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

Chapter 450 Paper Cutting, Bodhisattva's Decree

The True Man ascended the altar and sat high, summoning everyone in the palace to expound the Great Dao.

"Observe those who seek the Dharma, their eyes gleaming as they peruse the Tripitaka, their ten fingers diligently turning the prayer beads. Yet their minds are shrouded in mist, the true words passing through their ears like wind through a broken window; their hearts are sealed with dust, the precious image before them like the moon illuminating a cold pool. It is like a blind man holding a lamp to illuminate objects, the lamp may be bright, but the eyes cannot see; or like a deaf man playing a zither seeking sound, the strings may tremble, but the ears cannot hear. Alas! A lamp without roots is ultimately extinguished by the winds of karma; a leaky vessel filled with dew cannot escape being burned dry by the fires of calamity..."

"Therefore, a true cultivator should be like oil for strengthening the foundation, first moistening the wick. Delusions are like the wind, protecting this flame of the mind from flickering; worldly troubles are like rain, sheltering it with the canopy of wisdom from toppling it. When the wick is firmly solidified, what fear is there of the fierce winds of a thousand eons? The light of the mind will naturally dispel the darkness, illuminating the clouds of delusion accumulated over lifetimes..."

"If this fundamental principle is ignored, even if a crystal lamp is carved with dragons and phoenixes, when the oil runs out, it will be nothing but rotten wood; even if a seven-jeweled stand is adorned with jade and gold, when the wick breaks, it will eventually turn into charcoal! At that time, the lamp stand will overturn, and a sea of ​​fire will rage; those trapped in the flames will burn their own bodies..."

When a true master expounds the scriptures, it is truly a case of "the lamp of the heart suddenly ignites, the moon of wisdom shines in the sky. The profound truth is transmitted through the seal of the true master, the mysterious mechanism is unobstructed. A gentle dusting sweeps away the fog from the spiritual platform, the rain of Dharma frequently nourishes the lotus in the sea of ​​nature. A while is spent expounding on the profound, a while is spent discussing emptiness, all dharmas return to their origin within this very place. Do not seek outside the spiritual platform, the light of nature will naturally be perfectly integrated. A hundred years of sitting in meditation is not the ultimate goal, the true skill is to keep the lamp of the heart burning brightly."

Everyone in the class was delighted and captivated by the Master's words.

Mo Zhi was so anxious that he scratched his head, because he couldn't understand what the master was saying at all. He felt as if he were hearing heavenly voices, but he didn't understand why.

He wanted to ask Zuo Liang, who was not far ahead, what exactly he was saying and why he couldn't understand it.

Seeing Zuo Liang's meditative state, Mo Zhi dared not disturb him and could only stand by, constantly troubled.

Just as Mo Zhi was feeling restless, distressed, and helpless, a sound suddenly arose, and it was the True Man looking towards him.

“Xinzhou, you were sitting quietly in class, listening to my sermon, why were you so restless and looked so frantic? What is the reason for this?”

The Master then said that all the people in the class had left after entering meditation and had come looking around.

Mo Zhi stepped out of the classroom and said, "Master, please forgive me! Master, please forgive me! This disciple is somewhat dull and does not understand what you are saying. Seeing that my fellow disciples can all understand, I was a little anxious and that's why I was so restless."

The master said, "I know you haven't been in the manor for long, so I've focused on the basics when I explain things here. I didn't expect you to find it so hard to understand, and that's my fault."

Mo Zhi said, "It is because Master has been somewhat negligent that he has not taught me any techniques or methods, so I cannot understand them. If Master could teach me, I would be able to hear what Master says clearly, just like my fellow disciples."

The master smiled and said, "I know that you want to learn the secrets, but you are still too young to start. If I were to teach you the secrets here, it would be a disservice to you. Therefore, I do not wish to teach you the secrets here. I hope you understand this."

Mo Zhi said, “Master, how could you harm me by passing on your teachings? Please do not worry, Master, you can pass on your teachings. If I obtain the teachings and techniques, I will surely be able to cultivate in peace. Then, when I encounter Master’s teachings again, I will be able to understand what Master is saying.”

The master pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do you truly intend to learn the secrets here?"

Mo Zhi said, “Master, it is always better to learn the way sooner rather than later. This is the perfect time to learn. I hope that you will have pity on my suffering and pass on the way to me! I will remember your kindness!”

The master asked again, "Is it really true?"

Without hesitation, Mo Zhi replied, "Indeed!"

Upon hearing this, the Master laughed and said, "Since that's the case, why shouldn't I teach you my methods? What kind of methods do you want to learn from me? Can you give me an answer?"

Mo Zhi was overjoyed. He hadn't expected the immortal to be so agreeable. He had only asked a few simple questions, and the immortal had already agreed to pass on his knowledge. He had originally thought he would have to argue with the immortal for a long time. Now that the immortal was passing on his knowledge, he had the hope of obtaining immortal techniques, which truly delighted him.
Mo Zhi respectfully bowed to the Master and said, "Master, I want to learn a way to be imposing."

Jiang Yuan asked, "What do you mean by the Weifeng Sect?"

Mo Zhi scratched his head and pondered for a long time before replying, "Master, I wish to learn a magic technique. It must be a powerful technique that, once used, can astonish others. However, I have never practiced it before, and this is my first time here, so I will rely on your teachings, Master."

Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "Within the Daoist sect, there are three hundred and sixty side sects, each with its own prestige. With you speaking like this, I don't know how to teach you."

Upon hearing this, Mo Zhi was extremely anxious, fearing that if he did not explain clearly, the immortal would not teach him the immortal techniques. After thinking for a long time, he hurriedly said, "Master, but I once heard a storyteller in Anling Kingdom telling stories in a book. In that book, there were people who could cut paper into soldiers and paper into the moon, which was extremely impressive."

Jiang Yuan said, "Paper cutting? This should be like the art of paper cutting. In that case, I will teach you the art of paper cutting from the art of paper cutting. What do you think?"

Mo Zhi was overjoyed and said, "I am willing to learn this skill! I am willing to learn this skill! Please teach me, Master!"

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "In that case, please sit down and I will explain this to you."

Mo Zhi responded and sat down cross-legged.

Jiang Yuan then began to discuss the ins and outs with Mo Zhi.

Mo Zhi racked his brains and wrote down everything Jiang Yuan said. He knew that this was the magic of immortals and dared not be careless. As long as he could memorize these things, he would be able to succeed in the future and bring glory to his family.

Sun Wukong, Zhenjian, Zuo Liang, and the others in the class looked at Jiang Yuan preaching to Mo Zhi, exchanging silent glances.

Red Boy stepped forward and chatted with Zuo Liang, saying, "Second Senior Brother, how come this Junior Brother is about to master the skills so quickly? But I can still see that this Junior Brother's mind is not settled yet, and it is not the right time for him to master the skills completely. If he forces himself to master them, he may ruin himself."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "Junior brother, I understand what you mean, but we shouldn't interfere in this matter. The path is under our feet; this is what our master taught us years ago."

Upon hearing this, Red Boy remained silent for a long time before nodding, knowing that Zuo Liang's words made sense.

Zuo Liang said softly, "Junior brother, do not worry. The path here is the choice that Xinzhou made on his own. Master has reminded him repeatedly, and I have also given him some pointers. He has not come to his senses. He cannot blame others. The sea of ​​suffering is boundless, and only he can cross it by himself."

Red Boy said, “Senior Brother, I know this. The teachings of Master here are all about cultivating one’s mind, and they are all in common language. This is to teach Junior Brother Xinzhou the principles, but I never expected that Junior Brother Xinzhou would not listen to a word of them. If Junior Brother Xinzhou is willing to calm his mind, he will surely be able to understand these teachings.”

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "No need to worry about it. Junior brother, this master is talking about the way of the 'technique' sect. Why don't you listen? This master here is not guarding against six ears, and you and I are both six ears."

Red Boy shook his head and said, "Second Senior Brother, I have my own methods. Why should I learn this? It's not about having many methods; it would be strange if I didn't know this common sense. On the contrary, Second Senior Brother, what you are learning is also a 'technique,' and this is also a 'technique.' Why don't you listen to it?"

Zuo Liang said, “The art of paper cutting is vast and profound, and cannot be explained in a few words. Paper cutting has its own methods, and I have my own methods. There is no need to learn more; just practice my methods, and that will be enough.”

As the two talked, the master had already explained all the intricacies of paper cutting to Mo Zhi without holding back a single detail. After finishing his explanation, he gave further instructions, saying, "Xin Zhou, there are three essential aspects to this art of paper cutting, which are also indispensable skills. The first is shaping, the second is infusing the soul, and the third is invoking the spirit. Shaping the shape means that three inches can cut the sky, and a single sheet of paper can transform into an army; the shape is of utmost importance. Infusing the soul means commanding the nine netherworlds, and having the spirit come from the east; the infusion of the soul is of utmost importance. As for invoking the spirit, you don't need to think about it for now. Once you reach this level, I don't need to say more; you will understand the principles involved."

Mo Zhi pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, "Disciple thanks Master for imparting the teachings. Disciple has memorized everything Master has taught me."

The master said, "If you can calm your mind and cultivate yourself, then there is no need for thanks."

Mo Zhi responded, hesitated for a long time, and said, "Master, but I saw in the teaching that if one wants to teach paper cutting, magical power is unavoidable. But I do not have magical power. What should I do?"

The master was somewhat puzzled and said, "Since you have no magical power, you can cultivate and develop magical power. I will teach you the way, and you can develop magical power on your own."

Mo Zhi scratched his head and cheeks for a long time before finally saying, "Master, but if we cultivate according to that method, it will probably take a lot of time. I wonder if Master has any shortcut that can teach me to see the power of paper cutting without having to suffer so much."

As he spoke, Mo Zhi seemed to realize his rudeness and hurriedly said, "Master, it is not that I lack patience, but I know that cultivating magical power takes a long time. Therefore, if there is a shortcut that can teach me to see results immediately, I will be able to concentrate on my cultivation even more after seeing the results."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan remained calm and composed, smiling as she said, "But if it's about magical power, then one's own cultivation is superior. However, since you speak in this way, as your teacher, I cannot refuse to teach you. I can give you a method that allows you to borrow the power of heaven and earth. However, when using this method, you must revere heaven and earth and not show off in front of others. Otherwise, this method will be useless. Are you willing to learn it?"

Mo Zhi was overjoyed and said, "I am willing to learn it!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately taught the method to Mo Zhi. After hearing it, Mo Zhi understood the method and was overjoyed. He thought that with this method and the skill of paper cutting, he could achieve immortality.

After instructing Mo Zhi, the Master did not speak of the Great Dao again, but instead dispersed from the class.

The disciples in the class received the order and dispersed.

The True Man was about to return to his meditation room, but before he could, as if sensing something, he looked out of the mansion and stopped the Bull Demon King who was walking behind him.

Upon receiving the order, the Bull Demon King immediately went to the Immortal and asked, "Master, is there anything I can help you with?"

The Master said, “There are guests from Mount Luojia in the South Sea outside the mansion. They have come with the golden decree of the Bodhisattva. Their actions are related to the remaining Nine Cauldrons. Go and greet them, and bring them to the Jade Terrace. I will meet them here.”

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King bowed and said, "Master, I will now go outside the manor. Please wait here for a while!"

Say it.

The Bull Demon King strode out of the palace.

A short while later, the Bull Demon King arrived outside the mansion, pushed open the gate, and stood outside to look around. He saw no one approaching, but he knew that since there were people outside the mansion, there must be people outside the mansion, so he stood outside the mansion and waited.

After waiting for half an hour, auspicious clouds appeared from the south outside the mountain.

The Bull Demon King waited for the auspicious cloud to descend, and upon closer inspection, he saw that it was Huian the Pilgrim. He bowed and said, "Venerable One, this is where you came from!"

Huian Xingzhe stepped forward, greeted him, and said, “King Niu, I have come with a golden decree from Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea, requesting to see the True Man. I hope that you, King Niu, can go and inform the True Man so that he may grant me an audience.”

The Bull Demon King said, “I am here today because I have received the decree of the True Man. You may come with me. The True Man is waiting for you at the Jade Terrace in his mansion. The True Man has already told you that you have come on the orders of the Bodhisattva. It’s just that I, the old bull, have arrived a little early and have been waiting for you here for half an hour.”

Upon hearing this, Hui'an Xingzhe was greatly astonished by the True Man's profound magic. He bowed to the mansion and said, "The True Man's magic here is indeed profound."

The Bull Demon King said, “My lord now possesses great magical power and is different from others. Venerable One, let’s not talk here any longer. My lord is still waiting inside. Why don’t you come with me inside and meet him? What do you think, Venerable One?”

Huian Xingzhe said, "That is indeed the case."

The Bull Demon King then led Huian Xingzhe into the mansion and headed towards the Jade Terrace.

The two walked along the road, talking as they went.

Huian Xingzhe looked around the mansion and said, "The mansion is indeed different now. I came here in previous years, but the mansion was not like this at that time."

The Bull Demon King laughed, "The master in the manor now possesses great magical power, and with the patriarch still alive, how can things be the same as before? Now there are two great magical powers in the manor, plus my virtuous brother, and the master's eldest disciple is also cultivating the Golden Core and inheriting the mantle. The manor is no longer what it used to be!"

Huian Xingzhe said, "This kind of blessed land is not what it used to be!"

The Bull Demon King was about to say something more.

Pigsy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said, "Venerable Huian, since that's the case, tell me, is my Crescent Moon Cave better, or Mount Luojia in the South Sea?"

The appearance of Pigsy, whom the Bull Demon King taught, startled him. Upon hearing his words, the Bull Demon King said, "Pigsy, when did you arrive? I have been summoned by my master. Do not speak nonsense here. Leave immediately! If you delay my business, you will be unforgivable."

Upon hearing that the Bull Demon King had brought up the real person, Pigsy dared not speak again. He curled his lip, said he was just passing by, and walked in the other direction.

The Bull Demon King turned his head and said, "Venerable One, do not pay attention to this Pigsy. He is always talking nonsense, and he is talking nonsense again today, so there is no need to listen to what he has to say."

Huian Xingzhe clasped his hands together, smiled, and said nothing; he dared not answer the question posed by Zhu Bajie.

Seeing that Huian Xingzhe had no intention of talking, the Bull Demon King said no more and led Huian Xingzhe forward.

The two walked along the road in the mansion for half an incense stick's time before arriving at the Jade Terrace.

The Bull Demon King said, "This is the Jade Terrace. The True Man is waiting for you there. Come in with me."

Huian Xingzhe stopped the Bull Demon King, straightened his clothes and looked around several times. Seeing that there was nothing improper about him, he felt relieved and said, "Please lead me inside, Bull King!"

(End of this chapter)