Fahai could not help but think about the past. He had actually promised many people along the way that after completing the Buddhist scripture study, he would visit their homes when he returned to the Tang Dynasty.
Now that I think about it, this promise was a bit hasty.
But it all depends on man.
Fahai also believed that his master and apprentice would be able to retire successfully.
Jiuling Yuansheng brought Taiyi's goodwill to save the suffering. Although this was beyond Fahai's expectation, it was still a good thing. Moreover, Taiyi's saving suffering was more effective in the human world. There has always been a great sage and great mercy. With great compassion and great wishes, I seek to express my feelings and have a reputation of rescuing those who are in distress.
Among the six emperors in heaven, this one is the one who pays the most attention to the sufferings of the human world and is also the most kind, so he frequently appears in the human world. He also incarnates as the God of Suffering in the Ten Directions. He vows to save all sentient beings, save humans and ghosts, and save all living beings.
When Wukong was making trouble in the underworld, this person might have been hiding and watching.
In addition to searching for help in the human world and rescuing dead souls in the underworld... this Heavenly Lord also has the authority to assess the immortals in the heaven, which can be said to be a high-ranking position. After the Buddhist scripture study is completed, Fahai will definitely pay a visit.
After the three disciples were able to practice independently, and Yuhua Prefecture and the Alliance of Seven Mountains were on the right track, their affairs in Yuhua Prefecture could be considered to have come to an end for the time being.
However, because it coincided with the Spring Festival of the first lunar month, Master Sanzang specially performed several blessing rituals, and because of his promise when entering the city, he dedicated several days of Buddhist teachings in various places in the city. After the seventh day of the lunar month, Fahai said goodbye to King Yuhua. The master and disciples left Yuhua Prefecture and continued to the West Tianling Mountain.
...
The five masters and apprentices left Yuhua City on a smooth journey, truly the so-called land of bliss.
Perhaps because he was in Yuhua City before, Bajie held back his words. Now that he was far away from Yuhua City, Bajie asked, "It's strange to say that this Yuhua King is so wise and wise. The people are living and working in peace and contentment, but why are the temples in Yuhua City not as prosperous as other states and counties?"
Of course, this is not very prosperous, just relatively speaking.
After listening to Bajie's words, the Great Sage said casually: "I'm afraid it's because the people in Yuhua City are rich and have always been stable that this scene is like this... How can ordinary people have such high demands? ? Such a life is happy enough for them... Even looking at the three realms, there are few places as healthy as Yuhua Prefecture. "
"In this case, what else do the people ask for?" The Great Sage said with a smile: "The people have nothing to ask for, and their hearts do not need to be entrusted to the gods and Buddhas who sit high in the temple and are enshrined. Then the incense of the temple will naturally be slightly less."
After listening to the words of his senior brother, Bajie nodded repeatedly and agreed: "That's right, when sentient beings in the three realms pray to gods and Buddhas, they originally just prayed for a life of peace and good weather. Now in Yuhua Prefecture, there is basically no shortage of these two things... .Even the goblins who were neighbors have now formed an alliance.”
At this point, Bajie actually had another question in his mind, but he was too timid to speak out.
But all in all, what their master and apprentice saw in Yuhua Prefecture can be said to have swept away the gloom that had followed since their master and apprentice entered Xizhou, and finally saw some light.
The Great Sage also realized that, as the Master said, the problem was not with Buddhism, but with those evil monks who used the name of Buddhism to pursue their own interests and deceive the people.
That said, it matters who is in control of the Dharma.
In other words, the good and evil deeds of those who hold the sutras truly determine the final direction of Buddhism.
The Great Sage has reflected on himself countless times. What would it have been like if he had been trapped behind the Five Elements Mountain and had not met his master?
Listening to Bajie's unstoppable chattering in his ears; watching Wu Jing writing and drawing from time to time... and the little white dragon who has traveled nearly twice as far as himself and others, and holding a nine-ring tin staff, determined to The master who went to Lingshan to find out what was going on... the great sage became increasingly reluctant to part with him.
He even selfishly hopes that this westward journey will never end. Even if Bajie keeps provoking him with "Bima Wen" and "Suffering Monkey", he will not be angry; he wants to compete with Wu Jing to see who is stronger. Big, those who lose must win back next time; let the little white dragon, who has been defeated many times and never gives up, win him once...
I hope to hear Master calling me "Wukong" every day.
And Lingshan is right in front of you.
The Great Sage has lived for more than a thousand years, and is used to seeing things come to an end, so he has no choice but to leave and cherish them.
Not a few days after leaving, there was another city in front of him. After Xiao Bailong entered Tianzhu, he always followed his master. He only went to explore the place where these people gathered unless he encountered dangerous mountains and dangerous waters. , always the master and apprentice enter together.
"This city is strange. There are no flags on the top of the city. From a distance, I really don't know where it is." The Great Sage withdrew his gaze and said to the master: "Master, let's find out what's going on when we get closer."
"good."
The master and the disciples rushed all the way to the city. When they arrived at the Guandongxiang outside the city, they saw the tea houses and wine shops on both sides were noisy, and the rice market and oil shops were busy.
There were people outside Yuhua Prefecture waiting for Master Sanzang and his party to greet him. Jinping Mansion was actually not much different, and the two places were not far apart. In addition, the three sons of King Yuhua were worshiped by Master Sanzang. The three disciples became teachers, and later they openly formed an alliance with the Seven Mountain Lion King... This matter had already been spread.
After all, Fahai stayed in Yuhua Prefecture for a few more days, which was enough for these things to reach Jinping Mansion.
When the knights and prodigals in the street saw the appearance of the master and disciples, they shouted anxiously: "Master Tripitaka is here!"
"Master Tripitaka is here!"
This attracted everyone to look at them. They had long heard that Master Sanzang and Xiao Bailong were handsome, while the other three disciples were very ugly. Now they saw it was true.
The great sage with a hairy face and a thunderous mouth, Bajie with a long nose and big ears, and Wujing with a black face and a Rakshasa... can be regarded as opening their eyes.
Master Tripitaka and his entourage were broadcasting their good name, and they were not afraid when they saw it. Moreover, Jinping Mansion was a place dedicated to the Buddha, and they also respected Tripitaka master and disciples who came from the east. Everyone just watched and said hello to each other. Everyone was crowded and vying for a look, but there was no direct crowding like when they were outside Yuhua Prefecture.
The journey was smooth and we passed through several alleys. However, before we reached the city gate, we saw an old monk waiting to greet us.
"Amitabha." The old monk took a step forward and said, "Master, please proceed slowly. Lao Nate is here to greet you."
"Amitabha." Fa Hai also stepped forward to pay homage.
The two of them exchanged Buddhist names, which was considered acquaintance.
There was a monk waiting here specifically, so there must be a place to stay and rest in the Buddhist temple. Fahai and others did not refuse and followed the old monk.
Outside the city gate, you can see a mountain gate with the words Ciyun Temple on the gate.
And this old monk, the abbot of Ciyun Temple, heard that Master Tripitaka was coming, so he waited here specifically to let Master Tripitaka enter the temple.
Entering the temple, I saw the magnificent Zhenlou and the majestic throne. Outside the Buddhist pavilion, the monk's room is quiet in the middle of the moon... Pilgrims are coming and going, the Buddha bell is buzzing, and the sound of monks reciting scriptures is always in my ears.
The old monk invited Master Tripitaka and his entourage into the main hall. After walking a few steps, he said, "Master is really a Chinese figure."
Then he bowed to Master Tripitaka.
Fahai didn't know why, so he supported the old monk and asked hurriedly: "Why did the master of the courtyard perform this great ceremony?"
Several disciples also felt strange, and the Great Sage even asked: "Is it because you have some grievance here and want my master to make the decision for you?"
However, the words of the Great Sage also shocked the old monk, and he quickly explained: "You all don't know, my place is different from other places. People who are good-hearted, read sutras and recite Buddha, all hope to be reborn in China. Now I see the Master The rich clothes and hats are indeed cultivated in the previous life, so that they can be used in this way, so I bow to you now...there is no injustice."
When the Great Sage heard this, he immediately felt happy... If you want to say so, that's right.
My master's previous life was Jin Chanzi, and Jin Chanzi was the second disciple of Buddha... Even the reincarnation of Buddha's second disciple went to the Tang Dynasty. This shows that China is indeed... Huh?
The Great Sage was thinking about it when he was suddenly startled and said to himself: "Since the monks are thinking of going to China to be reborn, why do they still ask Master to come to this spiritual mountain to obtain scriptures?"
Although Fa Hai felt a little stirred in his heart after hearing this, he didn't think there was anything wrong. Isn't it a natural thing to want to resurrect China?
In his opinion, the Central Plains China is where the human race's orthodoxy lies.
It's just that the Buddhist realm of Xizhou has been separated from the Central Plains for a long time, so contact has gradually been cut off.
But at this moment he still said a few words modestly, "Amitabha, a poor monk walking around is of no use to an ordinary monk?"
As he said this, he also complimented the old monk: "It seems that the master of the courtyard can relax and take care of himself here, which is a blessing."
While he was talking, the old monk had already led Master Sanzang into the main hall. The master and his disciples worshiped the Buddha statue as usual... Wukong saw that the master's expression was not right and wanted to ask, but saw that the master had already restrained himself. He remained calm and did not mention it for the time being.
Secretly, he used his fiery eyes to see what was wrong with the temple.
"I have heard the names of several masters and elders in my temple for a long time. I wonder if the monks in the temple can come and meet them?"
After taking his seat, the old monk asked Master Tripitaka.
"You have nothing to do." Fahai nodded directly and said, "If there are still monks who want to discuss Buddhism with the poor monks, that would be better."
"Amitabha." The old monk waved his hand quickly: "Since the Master entered Tianzhu, he has won many battles along the way... This temple is willing to be the underdog and does not dare to ask for trouble when discussing Buddhism. However, there are indeed some issues in the Buddhist scriptures that I want to think about. I need to ask a mage to clarify my doubts...please feel free to give me some pointers then."
"The master of the temple is serious." Fahai saw that the master of this temple had no desire to win, so he naturally would not force it. He was not only good at arguing with others about Buddhism, but also knew how to communicate in a friendly manner.
As soon as the monks entered the main hall, they all greeted Master Tripitaka and then sat down on the ground.
Only then did Fa Hai want to ask the old master for advice: "I was in such a hurry that I forgot to ask where your place is?"
The old monk said: "I am here in a foreign county in Tianzhu, and this is also the Jinping Prefecture."
Bajie asked casually: "Master, how far is this noble residence from Lingshan Mountain?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at the old monk. The old monk thought for a moment and then said: "This Jinping Mansion is two thousand miles away from the capital. Because I have walked through it, I know... But Going west to Lingshan Mountain, the monks in my temple have not walked through it, so I really don’t know how far there is, so I dare not lie.”
After everyone said a few more words, the meal was already served.
After finishing the fast food, the monks in the temple lamented Bajie's huge amount of food and said, "Fortunately, we prepared more, but even so, it is almost not enough."
Bajie listened and said in his heart: What do you know? My old pig just said that he had eaten. Do you think he said he was full? Not to mention eating until you can't eat anymore...
But Master said that eating only 70% of the rice is enough, and this time it was enough... If there were more, Bajie would have no choice but to share it in the spirit of not wasting it.
"Master, please stay in this temple for a few days." The old monk bowed to Master Sanzang again and said with a smile: "Firstly, we can ask Master for Buddhist teachings; secondly... It will be the Lantern Festival soon, Master and several Elders, you might as well go to Fucheng and have a look."
"Oh?" Fahai asked with a smile: "When I entered the city, I saw lanterns and colorful decorations. So your place also celebrates the Lantern Festival? The poor monk also said that this custom is only found in the Tang Dynasty."
"Amitabha." The old monk recited the Buddha's name. "This is a custom passed down from ancient times. Every year during the Lantern Festival, lanterns and colorful lights are decorated everywhere, and shengxiao are played all night long...it still remains today."
"Today is the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, so I will try out the lanterns in the evening. The day after tomorrow will be the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, and it will not be until the eighteenth or ninth day that I turn off the lights... It is also a good thing for people here. The prefect of this mansion loves the people, and lights are displayed everywhere. There is also a Golden Lantern Bridge... Later in the evening, Master and some of his disciples might as well follow Lao Na to the city to have a look and see the peaceful and prosperous days of Jinping Mansion."
Is there peace in Jinping Mansion?
If this seems to be the case, it is naturally peaceful, and the happiness of the people here seems to be almost the same as that of Yuhua Prefecture.
But now in the wing room, Bajie said: "Master, I think this Jinping Mansion is not that peaceful."
"Oh?" Fahai asked Bajie with a smile: "Where do these words come from?"
"Disciple just said casually... When I was in Yuhua Prefecture, the incense in the Buddhist temple was not as prosperous as here... Brother Monkey said that if the people are living well, they will naturally stop coming to worship Buddha. , but here..." Bajie paused, then scratched his head: "Disciple can't tell the truth, but I always feel that something is not right."
"It's just that the government in Yuhua Prefecture is well-controlled and people-friendly. Even if there are no immortal Buddhas to protect them, the weather is still smooth and the people are prosperous." The Great Sage continued Bajie's words and said: "And here, the people should come to pray, so that the immortal Buddhas can protect you. If One day, if the worship is stopped... I’m afraid it won’t be as grand as it is now.”
"You idiot." The Great Sage glared at Bajie when he said this, "You know clearly in your heart, but you are soft-spoken."
Bajie smiled naively: "Isn't this why we old pigs are not as capable as you, Brother Monkey..."
In the past, when he was outside Tianzhu, Bajie would still be outspoken from time to time, but now that he is in Tianzhu... he seems to be a little more well-behaved and very sensible.
This sentence directly coaxed the great sage to lose his temper. The great sage said to the master: "Master, when I looked at it with my Dharma eyes, I saw that the golden body of the Buddha in this temple seemed to be dirty... very strange."
