An Ill-Fated Fall into Pansi Cave (32)
When Wukong heard that it was Poison Pill, he was so frightened that he immediately spat Elixir Pills out, placed it in his palm, and examined it carefully. He saw that it had a fragrant aroma and a radiant glow, and it did not look like Poison Pill at all.
Wukong said, "Is this really Poison Pill? How come I can't tell?"
Ao Tu said, "If you could see through it, how could you have fooled Tathagata? Take this pill and say you stole it from me, Tathagata will not suspect you. Even if it is exposed later, just blame it on me, saying that I plotted against you, and it won't be your fault."
Upon hearing this, Wukong took the pill, his expression slightly changing, and asked, "Can this pill really poison that Great Monk?"
Ao Tu said, "Perhaps it is possible."
Wukong thought for a moment, then shook his head and returned the pill to Ao Tu, saying:
"If you were to truly fight with the Great Monk, I, Old Sun, could lend you a hand, at worst I'd be imprisoned for another five hundred years. But we can't do this. First, if word gets out, it will ruin my reputation; second, even if it doesn't get out, I'll feel ashamed."
Ao Tu laughed and said, "I had anticipated that the Great Sage would make this choice. As the ancients said, 'Those who share a sense of righteousness will not force their friends to do unjust things.' In fact, I had already decided that I would ask the Great Sage to rescue Heavenly King Li and then report the matter to the Tathagata."
Wukong said, "Weren't you going to wait four or five years? Are you ready? Why don't you wait a little longer?"
Ao Tu said, "Tang Sanzang has stayed for four or five years. Tathagata could the Buddha not know? If we wait Tathagata longer, and the Buddha descends and sees that the Great Sage knew about it but did not report it, he will surely punish him. I am unwilling to harm my friend for my own petty gain."
Having said that, Ao Tu turned around, put his hands behind his back, and said:
"Then please tell the Great Sage Tathagata person that I am challenging Buddhist Sect. If I lose, all is well; if I win, please ask the Tathagata Buddha to relinquish Spirit Mountain and go to reside in the Eastern Lands!"
Upon hearing this, Wukong stepped forward, stood beside Ao Tu, put his hands on his hips, and laughed:
"Dragon Brother, you're underestimating Old Sun! You're unwilling to harm your friends for petty gains, and Old Sun, won't harm my friends out of fear of mere punishment. You should convey these words yourself!"
Upon hearing this, Ao Tu laughed and said, "If the Great Sage doesn't go, those Kirtimukha Sangharama will soon be going too. And if the Buddha sees they aren't returning to report, he will surely send someone to investigate. So, Great Sage, you'd better hurry!"
Wukong was startled upon hearing this and said, "Why didn't you say so earlier!" He then quickly set off.
On the other side, at the Great Thunderclap Temple on Spirit Mountain.
Above the Precious Hall, the Tathagata Buddha sat high on Lotus Throne.
Kasyapa stepped forward and said, "World-Honored One, the Kirtimukha Sangharama of the monastery who protect Tang Sanzang do not take turns reporting for duty."
The Buddha nodded and said, "I understand. Send people to the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli to invite Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, to Vulture Peak to invite Dipankara Buddha, to the Heaven of Contentment to invite Maitreya Bodhisattva, to the South Sea to invite Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, to Mount Wutai to invite Manjushri Bodhisattva, and to Mount Emei to invite Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Invite all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and summon all the Arhats and Bhikkhus."
Kasyapa accepted the order and went to carry it out.
After some time, all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Bhikkhus were summoned and arrived at the scene.
The Tathagata Buddha said, "Mahākāśyapa, I wish to discuss the Dharma with all Buddhas, Bodhisattva, Arhat, Bhikkhu, and all sentient beings of the Western Heaven. You shall guard outside the hall; without my order, no unauthorized person shall be allowed to enter."
Kasyapa accepted the order and stood guard outside the temple.
After the Tathagata Buddha and the the Monks the Monks taken their seats, the Tathagata Buddha said:
"Just now, the King from the foot of the mountain sent many tributes and summoned you all to share them."
After he finished speaking, some monks brought in offerings, which included treasures, valuables, clothing, food, Flowers and Fruits, and fruits, and distributed them to the the Monks.
The Buddha is divided into two categories.
Bodhisattva are divided into two categories.
Arhat are divided into three classes.
There are four levels of Bhikkhu.
The rest of the population were divided into five classes, six classes, etc.
The Monks received the offerings and then presented poems praising the Buddha.
After the offering, the Mahamayuri Bodhisattva requested the Tathagata clarify the fundamental truth.
The Tathagata said, "I observe that the order of the Four Great Continents varies from place to place. In the East Victory Divine Continent, the heavenly order is orderly; in the Western Ox Continent, there is a hierarchy; in the Northern Utarakuru, names and distinctions are strictly enforced; but in the Southern Jambudvipa, chaos abounds, it is fragmented, brothers kill brothers, sons kill fathers, the order is lost, and there is no way to restrain them. A few days ago at the Dragon Flower Dragon Flower Assembly, the Old Mother Lishan invited me to reside in the Eastern Lands to preach to the masses and persuade people to respect and follow the Way. I said, 'Please discuss this with everyone.'"
Upon hearing this, the the Monks were all puzzled Tathagata what the Buddha meant.
The Dragon-Subduing Arhat said, "Hasn't Guanyin Bodhisattva already selected Pilgrim scriptures from my Journey to the West?"
Upon hearing this, the Tathagata Buddha looked at Guanyin Bodhisattva and said:
"Venerable Guanyin, I heard that when you returned from the Peach Banquet, you passed through the Eastern Lands and saw that the King Tang's lifespan was nearing its end. You performed a ritual to Longevity Extension his life. I wonder how the people of that Eastern Lands lands regard Buddhism?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva listened, bowed, and said:
"I happened to pass through the East and wished to extend the Tang Emperor's life by ten years. The people of the East are kind-hearted and reverent towards Buddhism, but alas, they cannot obtain the Dharma."
The Tathagata Buddha nodded and said, "This is excellent."
The Monks, upon hearing this, also did not understand the Dharma.
On the other side, under Ao Tu's instructions, Wukong first rescued Heavenly King Li.
Heavenly King Li was extremely grateful and hurriedly returned to Heaven to request reinforcements.
Wukong then Somersault Cloud Western Heaven and soon arrived at the Great Thunderclap Temple.
The temple was empty except for an old Bhikshu Monk Jieyin the visitors.
Upon seeing this, Wukong landed and asked, "Old monk, where are the people in the temple?"
The old Bhikshu Monk, "The Buddha summons us all to the main hall."
Upon hearing this, Wukong said, "Perfect timing, I have something to report to him."
The old Bhikshu Monk stepped aside and said, "Great Sage, please."
Wukong went inside and headed towards the hall, but was stopped by Kasyapa, who was guarding outside.
Wukong said, "I have important matters to report to the Buddha!"
Kasyapa said, "The Buddha has decreed that unauthorized persons are not allowed to enter!"
Upon hearing this, Wukong thought for a moment and then laughed, "Very well, since it is the Buddha's decree, I will wait outside."
Normally, Wukong would have just barged in, since only Kasyapa was guarding the place.
But Wukong wasn't in a hurry. After all, it was Buddha's decree, and Tang Sanzang wasn't in any danger, so waiting a few days wouldn't hurt. Later, if Buddha blamed him for wasting time, he could say it was Kasyapa who had stopped him, and it wouldn't be his fault.
On the other side, the Tathagata Buddha was preaching to the the Monks.
It refers to Buddhist Dharma practice, the salvation of sentient beings, and the path of Faith Incense Offerings.
When it comes to its wonders, blessings manifest and good fortune transforms into clouds.
Among the Monks, apart from the Tathagata Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva is the highest, with blessings rising Three Thousand high and good fortune spreading forty thousand miles.
The Tathagata Buddha said, "The path of Avalokiteshvara is beyond the Buddha 'Venerable Guanyin. Please, Bodhisattva, preach to the the Monks and guide them to enlightenment."
Guanyin Bodhisattva replied, "This disciple dares not presume. It was only because I happened to heal the King Tang that the people of Eastern Lands Eastern Lands all sought the Buddha's teachings. Moved by their devotion to Buddhist Dharma, this disciple transmitted the Dharma, which led to this blessing and good fortune."
Upon hearing this, the the Monks were filled with admiration and praised Guanyin Bodhisattva for her great compassion.
The Tathagata Buddha nodded and looked outside, asking, "Kasyapa, who is making such a commotion outside?"
Outside, Wukong was sleeping in a tree.
He had slept all day and hadn't made a sound.
Kasyapa replied, "Reporting to the World-Honored One, it is Sun Wukong is making a commotion outside. He says he has important business to discuss with me."
The Tathagata Buddha said, "Summon him in."