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

Chapter 348 A Moment of Light, Annihilation in the Present Moment
The multitude of Arhats, following the golden decree, led two streams of banners and canopies out of the mountain gate to meet the Four Heavenly Kings. They said, “We have been ordered by the golden decree to lead the way and receive the True Man. We hope that the True Man will condescend to accept our guidance and come with us. The Tathagata is waiting in front of the hall.”

Upon hearing his words, the four guardian deities at the gate quickly made way, saying, "Please come in, Master."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded. He then rode a cloud into the mountain gate, where he was received by banners and canopies. He was then bathed in Buddhist scriptures by the assembly of Arhats and entered the mountain gate, heading towards the Mahavira Hall.

A short while later, the assembly of Arhats led the True Man to the front of the Great Buddha Hall. Upon arriving, the True Man saw the Tathagata sitting on a nine-tiered lotus throne before the hall, with Maitreya Buddha and Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva accompanying him on either side.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Yuan immediately bowed and said, "Ignorant child, how could you have made Venerable Shakyamuni, Venerable Maitreya, and Avalokiteshvara wait so long in front of the hall? This is my fault."

The Buddha said, “The True Man has descended from the clouds and arrived without being impolite. Our Mount Ling should treat the True Man with courtesy. Otherwise, wouldn’t others say that our Mount Ling is impolite and a barbarian land?”

Then, the Buddha invited the True Man into the hall.

The real person readily agreed.

The group entered the main hall, where the Buddha took a prayer mat and sat down with the immortal.

The master sat down, bowed, and said, “Venerable One, some time ago, while I was meditating in my residence, I heard my master say that you sent someone to invite me to discuss the Dharma. Upon hearing this, I came to see you. Please forgive me if I have been disrespectful.”

The Buddha said, “There is no reason for you to be impolite, True Person. But if you speak impolitely, it is because I invited you to discuss the Dharma with me and disturbed your meditation.”

Jiang Yuan said, "I dare not accept such praise. It is my honor to discuss Buddhism with the Venerable One."

The Buddha smiled and said, “I have invited the True Man here today to discuss the Nirvana. In the past, the True Man heard much about the Dharma of Nirvana. At that time, the True Man’s Dharma power was profound, but he had not yet achieved the great accomplishment he has today. Now, his understanding of the Dharma of Nirvana must be different, so I invited the True Man to come.”

Jiang Yuan said, "In that case, please tell me, Venerable One, how should we discuss the method of Nirvana?"

The Tathagata said: "This treatise discusses the views of each other on the Dharma of Nirvana, expounding them in sequence, mutually verifying each other, and each supplementing the deficiencies. What do you think, True Man?"

Jiang Yuan said, "It is up to Your Excellency. Since Your Excellency invited me here to discuss the Dharma, let me begin by expounding on Nirvana. What does Your Excellency think?"

The Buddha smiled and said, "Of course it's not impossible. It would be too much trouble for you, Master."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan rose and bowed to the three Buddhas, Maitreya, and others. After a moment of contemplation, he chanted, "The extinction of Nirvana is not the stubborn emptiness of annihilation, but the clear and bright nature of true reality. Like the bright mirror of Bodhi, it reflects all phenomena without obstruction; like the vast emptiness containing spirit, it embraces all beings without leaving a trace. When sentient beings are deluded, they falsely cling to the four elements as their body and the six sense objects as their environment. Thus, the five aggregates arise, and the cycle of birth and death begins. When they awaken, they see that the five aggregates are empty, that all dharmas are without self, and that afflictions are eternally extinguished, like snow melting in a raging fire."

"The principle of dependent origination is like silk threads weaving into brocade, a thousand threads intertwined; like waves surging in the sea, ten thousand drops sharing the same source. This exists because that exists, this does not exist because that does not exist, like a shadow following a form, like an echo responding to a sound. If one clings to the idea of ​​real existence, one falls into the trap of eternalism; if one clings to the idea of ​​annihilation, one falls into the trap of false emptiness. Only by realizing the true meaning of 'neither arising nor ceasing' can one know that quiescence is not separate from dependent origination."

The master fully expressed his understanding of the Dharma of Nirvana.

At first, the Buddha and the others did not take it seriously when they heard it, but when the True Man spoke more profoundly, all three were shocked. They did not know that the True Man's understanding of the Dharma of Nirvana had become so profound.

The Buddha made no comment.

Maitreya Buddha smiled broadly. He knew that the True Man was a practitioner of the Golden Elixir Path, but his understanding of the Nirvana Dharma was unfathomable. This was enough to show how the True Man's cultivation was at present. This True Man had achieved great success in the righteous path and was now practicing unorthodox methods in preparation for establishing his own abode.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was astonished. The young boy who had once served Bodhi Patriarch had now attained such profound magical power; he was truly remarkable.

Time flies, and more than half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

The Master finished his sermon in the Great Buddha Hall.

After he finished speaking, he bowed to the Buddha and the other two and said, "If there is anything wrong with my humble opinion, I hope the Venerable One will not be offended."

The Buddha laughed and said, "Now that I have heard what you have said, I know that you have profound cultivation and great magical power. There is nothing wrong with what you have said. In many profound ways, even the Buddhas of Mount Ling cannot surpass you."

Jiang Yuan said, "Your Excellency flatters me; I am unworthy of such praise."

The Buddha smiled and said, "If there is anything I may hear, please tell me, Master."

Jiang Yuan said, "Your Excellency, please speak freely. I will answer all your questions without reservation."

The Buddha said, "But if one cultivates the Dharma of Nirvana, besides enlightenment, as you see it, how else can one cultivate?"

Jiang Yuan pondered for a long time before saying, "In my ignorant opinion, the cultivation of Nirvana lies in three things: discipline, concentration, and wisdom. By cultivating these three, Nirvana can be achieved, and all afflictions will be eliminated."

The Buddha said, "How about taking the precepts?"

Jiang Yuan replied, "Precepts are like a moat protecting a city; they are the foundation of one's character. They prevent wrongdoing and stop evil, keeping the mind and body pure, like a lotus emerging from the mud unsullied."

The Buddha said, "How about it being settled?"

Jiang Yuan replied, "Stillness is like a polishing elixir; by focusing the mind on one point, it dispels the fog of the five aggregates, like a still lake reflecting the sky, revealing every detail."

The Buddha said, "What about wisdom?"

Jiang Yuan replied, "Wisdom is like a sharp sword cutting through vines, illuminating the absence of self, destroying all the thieves of afflictions, like a vajra pestle shattering a vajra mountain."

Upon hearing this profound statement, the Buddha clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "What the True Man has said is truly wonderful. Therefore, with a single thought of turning back the light, one immediately attains Nirvana."

Upon hearing the Buddha's words, Jiang Yuan pondered them carefully and was deeply moved. He bowed and said, "Venerable One, you are truly accomplished in the path of Nirvana, but your eight words surpass mine by far."

The Buddha shook his head and said, “My Nirvana is extremely difficult! Those with shallow spiritual power cannot understand it, while those with profound spiritual power can perceive its mystery.”

Jiang Yuan said, "Easy to learn but difficult to master; this is called Nirvana."

The Buddha smiled and said, “What the True Man says is very reasonable. As I expected, it will eventually perish in the passage of time, and the Chan (Zen) Dharma will become the present-day Buddhism.”

Jiang Yuan said, "There is no two dharmas in Buddhism."

The Buddha was very pleased and said, “What the True Man says is very true. Please take a seat, True Man, and listen to my Nirvana.”

After Jiang Yuan bowed in greeting, she sat down on the prayer mat.

The Tathagata preached the Dharma of Nirvana, but when he preached the Dharma of Nirvana, forty-two white rainbows filled the sky, connecting the north and south, and the precious palace shone brightly.

When a true person sees this, they will listen attentively and use the Buddha's teachings to help themselves. The Buddha's teachings are extremely profound, far surpassing those of others. However, the Buddha's teachings are very subtle. If one's spiritual power is shallow, it is difficult to understand them. One may gain only a superficial understanding and think that one has already understood, thus going astray without realizing it.

However, only those with profound spiritual power who hear it will understand the wonder of the Buddha's teachings, their unfathomable depth, and the immense benefit they will receive from them.

……

Meanwhile, in a city in Jizhou, Zuo Liang and Wang Shou traveled to heal the people. Whenever they heard of his arrival, the people of the city cheered and welcomed him.

Zuo Liang was very uncomfortable with this situation. After treating the people, he and Wang Shou found a quiet inn to rest.

Zuo Liang sent Wang Shou out to purchase some things, while he waited in his room. He thought to himself, "Perhaps I should change my clothes and hide my identity. Otherwise, every time I arrive in a city, I am surrounded by people, which makes it very difficult for me to help them."

Zuo Liang pondered a solution. But before he could finish, Wang Shou entered, looking somewhat dejected and flustered.

Upon seeing this, Zuo Liang said, "Wang Shou, what's wrong with you?"

When Wang Shou saw Zuo Liang, he finally came to his senses and said, "Master, something terrible has happened."

Zuo Liang said, "What important matter could have caused you to return empty-handed?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shou came to his senses, looked at his hands, and said, "Master, I was so flustered when I heard the news that I forgot to buy anything. Please forgive me."

Zuo Liang waved his hand and said, "I'll go again later, but tell me what's making you so flustered."

Wang Shou said, "Master, in the Yuzhou area, some people have gathered a crowd to rebel and have called themselves 'General of Heavenly Restoration and Equalization'."

Zuo Liang said, "The ones who should be flustered are the imperial court and the regional military governors. Why are you so flustered and at a loss?"

Wang Shou said, "Master, but I have heard that my childhood friend has also gathered a crowd to rebel."

Zuo Liang asked, "Is it Huang Chao?"

Wang Shou nodded and said, "It is indeed Huang Chao, it is indeed Huang Chao. But I heard that he led his people to respond to the rebels' rebellion, and is now heading towards Yuzhou, attacking cities and seizing territory."

Zuo Liang stroked his beard and said, "When I first met him, I knew he was no good. I never imagined he would rebel and defy the court. How is the court reacting now?"

Wang Shou said, “I have heard that the imperial court has sent a military governor to lead troops to suppress the rebellion, but I do not know the outcome. I have seen rumors spreading in the city. Some say that the rebels are powerful and that all the people and refugees in the world who cannot survive have joined their army to rebel against the imperial court. Others say that the imperial army is very capable and will be able to easily quell the rebellion.”

Zuo Liang said, "Although I do not know the outcome of the battle, in my opinion, the fate of the Tang Dynasty is coming to an end, just like the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the rebellion of the Taiping Dao, which derailed its destiny."

Wang Shou asked, "Master, could my friend be on the run?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "But I am not a god, how could I know such things? But in your opinion, how many rebels throughout history have had a good ending?"

Wang Shou was filled with worry. He said, "Those who rebel either succeed or die trying, but few succeed. Such are the examples of Emperor Gaozu of Han, Emperor Wen of the previous dynasty, and Emperor Taizu of our dynasty. I fear that my friend Huang Chao will not have a good end."

Zuo Liang said, “The road is under your feet. Years ago, I passed through your city. You saw that the court was corrupt and chose to follow me. Your friend Huang Chao, however, chose to take the imperial examination. Now, after failing the exam repeatedly, he has rebelled in anger. This is the path he has chosen, and you cannot stop him.”

Wang Shou said, "Master, I know myself, but I am saddened to learn that my childhood friend has gone down such a path."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "Who knows, your childhood friend may one day achieve great success and become an emperor. When he comes to find you, you will have to pay him a grand salute."

Wang Shou said, "That is not possible."

Zuo Liang asked, "Why not? Tell me the reason."

Wang Shou said, "Although I have not mastered any special skills in my cultivation with my master, I have learned some medical skills and physiognomy. My friend does not look like an emperor."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "When did you learn that? How could I not know?"

Wang Shou said, "But sometimes my master would read other people's faces, and I would watch from the sidelines. Over time, I learned a lot from him."

Zuo Liang pointed at Wang Shou and said, "Your disciple, I taught you medicine, but you learned it very slowly. However, you are quite good at learning physiognomy. You have learned a lot in just a few words."

Wang Shou shook his head and said, "Master, please don't be offended. But I don't know why I learned physiognomy so quickly."

Zuo Liang said, "This is due to my natural talent. But I only know a little about physiognomy, and I can't say I'm an expert. When I enter the sect in the future, I will ask my master for some guidance and he will teach you some of it then."

Wang Shou said, "Master, I am not in a hurry. But I have something I would like to ask you."

Zuo Liang said, "Tell me."

Wang Shou said, "Master, I have followed you for many years. Why do you not look old? I know that you are a cultivator, but are all cultivators immortal?"

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "I am not immortal, but I have some skills that can prolong life. I can't say I am immortal."

Wang Shou said, "Master, is it possible that cultivators cannot achieve immortality?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "There are many paths to cultivation, but the Daoist path has 360 side paths, encompassing all kinds of things. However, the claim of immortality is mostly illusory, as is the case with someone like me. If one truly desires immortality, only the righteous path can achieve it."

Wang Shou asked, "Since there is a way to achieve immortality, why doesn't Master follow this path?"

Zuo Liang said, "The right path is very difficult, and I find it hard to follow. If I force myself to follow it, I will eventually fail. The most valuable thing for a person is to be content."

Wang Shou seemed to understand, and said, "Master, I understand."

Zuo Liang smiled and nodded, saying, "Let's go and buy things and acquire what we need. Later, we'll leave this city and go somewhere else."

Wang Shou bowed and said, "Yes, Master. But Master, where should we go?"

Zuo Liang said, "Ji Province is vast, and there are still places we have not yet been to. We should head forward."

Wang Shou pondered for a long time and said, "Master, but in today's world, the court is corrupt, the regional warlords are separatist, and some people are gathering crowds to rebel. We fear that the people we treat will become refugees the very next day. What should we do?"

Zuo Liang said, "Just do good deeds and don't worry about the future."

Wang Shou accepted the order and dared not ask any further questions.

……

Time flies like an arrow, and more than a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

The world was in chaos. Although Zuo Liang and Wang Shou rushed to various places to treat the people, their efforts were like a drop in the ocean in the face of chaos. Their treatment over several months could not even match the number of people killed by the rebel army in a single day.

One day, Zuo Liang stopped to rest at an inn in a city south of Jizhou. He felt extremely tired, which was due to the weariness caused by the three calamities. However, he was helpless because decades of hard work could not withstand the calamity of war and was destroyed in an instant.

Zuo Liang rested for a long time when Wang Shou suddenly walked in and said, "Master, but the rebel army has changed."

Zuo Liang asked, "Where is the change?"

Wang Shou said, "On the day the court offered amnesty, he was appointed as the General of the Army and recruited as the Left Shence Army's chief strategist. He readily agreed, but my friend Huang Chao disagreed. The two parted ways, and Huang Chao proclaimed himself the General Who Soars to the Sky and led his army south. I fear this chaos will take several years to quell."

Zuo Liang sighed but remained silent, offering no comment.

(End of this chapter)