Xuanzang was completely confused, but Master Jiexian, who was nearly a hundred years old, told him that it was the Tibetans who surrounded Nalanda Temple who said it.
"Xuan Zang, you are from the Tang Dynasty, and I don't need to explain the relationship between Tubo and the Tang Dynasty. You should understand that it depends on you whether the Buddhist holy land of Nalanda Temple can be preserved." Master Jiexian said in an old voice. .
"Yes...disciple will do his best." Xuanzang announced the Buddha's name before speaking.
"Go." Master Jiexian waved his hand.
"Master Jiexian, if I can't prevent this disaster, what should I do?" Xuanzang said softly.
Master Jiexian did not answer Xuanzang's words, but just sat there silently and began to chant sutras.
Xuanzang paused for a moment, then turned and left.
After leaving Nalanda Temple, Xuanzang soon saw the Tibetan army surrounding the place. The other party took him directly to the King of Qin where Li Ke was located on the Ganges River in the north of Nalanda Temple.
Li Ke saw Xuanzang wearing a gray monk's robe on the King of Qin.
Xuanzang is about 1.8 meters tall. He is very strong. His appearance is quite consistent with the description of Tang Monk in Journey to the West. He is very handsome. It is normal for the female fairies to have thoughts about him.
"My minister Xuanzang has met His Highness the King of Qin." Xuanzang performed a Buddhist salute to Li Ke.
"Master, you're welcome." Li Ke smiled, "Please sit down." Li Ke pointed to the seat next to him and said.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Xuanzang saluted, pronounced the name of Buddha, and then sat down. Li Ke asked the maid to make Xuanzang a cup of tea.
"I heard that the master taught himself Tianzhu language in Nalanda Temple and was translating Buddhist classics?" Li Ke asked.
"Yes." Xuanzang nodded.
"How do you study?" Li Ke looked at him and asked.
"I have mastered the Tianzhu language and am translating the scriptures." Xuanzang said softly.
Li Ke looked at him. He was a top student. Li Ke was not sure about other aspects, but at least he had language talent.
Moreover, he was able to translate scriptures and write "Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty". He must be quite good in terms of knowledge and other aspects. What a talent! Speaking of which, there are still many talented people in these Buddhist temples in the Tang Dynasty. All Buddhist temples must be literate. In other words, these monks, apart from those who have just become monks, all other monks are considered scholars.
Although they read Buddhist scriptures, they were actually like normal historical books that these monks also had to read.
Li Ke was sure that Xuanzang must have read the Four Books and Five Classics.
"I heard that the reason why the master went to Tianzhu to seek Buddhist scriptures is because the Buddhist scriptures passed down to the Central Plains have different interpretations by various masters. So you want to come to Tianzhu, so you go west to seek Dharma to solve your confusion?" Li Ke asked with a smile.
To be honest, since he has traveled here, Li Ke is naturally interested in Xuanzang, but this kind of interest is more of the kind of interest that comes from meeting a historical figure. Li Ke admires what he has done. , But that’s it. As far as Li Ke is concerned, he does not make any evaluation of his achievements, because to him, these things are worthless.
"Yes." Xuanzang was silent for a moment. To be honest, he only knew about Li Ke. Xuanzang really didn't know some of Li Ke's deeds because he spent all his energy on seeking for things. On top of Buddhist scriptures.
"Master, I don't know if you have any idea of becoming an official. I can give you an official title on behalf of my father." Li Ke asked with a smile.
Xuanzang was stunned for a moment. Why did he feel that the conversation was heading to some unknown place? Although he may have some talents, Xuanzang did not feel that he was worthy of His Highness the King of Qin traveling thousands of miles away to recruit him.
"Your Highness, please atone for your sins. This poor monk has no ambitions. What's more, the poor monk has few talents and little knowledge. There are so many officials in the Tang Dynasty, and their abilities are far beyond that of the poor monk. So, thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness." Xuanzang said respectfully. .
"Oh? This is not a problem. The master can learn a language in such a short time. This proves that the master has extraordinary talent in this area. As the saying goes, my talents must be useful. The master must have some talents in the Tang Dynasty. The right place." Li Ke said with a smile.
Xuanzang: "..."
He was a little confused by Li Ke. He was no longer evasive just now. It should be said that he refused openly, but His Highness King Qin actually solicited him again... This... made him a little speechless, but he was indeed The ambition is not here.
"Your Highness, this poor monk really has no ambition, and the poor monk has never been exposed to such political affairs, so I am really sorry." Xuanzang rejected Li Ke head-on.
"It doesn't matter, let's chat. Since the master's ambition is not here, what is the master's ambition?" Li Ke looked at him with a smile and asked.
Religion has served politics since ancient times. If religion was of no use to politics, it would have been destroyed long ago. Even in the West, where divine power was greater than monarchy at a certain period, it was actually of some use to politics. Otherwise, some people would be opposed to it. But if you want religion to serve politics, its leaders must be convinced.
Xuanzang is not now, but when he returns to the Tang Dynasty from here, he will definitely be the leader of Buddhism.
Therefore, Li Ke naturally had to find a way to "persuade" him.
"The vast Buddha Dharma can save all sentient beings." Xuanzang said with a calm expression and a serious expression.
"If this is the case, then I think it is more important for the master to serve in the imperial court than to translate scriptures here." Li Ke said with a smile.
Xuanzang's expression was silent and serious: "If you can't understand Buddhism well, how can you talk about the vastness of Buddhism and the salvation of all sentient beings."
He didn't say anything extra, but the implication was that he felt what he was doing now was more important.
"Is that so? Then let me ask another question. Which one does the master think is more important, the vast Buddha Dharma or the salvation of all sentient beings?" Li Ke looked at him and asked.
"If the Dharma is not vast, how can we talk about universal salvation for all sentient beings?" Xuanzang looked at Li Ke.
"Oh, isn't the purpose of the vast Buddhist teachings to save all sentient beings?" Li Ke continued.
Xuanzang: "What His Highness said is true, so this poor monk is here to translate scriptures and strive to deepen himself in the Dharma, and then expand the Dharma to save all sentient beings."
"Oh, is that so? In that case, the master believes that the Buddhist scriptures in Nalanda Temple in Tianzhu are more profound than those in the Tang Dynasty, right?" Li Ke took a sip of tea.
"This is natural. Master Jiexian's Buddhist practice is extremely profound. I am afraid that the poor monk will not be able to compare with him in his whole life, so he only studies here." Xuanzang's treasure appearance is solemn.
Hey, Li Ke couldn't help but want to sigh. You said, I didn't want to find the weakness in your words, but you insisted on putting this loophole in my mouth. You said I couldn't help myself if I didn't complain. This How can I be embarrassed?
