nine days.

Laojun had all the fire and was about to open the furnace to take the elixir, but as soon as the furnace was opened, the Great Sage jumped out of the furnace, and the elixir was not burned.

The Great Sage was furious. He kicked the Bagua furnace to the ground and walked out.

The boy who was lighting the fire saw the Taoist priest in a panic and hurried to pull it out. However, he had no idea that the monster could withstand the fire for forty-nine days without any problems.

The Great Sage pulled out the Ruyi Stick from his ear, swung it, and it became as thick as a bowl. He hit whoever he saw, knocking those Taoists and boys to the ground, not knowing whether they were dead or alive.

Laojun came close to catch him, but was pushed by the Great Sage and almost fell head over heels.

The Great Sage was extremely angry, like an epileptic white-browed tiger or a mad unicorn. He raised his golden hoop and beat them out of the Tushita Palace. The Heavenly Guards came to stop him, but they told the Great Sage to shout "Chang" and swept them all away with one blow of their stick.

The good Monkey King wielded his golden cudgel and charged towards the Heavenly Palace, making no distinction between good and evil. He made the Nine Stars so violent that they closed their doors and dared not come out. He also beat the Four Heavenly Kings so much that they disappeared without a trace and no one knew where they had gone.

But if any of the Heavenly Guardians stepped forward, the Great Sage would strike them with a single blow of his stick, killing some, wounding others, or grieving. Thus the mighty power of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven was revealed.

This time, the Great Sage let go and used all his strength to fight his way to the Lingxiao Palace, using his golden cudgel to hit here and there. In the end, no god dared to step forward to stop him, as they were afraid of his magical powers.

After a while, the Great Sage arrived outside the Tongming Palace.

However, among all the palaces in the Heavenly Palace, the Tongming Palace is located before the Lingxiao Palace and is the place that protects the Lingxiao Palace. During the day, if the immortals want to see the Jade Emperor, they have to wait outside the Tongming Palace or perform a ceremony before they can see the Jade Emperor.

The Monkey King fought to the outside of the Tongming Palace, then entered this palace and then fought into the Lingxiao Palace. The Monkey King was so arrogant that he didn't know his true self, so he waved his iron rod and fought inside.

The Monkey King broke into the Tongming Palace, where Wang Lingguan was in charge. Seeing that the Monkey King had great magical powers, no one dared to surrender. He beat the Monkey King so hard that everyone in the Heavenly Palace was in chaos. Wang Lingguan stepped forward with a golden whip, determined to stop the Monkey King to prevent him from colliding with the Jade Emperor.

Wang Lingguan said, "You naughty monkey! Don't run away! Don't be so arrogant!"

The Monkey King took one look and became concerned about the demon. Without giving any explanation, he raised his stick and started beating him. The stick and whip clashed, and it was a fierce fight. He saw that one demon was causing chaos in the Heavenly Palace, while the other was trying his best to support the Xuansheng Realm. They both fought hard. One had a powerful iron stick, while the other had a sharp whip.

The two fought with lilies, but neither won.

Wang Lingguan fought with the golden whip, but he was shocked and thought to himself, "What a great sage! He has great magical powers. If we fight for five or six hundred rounds, I will not be his opponent. His immortal body is as strong as diamond, so he is good at long-term fighting."

Fortunately, True Lord Yousheng sent a letter to the Ministry of Thunder, dispatching thirty-six thunder generals to help Wang Lingguan.

The thirty-six thunder generals each used their magical powers, and together with Wang Lingguan, the thirty-seven people surrounded the Great Sage and fought fiercely in an attempt to defeat him.

How could the Great Sage be afraid? He transformed himself and learned the skill of having three heads and six arms. He swung the golden hoop and it became three. His six hands manipulated the three golden hoop sticks, which flew around like spinning wheels. They had three heads, so he could see in all directions and hear in all directions.

No matter how many magical powers and abilities the thirty-seven gods possess, they are powerless.

After fighting for five or six rounds, the Great Sage became even more powerful and counterattacked the thirty-seven gods.

All these things alarmed the Jade Emperor, who learned that the Great Sage was causing trouble in the Heavenly Palace and no one could subdue him, so he sent You Yi Ling Guan and Yi Sheng Zhen Jun to the West to ask Tathagata, one of the Five Elders of the Five Directions, to come and subdue the demon.

……

However, You Yi Lingguan and Yisheng Zhenjun received the order and did not dare to make any mistake. They left the West Heaven Gate and rode the clouds to the beautiful Lingshan Mountain.

When the two saints arrived here, four Vajras and eight Bodhisattvas stopped them and asked where they came from. The two saints only stated their will, and the gods did not dare to stop them. They cleared the way for the two saints to enter.

The Tathagata sat on the lotus platform and asked, "Why did the two saints come to issue the decree in person?"

The two saints bowed and said, "I wonder if the Buddha knows the Great Sage Equaling Heaven?"

Tathagata said: "I have heard that there is a demon in the Flower-Fruit Mountain who relies on his supernatural powers to deceive the gods. I asked Master Guangxin to subdue him and send him to heaven."

The two saints said, "The demon monkey was originally sent to the heaven to be punished with various punishments, but it was found to have some abilities. It could not be hurt by knives, axes, fire, or lightning. So Laojun ordered the civil and military fire to burn it for forty-nine days. But it jumped out again and made a big fuss in the heavenly palace. It broke into the Tongming Palace and was stopped by Wang Lingguan and thirty-six thunder generals. It was stopped and could not move forward or backward. The matter was urgent, so the Jade Emperor specially asked Tathagata to rescue and subdue the demon."

When Tathagata heard the order, he said, "You all sit still here, and wait for me to refine the demons and rescue you, and then I will return. I'll trouble Avalokitesvara to go and explain the matter to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain."

The gods obey.

The Tathagata then called upon Venerable Ananda and Venerable Kasyapa to accompany them, and together they went to the heaven.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva rode on auspicious clouds and went to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain.

……

After a while.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and the traveler Hui'an walked to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, pressed down the auspicious clouds, and came to the front of the Xieyue Sanxing Cave. They saw an old cow showing off his martial arts, throwing a few postures and performing two tricks, looking very impressive.

Guanyin Bodhisattva said: "Donor."

The Bull King stopped and asked, "Where are you from?"

The monk Hui An stepped forward, clasped his hands and said, "I am Hui An, the great disciple of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara from the South Sea."

When Bull Demon King heard the name, he asked again, "Is the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara of the South Sea here?"

The traveler Hui An walked to the side of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and said, "My master is here."

The Bull Demon King was not afraid. He stuck the iron rod into the ground and bowed politely. He said, "I didn't know the Bodhisattva was here. I'm sorry to see you. I don't know why the Bodhisattva came. Are you here to look for me?"

(End of this chapter)