Now Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Mahamayuri Bodhisattva had come to Thorn Ridge under the Buddha's decree. Hearing Ao Tu expound the Dharma, they recognized Guanyin Bodhisattva's lineage, yet on listening closely, they found differences.
The three Bodhisattvas transformed themselves and mingled among the little demons to listen to Ao Tu preach.
Ao Tu said, "Attain my path, know all dharmas, gain the Wisdom Eye, deliver all beings, gain skillful means, cross the sea of suffering, ascend the mountain of nirvana, enter the abode of nonaction, share the body of Dharma-nature, achieve perfection, and realize supreme Bodhi."
After listening for a while, the three Bodhisattvas looked at one another and said:
"This demon's path makes no great vows. He treats himself as all sentient beings to be delivered, cultivates the supreme Dharma, and claims that attaining realization will deliver all beings. What a grave fallacy!"
Manjushri Bodhisattva said, "Watch how I refute him!"
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva said, "Please, Bodhisattva."
Manjushri Bodhisattva stepped out, walked before the hall, and rebuked him:
"Demon, whence came these fallacies! Your cultivation is a path of deliverance for yourself alone. Without great vows, your path lacks the Bodhi mind, and your practice lacks the methods of Bodhi. So deeply mired in attachment to self, how can you speak of perfection?"
Ao Tu stopped preaching and looked down from the hall. He saw a little demon with scarlet hair, a red beard, and an indigo face speaking out against him.
The demons, Arhats, and Sangharamas in the hall roused themselves when Ao Tu stopped preaching. Seeing a demon disrupting the sermon, they shouted harsh rebukes and volunteered to suppress him.
Seeing this, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva said to Mahamayuri Bodhisattva:
"Manjushri Bodhisattva has little strength alone. Let me join him!"
Mahamayuri Bodhisattva said, "Please, Bodhisattva!"
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva also stepped