Praying for Rain in Fengxian County (12)

Meanwhile, the two Arhat Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and tigers received the Buddha's decree and ascended to the Lingxiao to request an Jade Emperor.

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor asked, "What is it?"

The two Arhat Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and tiger explained the reason and pleaded with the Jade Emperor Tathagata behalf of Jade Emperor.

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor, seeing that the two were pleading for him on behalf of Tathagata Buddha Buddha's decree, could not refuse them. So he summoned Heavenly King Li to the palace and inquired about the punishment of Alu.

When Heavenly King Li entered the Precious Hall, he saw the two Arhat, Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and tiger, pleading for mercy. This further confirmed that what Taixi had said was true; that Alu was indeed a disciple of Buddha. Therefore, Li Tianwang also spoke some good words for Alu.

He dared not deceive the Jade Emperor, so he did not mention the Taoist Baoshan, but only said that Alu had already revered Heaven and dared not offend again.

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor nodded and issued an edict pardoning Alu's crime.

The two Arhat Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and tiger then followed Heavenly King Li down to the Lower Realm.

Heavenly King Li arrived in Fengxian County and read out the imperial edict, ordering the Mountain God to move Sweet Rain Mountain.

Unexpectedly, the mountain gained Merit and became imbued with spirituality, making it impossible for the Mountain God to move.

When Taoist Baoshan saw it, he accepted the mountain, intending to refine it into a Merit Numinous Treasures to show the Monkey.

After the mountain was removed, the two Arhat, Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and tigers, descended with Celebration Cloud stretching for three hundred miles, covering the sky and leading Alu to the sacred Buddhist land of Spirit Mountain to receive his title.

Upon witnessing this scene, all the people of Fengxian County rejoiced and went forward to worship Buddha.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples were also very happy.

Alu first bowed to the heavens to thank his master, then received the Buddha's decree and intended to follow the two Arhat.

The Taoist Baoshan stopped him and bestowed upon him two treasures.

One of them was an Ancient Buddha Kasaya, divided into seven vertical stripes, each strip consisting of three sections, two large and one small, for a total of twenty-one sections. It was patched in vermilion, and the collar originally had twelve gold threads, which were twelve Golden Flood Dragon. However Ao Tu released them, and now only the Kasaya remains.

Wearing it will bring you Merit and protection, and you will be immune to all evil influences.

The other item is a White Jade Bowl, which can be used to hold or release water.

Alu said, "I dare not accept such a generous gift from my martial uncle!"

Taoist Baoshan smiled and said, "This was given to you by your master. He wanted to avoid suspicion, so he couldn't show himself."

Upon hearing that it was a gift from his master, Alu accepted the treasure and bowed in gratitude once more.

The Taoist Baoshan headed east.

The two Arhats, Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming Arhat, urged, "Alu, quickly ascend the Auspicious Clouds and come with us to Spirit Mountain to receive your investiture."

Alu agreed and was about to go up.

Bajie said to Wukong, "Brother! Let's go too!"

Wukong said, "Fool, they're receiving an official title, why are you going?"

Bajie said, "The Buddha's bestowal of rewards must include a fine Buddhist vegetarian meal. We've been running around and busy doing this, shouldn't we go and get a free meal?"

Wukong said, "You idiot! All you think about Buddhist vegetarian meal! It's all Old Sun, doing the legwork, what have you been busy with?"

Bajie said, "Although I haven't moved around, I've still worried, haven't I? As the saying goes, 'A monk without food can hardly recite scriptures.'"

Alu laughed and said, "Elders, when I return after receiving the Buddha's blessing, I will bring you fragrant rice from Spirit Mountain!"

Bajie exclaimed happily, "Then you'd better bring a few more pounds! I, Pig Food; if I bring too little, the four monks won't be able to share it evenly!"

Alu laughed and said, "Of course! Of course!"

When the people of Fengxian County saw that Alu was about to leave, they all gathered around and paid their respects.

Because there was no prior preparation and no good offerings, they could only kneel and bow to express their Alu's years of rainfall.

The old County Governor asked, "When will the Dharma Master return?"

Alu said, "I'll definitely be back in three days to half a month."

Some villagers asked, "Now that the Dharma Master has gone to Spirit Mountain, is it possible for him to alleviate the drought here?"

Alu said, "Buddha is merciful; let me speak to him, and the matter will surely be resolved."

The people were overjoyed and bid farewell to Alu as he departed.

Alu followed the two Arhats, Subduing the Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and Arhat, riding on Auspicious Clouds, all the way to Spirit Mountain.

Arriving at Spirit Mountain, after entering the Mountain Gate, one sees the Thunderclap Buddhist monastery.

Its crown touches the heavens, its roots connect to the veins of Mount Sumeru Heavenly Firmament.

Cleverly arranged peaks and strangely shaped rocks.

Yao Grass Jade Flowers, Purple Zhi and Fragrant Hui.

Inside, there was a precious tree with broad, beautiful leaves.

A glimmer of inspiration, a hint of Wisdom.

Now that the soil has been dug up, the roots are exposed, with nothing to rely on, either in front or behind, or to the left or right.

Moving forward, one finds a path paved with white jade, with several large pillars standing solemnly like Vajras statues in the walls.

Looking up, the golden tiles are stacked like mandarin ducks, and the bright, colorful bricks are like agate.

In the Palace of the Heavenly King, there are thousands of Golden Light lights and red neon lights.

The Guardian Hall Auspicious Qi purple mist, with thousands of auspicious rays emanating from it.

Among the cypress groves to the east and west, pairs of Azure Luan and Colored Phoenix roam.

In the pine forest to the the South and north, Immortal Ape pick fruits and White Crane perch in the pines.

The Jewel Tower is deep blue, crafted from glass; its bright light shines, adorned with white jade.

Inside the Precious Hall, the light shone brightly, piled high with gold; the glow of the sunset lingered, and clusters of agate adorned the walls.

But upon hearing the sound of golden bells and drums, the two Arhat Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and tigers ascended the Precious Hall and left, leaving Alu to wait outside.

Alu dared not move and stood respectfully outside the hall.

Inside the Precious Hall, the two Arhat, Dragon-Subduing and Tiger-Taming and tigers, said, "World-Honored One, we have received the Buddha's decree and brought the person here."

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Summon him in."

Vajras then summoned Alu in.

Alu stepped into the main hall, bowed and paid homage to the Buddha, and said:

"Disciple Alu pays homage to Shakyamuni Buddha!"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Alu, you have brought forth abundant rain, your Merit is immense. I hereby bestow upon you the Rainfall Arhat."

Upon hearing this, Alu immediately bowed in gratitude and accepted the gift.

At this moment, someone attains the Arhatship and receives heavenly merit.

The Tathagata Buddha asked the assembly, "Are there any vacancies in various places on Spirit Mountain?"

Manjushri Bodhisattva said, "Reporting to the World-Honored One, there happens to be a vacancy."

The Tathagata Buddha asked, "Where is there a deficiency?"

Manjushri Bodhisattva said, "The Scripture Pavilion is unattended."

The Tathagata Buddha nodded and asked, "Rainfall Arhat, would you be willing to take over the management of the Scripture Pavilion?"

Alu said, "I am willing to obey the World-Honored One's will."

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Therefore, the Rainfall Arhat appointed as Attendant Venerable, assisting Kasyapa and managing the Scripture Pavilion."

Alu said, "This disciple obeys the decree."

The Tathagata instructed that a vegetarian meal be prepared.

Alu said, "World-Honored One, I have another request."

The Tathagata Buddha asked, "What is it?"

Alu said, "Fengxian County has angered Heaven and is forbidden to send rain. Now that I have become Arhat, may I ask Heaven to pardon the punishment?"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "No. Now that you have entered Spirit Mountain, you must not go down the mountain again and cause trouble."

Then the Tathagata people to prepare vegetarian meals.

On the other side, after Alu was taken to Spirit Mountain by Auspicious Clouds, the people of Fengxian County celebrated and held banquets. Tang Sanzang and his disciples also benefited from the celebration, with one banquet followed by another.

After feasting for more than Half a Month, Tang Sanzang finally took his leave.

Bajie said, "Master, don't rush off! Stay a few more days, the fragrant rice that Alu promised hasn't arrived yet!"

Tang Sanzang said, "You fool! You're only thinking about fragrant rice; how can you remember the great mission of Journey to the West scriptures? We monks shouldn't be attached to external things. How can we delay any longer?"

Upon hearing this, Bajie lowered his head and muttered a few words, "It won't make a difference if it's just a few more days." But when he saw Tang Sanzang looking at him, he quickly stopped talking.

Tang Sanzang then instructed Sha Wujing to pack his luggage and prepare to leave.

When the old County Governor heard that Tang Sanzang and his disciples were leaving, he led his men to come.

Tang Sanzang said, "My County Marquis, there's no need to detain me. I've stayed here for quite some time now, and it's truly time for me to go!"

The old County Governor looked somewhat worried and said:

"Elder, it's not that I want to force you to stay, it's just that the water in the prefecture is almost dried up!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was startled and inexplicably felt uneasy.