What Scriptures?

Xuanzang stood alone, like a target with no sense of the danger he was in.

He had just finished listening to Guanyin.

Only one thought filled his mind-Absurd.

The true Mahayana scriptures were at the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Heaven. They could untie the knots of a hundred grievances and dispel undeserved calamities. And you Buddhas and Bodhisattvas could manifest yourselves!

The Buddha regarded all living beings as his children, yet the people of Jambudvipa suffered, coveted lust, delighted in calamity, and were given to killing and strife.

Since the Buddha possessed such scriptures and supreme divine powers, why did he not teach the Dharma himself? Why did he not send a Bodhisattva to deliver the scriptures?

Why insist that a mortal of flesh and blood trek a hundred and eight thousand li, endure the Eighty-One Tribulations, and go "beg" for them?

What kind of Buddha was that?

What kind of compassion was that?

The Buddha sat high upon Spirit Mountain, withholding scriptures he plainly possessed and insisting on setting the Eighty-One Tribulations so the Pilgrim would suffer all along the way.

Was that delivering people, or toying with them?

Was that compassion, or arrogance?

If that was what this world called a "Buddha"...

Then he was a false Buddha.

He, Xuanzang, would not kneel to a false Buddha.

In midair, Guanyin Bodhisattva said nothing more.

But Mucha, beside her, frowned and barked sternly:

"You, monk! As a disciple of our Buddhist faith, why do you not bow before the Bodhisattva's true form?!"

Xuanzang raised his head, his expression calm.

"Please take no offense, practitioner."

"This humble monk means no disrespect to the Bodhisattva."

Xuanzang lowered his eyes slightly, a trace of gravity in his voice. "Rather, this humble monk has a question that he hopes the Bodhisattva will answer."

Mucha snorted coldly. "What question?"

"The Bodhisattva just said that the true Mahayana scriptures can untie the knots of a hundred grievances, dispel undeserved calamities, and guide people toward goodness."

"This humble monk dares to ask one thing."

"If such wondrous Dharma exists, why does the Buddha not spread it?"

Mucha hesitated briefly. The anger between his brows had not faded, but the inexplicable force behind those words held him in check.

The words sent an uproar through the crowd.

Everyone raised their heads, their faces filled with shock.

This monk... actually dared to question the Bodhisattva?

Xuanzang seemed oblivious to the commotion around him and continued:

"The people of Jambudvipa suffer, and the Buddha regards all living beings as his children. Those were the Bodhisattva's own words."

"The Buddha's divine powers are boundless. Since he possesses true scriptures and wondrous Dharma, and sees all living beings as his children, why does he not send a Bodhisattva east to deliver the scriptures? Why does he not teach the Dharma and deliver people himself?"

"Why must someone trek a hundred and eight thousand li, through countless hardships and dangers, to 'beg' for the true scriptures?"

"Is it all because the Dharma must not be lightly imparted?"

"Must living beings suffer simply because they are ignorant?"

"If this humble monk fails to bring back the true scriptures, will Jambudvipa forever be without the true Dharma?"

"How can a Buddha sit upon a lotus throne and leave the world to suffer?"

Xuanzang's voice suddenly rose:

"Is that delivering people, or making sport of them?"

"Is that compassion, or arrogance?"

Deathly silence fell over the crowd.

Even the wind seemed to stop.

Deeply displeased, Mucha was about to punish this insolent monk.

But Guanyin Bodhisattva raised a hand and stopped him.

The Bodhisattva gazed intently at Xuanzang, her expression unreadable.

Guanyin spoke, her voice vast and calm, betraying neither joy nor anger as it resounded above Chang'an City:

"Then, in your opinion, what should the World-Honored One do?"

Xuanzang pressed his palms together, his expression solemn. "This humble monk is dull-witted and would not dare presume to judge the Buddha!"

"But this humble monk believes that true Buddhist Dharma should not be hidden atop Spirit Mountain, waiting for people to come begging."

"True compassion should not stand high above all living beings, looking down upon them."

"If this humble monk should one day comprehend the great Dharma, he will walk among the people of this world."

"Whoever he meets, he will teach. Wherever he finds suffering, he will offer deliverance."

"Even saving a single person would be better than sitting upon true scriptures and wondrous Dharma, unmoved."

At this point, Xuanzang bowed with his palms together and lowered his head.

"The Bodhisattva asked whether this humble monk was willing to undertake the Journey to the West. He is willing."

"But this humble monk will not go to the Western Heaven merely to 'beg' for scriptures."

"He will also meet the Buddha and ask him!"

"What scriptures does he impart, what Dharma does he bestow, and what kind of Buddha is he?"

Xuanzang lowered his head slightly and bowed his body. A gentle light radiated from him as he pressed his palms together and recited:

"When I behold living beings, every stirring of their hearts and thoughts is nothing but sin."

"Should they chance upon wholesome benefits, most retreat from their original resolve."

"Should they encounter evil circumstances, their evil grows with every thought."

"Such people are like those trudging through mud, bearing heavy stones. They grow ever more burdened and exhausted, their feet sinking ever deeper."

Xuanzang's voice was low, without any of the rhythm of his earlier chanting. Instead, he sounded like a traveler about to set out, quietly complaining of the difficult road.

"If they meet a wise guide who lightens their burden or carries it entirely, it is because that guide possesses great strength. He supports them further and urges them to keep their footing firm."

"Once they reach level ground, they must remember the treacherous path and never tread it again."

As those words fell, heaven and earth seemed to tremble.

After hearing Xuanzang's words, Guanyin sensed a vast power watching this place.

The Heavenly Dao.

Guanyin's heart tightened slightly.

The Buddhist and Daoist schools had already reached an agreement. She had thought she only needed to carry out this undertaking along its predetermined course.

She had never expected it to draw the Heavenly Dao's attention and give rise to such a turn of events.

Guanyin fell silent for a moment, unable to find a rebuttal.

Guanyin sighed softly.

"Xuanzang, your words have brought many old matters back to this humble nun's mind."

Her voice grew much gentler, losing some of a Bodhisattva's solemn authority and gaining something of an elder's wistfulness:

"You ask why the World-Honored One does not personally impart the wondrous Dharma of our Buddhist faith... the causes and consequences behind this cannot be explained in a few words."

"But you spoke of teaching whoever you meet and offering deliverance wherever you find suffering."

Guanyin looked at Xuanzang, a hint of approval in her eyes:

"You are indeed worthy of the name of holy monk!"

Guanyin continued:

"Since that is your resolve, go to the Western Heaven."

"Meet the World-Honored One and ask what you wish to ask."

"As for whether you can obtain an answer..."

The corners of Guanyin's lips lifted slightly:

"All appearances are illusory. If you see that all appearances are not appearances, then you see the Tathagata."

With a resolute gaze, Xuanzang pressed his palms together and bowed deeply:

"Thank you, Bodhisattva, for granting my wish."

This bow was sincere.

He was honoring not the Bodhisattva's divine powers, but the honesty in the words she had just spoken.

Guanyin nodded and waved her willow branch, scattering golden light.

The Brocade Kasaya rose of its own accord and draped itself over Xuanzang. The Nine-Ringed Monk's Staff fell into his hand.

"This kasaya and staff are my gifts to you."

"The Journey to the West is long, and demons fill the land. These two treasures can keep you safe."

Xuanzang accepted them and bowed again. "This humble monk thanks the Bodhisattva for these treasures."

Guanyin shook her head:

"There is no need to thank me."

"You said earlier that cultivation lies in the heart, without reliance on external things."

"That is true. But this, too, is an attachment. You are, after all, a mortal of flesh and blood. What must be used should still be used."

"If your heart does not cling, then you have let go."

Xuanzang nodded slightly. "This humble monk has learned from your teaching."

Just then.

Through an unseen connection, Xuanzang sensed that vast power descend upon him.

A warm current surged into his limbs and through every part of his body.

[The Heavenly Dao acknowledges: the lord of the tribulations has sworn an oath for all living beings, to deliver everyone in the world. Truly a holy monk.]

[Granted: "Nectar Buddha Wheel"]

[Primarily nourishes and purifies, but can also dispel malevolent energy; furthermore, it can awaken the roots of goodness in all living beings.]

Guanyin seemed to sense something as well. She glanced at Xuanzang, her gaze deep.

"Xuanzang, your journey to the Western Heaven spans a hundred and eight thousand li. You must undergo the Eighty-One Tribulations and pass through countless hardships and dangers."

"Do not be too unbending along the way, lest you fall into demonic delusion."

With that, the lotus throne beneath Guanyin rose. Auspicious clouds billowed, carrying her gradually away.

Xuanzang watched Guanyin leave until the auspicious clouds vanished beyond the horizon.

Amid the auspicious clouds.

Mucha spoke. "Bodhisattva, that Xuanzang is so arrogant! He actually dared to question the Buddha?"

Guanyin did not answer. She gazed into the distance.

Only after a long while did she slowly speak:

"What he said may not be entirely right."

"But neither is it necessarily entirely wrong."

Mucha froze. "Bodhisattva?"

Guanyin sighed:

"A great tribulation approaches... how could a mortal like him understand the tangled causes and consequences within it?"

Guanyin fell silent for a moment.

Mucha dared not speak again.

Guanyin continued:

"This Xuanzang is very different from the Pilgrim we anticipated."

"We must report this to the World-Honored One later. As for whether it is a blessing or a calamity... let us see how he conducts himself along the way."

The auspicious clouds quickened once more.