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

Chapter 49 What is the Golden Elixir?
In the Yaotai class, the master pulled Jiang Tong'er to sit on the cushion.

The master said, "My boy, what is this method of 'awakening'? Can you teach me?"

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master, why do you say that? I have all five of you, and I have read the two schools of thought thoroughly, which is a credit to you. If you want to know a little secret, I am afraid I will spoil your ears. If you can tell me, how can I not tell you?"

The master laughed and said, "My boy, you are practicing the small way like this, how can you practice the big way? Tell me, what is enlightenment?"

Jiang Yuan said, "Master, in my humble opinion, everyone can become a Buddha, but the 'Nirvana Dharma' taught in the Lingshan Wonderland is different. People should become Buddhas, but when they have not become Buddhas, it is because their consciousness has not yet awakened. When awakened, they will understand their nature. When awakened, they will see their mind. When awakened, they will break through obstacles. When awakened, they will be immeasurable. When awakened, they will become Buddhas."

During this time he had a big dream and understood something, but it still didn't make sense. After receiving the teachings from the ancestors, the two schools of thought were combined as before, so he gradually understood this method.

The master asked, "Is this the same as the ever-present Tao?"

Jiang Yuan nodded in agreement. The Tao is always there. Those who hear the Tao advance, while those who do not hear it retreat. The same is true for consciousness. Those who are awake advance, while those who are not awake retreat.

It is the union of two families.

The master pondered for a while and said, "Tong'er, what is the name of this method?"

Jiang Yuan looked up and said, "Master, this method is called 'Zen'."

The master tapped the boy's forehead with his ruler and said with a sigh, "Boy, if we compare academic theories, you are not far behind me."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "How dare a disciple compare himself with the master?"

The master asked, "Now that I have heard you say this, boy, I will not hide it from you. The Western Saint Tathagata has promised you a true Buddhahood and invited you to enter Lingshan. Are you willing?"

Jiang Yuan waved his hand and said, "Master, I am familiar with the teachings of both schools. Why would I go to Lingshan? I just hope to stay with you in the mansion."

The master nodded with a smile and said, "When you have time, leave this teaching in your cave."

Jiang Yuan sang a yes.

The master pulled Jiang Yuan to the quiet room at the back of Yaotai.

Before long, they entered the quiet room and saw the master sitting cross-legged on a cushion. Jiang Yuanfu was inspired and realized that the master was teaching him the secrets of Taoism, so he knelt down in front of him.

The master pondered for a while and said, "Tong'er, are you really determined to practice the golden elixir path?"

Jiang Yuan kowtowed and said, "Disciple is dedicated to practicing this righteous path!"

The master asked, "No regrets?"

Jiang Yuan kowtowed again: "No regrets!"

The ancestor smiled and said, "My boy, you have many thoughts. Five people are all here to protect the primordial spirit. You can get a glimpse of the secrets of Taoism. However, it still takes a lot of effort to refine the golden elixir. It is not easier than asking five people."

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, I have no regrets and hope you can teach me!"

The master waved his sleeves, a gentle breeze blew, and the classroom door was closed. He said, "Come closer, boy, and listen carefully. The secrets of the Tao are not to be passed on, so don't let your six ears hear them."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan knelt down before the master.

The master said, "My boy, what is the golden elixir you awaken?"

Jiang Yuan pondered for a while and replied, "To make a pill in the stomach?"

Snapped.

The master took out a ruler and hit the boy on the top of his head, causing him to hold his head and cry out in pain. Then he said, "What is the elixir in the stomach? How can the elixir be an external object? The body is complete and all the orifices are connected. How can the elixir be in the stomach? What is the principle?"

Jiang Yuan rubbed his head and said, "Master, I don't know. Master asked this question, and I answered it as I felt."

The master shook his head and smiled, "The golden elixir is the right way. Gold means immortality. The elixir means perfection and the unity of the primordial essence. How come it turned into a mud pill after falling into the mouth of a child?" Jiang Yuan suddenly understood. This is the reason. The golden elixir is not a mud pill, but a teaching to achieve perfection and immortality through practice. Therefore, it has great magical powers. He bowed and said, "Master, I understand."

The master said: "I will teach you the secret formula, you must remember it carefully and don't tell others."

Jiang Yuan kowtowed to express his gratitude and washed his ears attentively.

The master then lowered his head and whispered to the boy, explaining the mantras one by one.

The boy memorized the formula and never dared to forget it.

At this time, the master taught the formula to the boy, and said: "This formula, recite it every day, and you will be able to refine the elixir. There are still a few steps to go, setting up the cauldron, collecting herbs, controlling the fire, refining, warming and nourishing, and mating. It will turn into a golden elixir after nine transformations!"

Jiang Yuan was very clever after hearing this. He immediately understood why the master had taught him to invite five people first. He asked, "Master, will these five people save me a lot of effort?"

The ancestor smiled and said, "Of course, but it still requires a lot of effort. If you don't have five people, you will never succeed in practicing the golden elixir. The two gods will always stop you, and the five people will disturb you every day. How can you concentrate? It takes seven steps to refine the elixir. When you invite five people, you can roughly control the temperature, collect herbs for your body, and never collect external herbs. It will be easy for you. With the help of five people, you can easily get it. You only need to wait for the remaining five steps, and you will have hope of succeeding in refining the elixir."

How could Jiang Tong'er not understand? It was difficult to invite five people, but he was taught a trick. When the elixir was refined, the two steps of "collecting herbs" and "controlling the fire" could be omitted, which was simple. The remaining five steps were not difficult for him, but he still needed to work hard and attentively.

This is the kindness of the founder. The founder could have not taught to invite five people and practice the golden elixir in the right way. However, if one practices in this way, it will be tantamount to seeking death.

He bowed down and said, "Disciple thanks Master!"

The master helped the boy up and said, "You are my disciple, so don't act like that. Sit here and I will teach you how to stand the tripod."

Jiang Yuan served the master and first sat on the cushion, then sat on the ground. He said, "Master, please teach me!"

The master said: "The method of setting up the tripod is easy. The so-called tripod is the place for refining the elixir. This tripod is not a real tripod, but a tripod in the body, also known as the elixir platform. Your head is round and supports the sky, your feet are square and step on the ground, and you absorb the two energies of heaven and earth and gather the elixir in your body."

Jiang Yuan's mind was beginning to open up. He seemed to be thinking about something and asked, "Master, like Jin Gong?"

The master nodded and said, "That's right! The five of you have only been together for a short while. You should take a break and then start the cauldron. Once the cauldron and furnace are together, you can't stop until the elixir is ready."

Jiang Yuan responded and knew what to do.

The master smiled and said, "Boy, go and have a good rest. You must be tired after inviting five people for hundreds of years."

After hearing what the master said, Jiang Yuan left.

……

Jiang Tong'er returned to the quiet room and sat down on the cushion. Suddenly, he felt a great fatigue coming down from the mud palace. He felt his hands and feet weak and he didn't want to move.

He was slightly startled, as hundreds of years of hard training came to his mind vividly. He said that he had gained a little magical power and did not feel tired, because he had invited five people, which was a difficult process. He still had energy left and his soul was helping him.

At this time, the five people returned to normal, their spirits were exhausted, and their fatigue could no longer be concealed. He felt his whole body loose.

"Five people have returned to the right path!"

"When the tripod is set up and the medicine is burned, my dharma will be accomplished!"

Jiang Yuan couldn't even stand up, but he was very happy.

He was an ordinary man in this world, fortunately he had a dream, from which he woke up. He became a disciple of Bodhisattva, who taught him the correct way. After hundreds of years of hard practice, it was boring, but he finally gained something by cultivating his nature and practicing Taoism.

He is not like Sun Wukong in the dream of "Journey to the West", who practiced the right way for years, nor is he like Marshal Tianpeng, who was blessed by nature and was promoted to Marshal Tianhe. He is just a native of Jambu Continent!
The two gods born in the Southern Continent are greedy for power, do not cultivate their original spirits, and it is difficult for them to find the right path.

But he will eventually become an elixir master!
Jiang Yuan sat cross-legged on the futon, feeling extremely grateful for the kindness of his ancestor...

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(End of this chapter)