Time slipped by, the days flying like a shuttle through a loom.
In the blink of an eye, deep winter had arrived.
The west wind whipped hard; the northern snow bit cold.
The party pressed westward through the snow.
Along the way, aside from traveling, Xuanzang spent most of his time giving lessons.
"All phenomena are consciousness alone; the Three Realms are mind alone."
Xuanzang rode on A-Hu's back. His voice was calm and unhurried, flowing like a warm current through the snowstorm.
"When the mind arises, all manner of phenomena arise; when the mind ceases, all manner of phenomena cease. Without any mind, what use is there for any teaching?"
He was expounding the essential meaning of the Treatise on the Establishment of Consciousness-Only.
Wukong walked at the head of the party with the Golden Cudgel over his shoulder. Hearing Xuanzang's words, he kept walking, merely shifting the cudgel to his other shoulder before looking back with a grin.
"Master, Old Sun understands that. It means everything in heaven and earth, all demons and monsters, are transformations of consciousness. What Old Sun cultivated in his early years was the Spiritual Terrace within a square inch, the slanting moon and three stars-that same heart. I understand this principle as soon as I hear it. No need to explain further; it's already carved into my brain!"
Xuanzang nodded slightly, taking no offense at the interruption, and said mildly:
"Wukong, your understanding comes naturally. A single hint brings enlightenment; your roots of wisdom run deep. But knowing is easy, doing is hard. Though you understand 'mind alone,' you are often swayed by anger. In the days ahead, you must work harder on meditative concentration."
"Heh heh, understood, understood."
Wukong scratched his cheek and said no more, but went over the meaning of