Buddha Saves the Emperor Tang, Water and Land Dharma Assembly

Emperor Tang Li Shimin had been plagued by nightmares lately, leaving him listless and drained.

The imperial physicians found no cure, so many Daoist priests were summoned to perform rites and drive away evil.

Yet when night fell and the rites began, the Daoist priests caught sight of the vicious dragon soul. Terrified out of their wits, they fled in panic, losing control of their bowels and bladders. Some died of fright, while others fainted dead away.

Little did they know that all of this had been plotted by Spirit Mountain of the Western Lands.

Great Tang possessed the Luck Golden Dragon, and the Emperor Tang himself was protected by a Golden Dragon. How could evil spirits and malignant souls possibly enter the imperial palace and approach him?

It was South Sea Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had been hiding in the shadows and overseeing the eastward spread of Buddhism, who cast a spell to isolate and restrain the Luck Golden Dragon, giving that dragon soul its chance.

As time passed, the Emperor Tang grew increasingly frail. In the end, he could not even leave his bed. Several months later, he finally passed away, his soul leaving his body and returning to the Netherworld.

When the Emperor Tang's soul arrived in the Netherworld, he saw dim, chilly surroundings and Nether Souls darting about everywhere. Shivering, he was led by two Ghost Messengers to King Yama's Palace.

King Yama also wished to claim a share of the Merit from Journey to the West, so he cooperated fully with Spirit Mountain of the Western Lands. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had long ago discussed the matter with him; he only needed to act according to the plan.

Since Emperor Tang Li Shimin's allotted lifespan had not ended and he had merely been frightened to death, his soul