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

Chapter 114: Ruler Protection, Lingshan Scenic Spot (asking for monthly ticket)
It tells of the immortal returning home, entering the Sanxing Immortal Cave, walking along the Yaotai Trail, and arriving at the Patriarch's quiet room, where he paid homage with great ceremony.

When the master saw Jiang Yuan returning, he went out of the quiet room to greet Jiang Yuan. He welcomed Jiang Yuan into the quiet room, and the master and disciple sat on the cushions one after the other.

The master asked, "Boy, have you learned the supernatural power?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "No. Master, this magical power is difficult to learn in its entirety."

The ancestor smiled and said, "I have expected this. This magical power requires learning the complete external alchemy path before you can learn the 'alchemy' magical power."

Jiang Yuan replied: "Master, I am currently practicing external alchemy."

The ancestor asked, "How about practicing the external alchemy?"

Jiang Yuan said: "Learning one or two things is still a long way from learning everything."

The master pointed at Jiang Yuan and said with a smile: "I know you, boy. If you say you have learned one or two, you must have learned eight or nine."

Jiang Yuan heard this and shook his head and replied, "I dare not speak nonsense in front of Master. I have often heard that Laojun once left a letter in the world, saying 'Be as careful at the end as at the beginning, and there will be no failure.'"

The master said, "This is your true nature. Boy, you have returned home and know about the Ullambana Festival. Do you have the determination to participate in the Dharma Assembly?"

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master, I will participate in this Dharma Assembly."

The Patriarch said, "Since this is the case, you can participate in this Dharma Assembly under the name of Sanxing Mansion."

Jiang Yuan said: "I will obey the master's orders."

The master smiled and said, "The Buddha in the West has attained nirvana and enlightenment. His teachings are far superior to those of the Bodhisattvas in the sea. If you listen to his teachings, you will definitely gain something."

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, the law of Nirvana is great, but it is easy to learn but difficult to master. Later generations often take the wrong path and distort the truth. This Yulan Festival, Laojun once said that it is like the Buddha sending people from east to west, called "Journey to the West", to preserve Nirvana. I don't think this can be accomplished. The law of Nirvana is gone. It is a great trend and cannot be stopped by the Journey to the West."

The master nodded and said, "I have already told Laojun about this, and you also heard it at that time. This matter has the meaning of saving people from suffering, so I am helping him."

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, in this way, the journey from east to west requires people to go through hardships, and the catastrophe will be eliminated and perfected, which is an opportunity for tempering."

Upon hearing this, the master pondered for a long time and asked, "Do you want to help Wukong to follow this path, so that he can complete his fate and follow the righteous path?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "That's right."

The master said, "You are the boss. If you learn the complete alchemy skills, you should open a cave. There are very few disciples in this cave. They are the twelfth generation of the 'Awakening' generation among the twelve generations of 'Great Wisdom, True Nature Sea, Insightful Enlightenment'. There are still two or three methods of affinity. This will take away all those who have no more affinity methods."

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, I know I should open a cave house, but there are very few people who share the same Dharma with me. How can I open a cave house?"

The master laughed and said, "Is it not enough to open a cave if you don't have enough affinity? Don't worry, you have your own affinity."

Jiang Yuan stopped talking about this. He knew what was going on and that the master was handing the cave over to him.

The master said, "I haven't played chess with a boy for many years. Come forward, we can play a game of chess together."

Jiang Yuan obeyed and went forward to set up the chessboard. He lowered his head and took a closer look. It was chess.

The ancestor played chess with the immortal, handing over one move after another, setting up their battle formations, and the generals fighting each other.

It didn't take long before the game ended and the master was much better than the real person.

The master designated a chess game and asked, "Boy, you won a lot of chess games before, why do you lose so much this time?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Master, before this, I was betting on winning or losing, but now it's different."

The real man knew in his heart that the ancestor was concerned about whether he was cultivating his mind, so he used the chess game as an example.

The master smiled and said, "You are so wise, I don't need to say more. You can go and rest for a while. When you are ready, you can go to the sacred place of Lingshan Mountain."

Jiang Yuan nodded deeply, left the quiet room and returned to his room.

……

The immortal went back to his room to rest and meditate quietly. Before he knew it, three years had passed. During this time, he heard the master preach the great way, and he cultivated his nature and practiced Taoism, which helped him get rid of all his fatigue from refining the elixir.

One day, Jiang Yuan bid farewell to his master and was about to go to the Lingshan scenic spot to participate in the Ullambana Festival.

He originally wanted the Bull King to go with him and ride on the white deer. However, the Bull King told him that the Rakshasa woman was pregnant and he had to take care of the family.

Jiang Yuan heard this and asked, "Is it true?"

The Bull King was delighted and said, "Master, you are serious. That is why I cannot go with you. I must take care of my family and not let my wife be bullied."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "In that case, congratulations. You can rest assured and take care of her at home."

He asked the Ox King to be his guardian, intending that he would practice with him. Since the Ox King's wife was pregnant, the Ox King would be left to take care of her.

The Bull King bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Master. Master, I must ask for a favor from you."

Jiang Yuan stepped forward to help him up and asked, "What do you mean?"

The Bull King said, "I am a person without luck. I have corrected the way but have not been able to concentrate on it, so I have failed. If my child is born and can worship you as his master, it would be a great fate. It would prevent him from following my old path and help him succeed."

Jiang Yuan pointed at the Bull King and said with a smile: "You, the bull, look like your parents."

The Bull King said with a smile, "My Lord, how can any parent not miss his child? I should leave a good path for him. Because I have not yet accomplished anything, I do not want disasters and sufferings to happen in the future."

Jiang Yuan said: "I cannot accept this favor from you. But if he has a predestined relationship with me and has a heart for the Tao, I will teach him carefully and accept him as my disciple."

Upon hearing this, King Niu smiled brightly, bowed several times, said goodbye to Jiang Yuan, and went to Cuiyun Mountain.

When Jiang Yuan saw this, he smiled without saying anything. He called the white deer over, rode on it, and walked down the mountain.

Bai Lu Xingxing asked, "Master, I am going to Lingshan now. Do you have any Dharma for me?"

Jiang Yuan said: "Since you are wholeheartedly listening to the teachings, you will naturally have the opportunity to listen to the teachings, but you must concentrate and not cause any disturbance."

The white deer cried happily as it walked along the mountain path and went down the mountain.

After a while, the white deer walked to the foot of the mountain and headed west. Jiang Yuan felt something and suddenly pulled the reins to make the white deer stop.

The immortal looked into the mountain and saw a man riding a cloud slowly approaching.

"Big brother, big brother!"

The real person took a closer look and found that this person was the real seer.

Jiang Yuan dismounted the white deer and waited for it to come closer before asking, "Junior brother, why are you here? Do you want to go with me?"

Zhen Jian said: "No. Big Brother, I am here on the order of Master to hand over something to you."

Jiang Yuan asked, "What is it?"

Zhenjian took out a ruler and said, "Master asked me to bring this. He said that the obstacles ahead are fierce and high. This thing is for my elder brother to protect himself. If you encounter a difficult obstacle, just use the ruler to sweep it away."

Jiang Yuan smiled when he heard this, took the ruler and said, "I understand. Junior brother, please thank Master for his kindness on my behalf."

Zhen Jian said: "Brother, rest assured. I will convey your gratitude. Then I will report back."

Jiang Yuan said: "Junior brother, please take your time."

The two brothers greeted each other, and Zhenjian left. Jiang Yuan got on the back of a white deer and went to Lingshan.

...Time flies so fast that half a year has gone by without me noticing.

Jiang Yuan finally approached the Buddhist land deep in the west. He saw some beautiful flowers and plants, ancient cypresses and pines. Every family was kind and offered food to monks. The place was rich and had enough food. It was indeed different from other places in Xiniu Hezhou.

Jiang Yuan rode a deer slowly and said with a smile: "It is indeed 'under the feet of the emperor, at the foot of the imperial city', there is indeed a difference, Xiniu Hezhou is desolate, and this place is rich."

The white deer cried out, as if in response.

Jiang Yuan sent the white deer forward for a while, but he saw a row of tall buildings and several-story pavilions in front of him. It was the "Spiritual Palace and Treasure Palace, Jade Pavilion and Pearl Courtyard". He raised his head and took a closer look, and saw that there was infinite Buddha light in the tall buildings and pavilions, which meant that there must be people practicing there.

Jiang Yuan looked around and saw someone walking out of the mountain gate. He shouted, "Tell me, is it Master Guangxin of Xieyue Sanxing Cave?"

Jiang Yuan ordered the white deer to come closer and take a closer look. The man was wearing brocade clothes, waving a whisk in his hand, wearing sandals on his feet. He was graceful and elegant, with Buddha's light around him. He must be a successful practitioner.

He dismounted the white deer and said, "I am Guangxin."

The man walked down and bowed, saying, "This is the Jade True Temple. My Dharma name is Jinding. I am here to wait for those who want to attend the Ullambana Festival in compliance with the Buddha's golden command. Today, an order came saying that the Master Guangxin will be here soon, so I am waiting here."

Jiang Yuan responded, "It turned out that the Immortal Jinding was here in person. I walked slowly, but I am a little late. I am sorry to have troubled the Immortal to wait."

The Immortal of the Golden Summit said, "Please follow me into the temple. I will escort you up the mountain after I have completed all the formalities."

Jiang Yuan said, "Thank you for your help."

The Immortal of the Golden Summit came forward to greet them, and Jiang Yuan followed him inside. After tying up the white deer, they entered the temple.

After entering the temple, the immortal instructed the boy to serve tea and set up vegetarian meals, and to observe all the etiquette. He then asked Jiang Yuan to rest in the temple for a day or two before heading to the Da Lei Ancient Temple.

Jiang Yuan naturally agreed and talked with the Immortal Jinding for a long time in the temple. After resting for two days, he rode out on a white deer.

The Immortal of the Golden Summit personally saw us off. The road to Lingshan cannot be reached by hiking, but by going through the back door of the central hall of Yuzhen Temple.

The Immortal of the Golden Summit pointed to a mountain in the distance and said, "Master, there is a five-colored auspicious light over that mountain. That is the Lingjiu Peak, where the wonderland is."

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Thank you. In this case, I will go there."

The immortal returned the gift and watched Jiang Yuan leave.

Jiang Yuan rode the white deer towards the mountain. Not long after, he saw a stream in front of him. The stream was eight or nine miles wide, with rolling waves and rapid currents. Only a thin and slippery log could be crossed. Next to the log was a plaque with "Lingyun Ferry" written on it.

Jiang Yuan pointed at this single log and said with a smile, "What a nice single-log bridge."

The white deer was timid and said, "Master, I can't climb up here. The wood is thin and slippery. How can I climb up?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "There are two ways to this path. One is to see your heart towards the path. If it is shaken, you can't stop it. The other is to see that you can only enter the path if you are light-hearted. It is indeed an interesting one."

Bai Lu said, "Master, why not ride the wind and fog over there? That would save trouble."

Jiang Yuan said, "Stop, stop, stop. Since you are afraid, just step into my sleeve."

The white deer knelt down to express gratitude.

Jiang Yuan used his magic to put the white deer into his sleeve, then he walked forward, stepped onto the single-plank bridge, and went to the other side as if it were flat ground. After a while, he reached the shore. This bridge was definitely not a problem for him.

When he reached the shore, auspicious clouds came and landed in front of him. It was the Bodhisattva on the sea.

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva."

The Bodhisattva said, "Master Guangxin, I have received the order from the Buddha to come and take you to Leiyin Temple."

Jiang Yuan said: "Thank you, thank you."

The two of them said nothing more, and went up the mountain with auspicious clouds. When they entered the mountain, they saw pairs of colorful phoenixes, pairs of blue phoenixes, purple mushrooms, fragrant orchids, fairy monkeys and white cranes, and all kinds of fairy scenes. Looking up, they saw "a row of palaces and pearls in the east and a row of palaces in the west, and endless treasure pavilions and towers in the south and north". There was also the Heavenly King Palace and the Dharma Protector Hall, which made the mountain peaceful.

The Bodhisattva held down the auspicious cloud and said, "Master Guangxin, this is Lingshan Mountain. The Buddha is in the Great Thunder Temple on the top of Lingshan Mountain."

Jiang Yuan said: "The Lingshan scenic spot is indeed worthy of its reputation."

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Master, the Buddha is waiting for you up there, but please follow me."

Jiang Yuan sang a yes.

Guanyin Bodhisattva sent down auspicious clouds to the top of Lingshan Mountain, and the Immortal followed closely behind.

When they reached the mountain gate, a Vajra suddenly came to stop them.

The Bodhisattva said, "This is the True Man Guangxin, who has come for the Ullambana Festival. Please let him go immediately."

Vajra did not dare to stop him and opened the door. The Bodhisattva led Jiang Yuan through three gates, each with its own difficulties. As long as they heard about the Ullambana Festival, they were all allowed to pass.

The Bodhisattva brought Jiang Yuan to the Main Hall and set up a banquet outside the Main Hall. At that time, there were Buddhas, Arhats, Jiedis, Bodhisattvas, Vajra, Bhikkhus, and nuns, as well as immortals gathered there. It was very joyful and lively, as they were waiting for the 'Yulanpen Festival'.

The Bodhisattva took Jiang Yuan to the Main Hall. When they reached the hall gate, a divine monk came in to offer sacrifices and reported. Not long after, the divine monk came to invite Jiang Yuan in.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan walked into the hall and saw the Tathagata sitting on a lotus throne in the hall. He bowed and said, "I am here to meet the Buddha from Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Xieyue Sanxing Cave, Guangxin."

Tathagata then said, "I have heard of Guangxin's name for a long time. Now I have the chance to see him. Get up, get up! Take your seat with Guangxin."

Say it.

A divine monk came forward and brought two seats in front of Jiang Yuan. The one on the left side closer to the Buddha was a lotus platform, and the one on the right side farther from the Buddha was a cushion. The divine monk asked Jiang Yuan to sit down.

Jiang Yuan smiled, sat on the futon, and said, "Thank you, Master Buddha, for giving me a seat."

Tathagata said: "I have come to Sanxing Cave to attend this Ullambana Festival. I have long heard that you are proficient in Buddhism. When the Ullambana Festival is over, would you like to stay and discuss Buddhism with us Buddhas?"

Jiang Yuan said: "My Buddhism was taught by my master. I cannot say that I am proficient in it without the help of my master. I am grateful that the Buddha has not abandoned me and I volunteer to discuss Buddhism with the Buddhists."

Tathagata smiled and said, "That's great. Please invite the real person to take a seat. The Dharma Assembly will begin later."

Jiang Yuan said yes, stood up and bowed to Tathagata before leaving the main hall.

The Tathagata sat on the lotus platform, looking at Jiang Yuan as he left, with regret in his eyes. He turned to look at Guanyin Bodhisattva and said, "Venerable Guanyin, what do you think of the Dharma of the Great Heart Master?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva clasped his hands and said, "I have heard that recently Master Guangxin has been studying the Dharma with Laojun. His Dharma is improving day by day. He will surely become a person of great power in the future."

Tathagata said: "You don't know that his magic power is not shallow now, and that monkey head who caused chaos can't compare with him. He has supernatural powers and abilities, and he has received the true teachings of Brother Bodhi. It is not easy for a powerful person to win."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said: "If this is the case, then you are qualified to be the founder of a temple."

Tathagata said, "It has been rumored that Brother Bodhi will pass on the Sanxing Cave to Master Guangxin soon. I just invited Master Guangxin to sit on the lotus platform, but he refused. Master Guangxin's heart is unshakable and he won't enter my Lingshan. It is really a pity."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said: "The law of fate has not arrived yet."

Tathagata shook his head and asked, "Has Laojun arrived?"

The Bodhisattva said, “No.”

Tathagata said: "In this case, wait a few more years."

Guanyin Bodhisattva clasped his hands and bowed again without saying a word.

(End of this chapter)