第 12 回

Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, wanted to hold a large Buddhist ceremony to pray for the souls of those who died in the war.

He ordered officials to find a virtuous monk from across the country to preside over the ceremony.

Finally, a young monk named Chen Xuanzang was selected.

Xuanzang grew up in a temple from a young age, understands much about Buddhist teachings, and has excellent moral character.

Before the ceremony began, Xuanzang explained Buddhist scriptures to twelve hundred monks who came from various places at the Huasheng Temple outside Chang'an city.

Emperor Taizong of Tang also brought officials to the temple to burn incense, showing respect for Buddhist teachings.

At this time, the Bodhisattva Guanyin in the Western Paradise learned about Emperor Taizong of Tang's Buddhist ceremony.

She remembered that she had previously entrusted an infant (who later became Xuanzang) to the monks of Jinshan Temple to raise.

Now this child has grown up and become the presider of the ceremony.

Therefore, the Bodhisattva, following the command of the Tathagata Buddha, took her disciple Huian Xingzhe and transformed into two wandering monks wearing tattered clothes, arriving in Chang'an city.

They held in their hands the brocade cassock and nine-ringed staff given by Tathagata, both of which are good treasures of Buddhism.

The bodhisattvas walked outside the Donghua Gate of the imperial palace and happened to meet Prime Minister Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu saw the cassock in their hands shining with light, knowing it was not an ordinary thing, so he stepped forward and asked if the cassock was for sale.

The bodhisattva said: "My cassock and staff are not for sale for money."

If I meet a good monk with virtue and sincere faith in Buddhism, I am willing to give it to him for free.

Xiao Yu was very happy to hear this and immediately thought that the Xuanzang Master invited by the emperor was exactly such a good monk.

He thought, if I give this treasure to Xuanzang and let him wear it to preside over the Dharma assembly, that would be great.

Therefore, Xiao Yu took the two monks to see Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Emperor Taizong of Tang saw the cassock and staff, which indeed were good treasures that could emit light, and wanted to buy them with money to give to Xuanzang.

But the bodhisattva insisted on not taking money and directly gave the two treasures away.

Xuanzang put on the brocade cassock, holding the nine-ringed staff, and immediately appeared very solemn and dignified.

On the day when the Land and Water Dharma Assembly was officially held, Xuanzang ascended the Dharma altar and explained Buddhism to everyone at Xiangguo Temple.

Just as he was speaking earnestly, two monks in the crowd loudly shouted: "That Dharma master."

"What you are explaining is only the Hinayana Buddhism, which cannot help the dead attain liberation."

"Can you explain the Mahayana Buddhism?"

The soldiers maintaining order saw someone disrupting the Dharma assembly and immediately stepped forward to arrest these two monks, sending them before Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Taizong asked them why they were making noise.

The monk transformed by the Bodhisattva calmly replied: "Your Majesty, what that Dharma master explained is indeed only the Hinayana Buddhism, which cannot help the deceased escape suffering."

"My Buddha Tathagata has the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism there, which can help the souls of the deceased ascend to heaven, save people in suffering, cultivate an indestructible body, and understand the most wonderful truths."

Taizong listened with great interest and hurriedly asked: "Where is the Mahayana Buddhism you mentioned now?"

The Bodhisattva replied: At the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Heaven's Tianzhu Kingdom, at the place of my Buddha Tathagata.

After saying this, the Bodhisattva and Hui'an the Traveler revealed their true forms, auspicious clouds rose beneath their feet, and they slowly flew up into the sky.

Only then did everyone present realize that Guanyin Bodhisattva had appeared, and they all burned incense and knelt in worship, feeling very excited.

After the Bodhisattva left, Emperor Taizong of Tang understood that the current Dharma assembly was not yet complete.

He ordered the assembly to be suspended and said to his ministers: We must send someone to the Western Heaven to retrieve the Mahayana true scriptures, in order to truly help everyone.

At this moment, Master Xuanzang stepped forward himself, he bowed to Taizong and said firmly: Although I do not have great abilities, I am willing to go to the Western Heaven for Your Majesty to seek the true scriptures.

Emperor Taizong of Tang was very happy upon hearing this, he stepped down from his seat, tightly held Xuanzang's hand, and on the spot swore brotherhood with him.

Taizong believed that Xuanzang was going this time to seek the Tripitaka true scriptures, so he specially bestowed upon him the title of Tripitaka Master.

Taizong personally selected an auspicious day, prepared things like the travel document and purple-gold alms bowl for Tang Monk, and also dispatched two reliable attendants.

On the day of departure, Taizong brought the civil and military officials, and escorted Tang Monk all the way to outside Chang'an city.

The two bid farewell with tears in their eyes, and Tang Seng took his followers, mounted his horse, and embarked on the long road westward to fetch the scriptures.