Viewing the Lanterns in Jinping Prefecture (VII)

Meanwhile, Ao Tu discussed the matter of the Buddhist Sect's Eastern Migration the east with the Tathagata Buddha.

The journey to the Eastern Land was too long and fraught with peril, making travel impossible.

Ananda was Ananda's secular name before he became a monk. He was originally a relative of Shakyamuni. After Shakyamuni Attaining Buddhahood the Buddha, he appointed Ananda as his Attendant Venerable and brought him to the Eastern Land, where he was translated as Venerable Ananda.

Ao Tu had some connection with him and often thought about him. He failed to Attainment of the Dao enlightenment several times because: firstly, his luck had not yet arrived; secondly, the general trend had not yet been established; thirdly, his Dao Principles was not yet complete; and fourthly, he often thought about Ananda.

The first three are all easy to discuss.

After Tang Sanzang and his disciples obtained the True Scriptures and Buddhism Eastern Migration, he occupied Spirit Mountain, followed the Great Dao, created the Good and Evil Realms, gained great Merit, spread the Great Sect, and restored all the gods to their positions, thus achieving perfection.

Only Ananda's whereabouts remain unknown.

Therefore, upon arriving at Spirit Mountain and seeing the face of Shakyamuni Buddha, I intended to inquire about him.

After listening to Ao Tu's words, the Tathagata Buddha pondered for a moment and said:

"The Buddhist Dharma of Ananda is incomplete, and I have fallen into the Reincarnation reincarnation. I do not know where I have been reborn, and I am afraid it will be difficult to find me in the short term. Is there any other way to overcome this calamity?"

Ao Tu said, "There is no other way."

Upon hearing this, the the Monks began to discuss among themselves.

The Tathagata Buddha sat in meditation for a moment and called out:

"Mahākāśyapa, bring some Immortal Fruit."

Kasyapa then went to the dining hall at the back, and after some time, he returned with a treasure basin containing countless celestial flowers and fruits.

There are the Vajra Fruit, the Wisdom Fruit, the Shakyamuni Fruit, the Tathagata Fruit, the Peacock Fruit, the Prajna Fruit, the Peacock Fruit, the Stream-enterer Fruit, the Wondrous Adornment Fruit, the Fruit of Asceticism, the Stream-enterer Fruit, the Fruit of Afflictions, the Fruit of Non-birth, the Fruit of Nirvana, the Fruit of Creation, the Fruit of Merit, the Jingshi Lotus Fruit...

The Tathagata Buddha then instructed Kasyapa to hold the offerings and Alu to distribute them to the assembly, with the best offerings naturally being presented to Ao Tu.

Ao Tu picked up a Jingshi Lotus Fruit and asked, "Venerable Buddha, how is this fruit eaten?"

The Tathagata Buddha smiled and said, "This is a lotus seed left by the Holy Buddha of the Western Heaven Jingshi. It grows into the Jingshi Buddha Lotus, and the lotus fruit produced can be eaten along with the flower."

Ao Tu picked up another Peacock fruit and asked, "Buddha, why is this fruit so brightly colored?"

The Tathagata Buddha smiled and said, "This was planted by the Mahamayuri Bodhisattva to subdue demons and evil spirits. It was planted beneath the Snow Mountain and endured the bitter cold, hence its vibrant color."

After everyone had enjoyed the Immortal Flowers and Exotic Fruits, the Tathagata Buddha invited Ao Tu to stroll in the Rear Garden to admire the scenery.

One could see Buddha Pagoda like a forest, magnificent Golden Hall, colorful phoenixes soaring and Red Phoenix phoenixes flying, and in an open space, a single white jade Buddha Pagoda radiating Holy Light.

Ao Tu asked, "I wonder which Buddha passed away here?"

The Tathagata Buddha smiled and said, "This is the place where the Holy Buddha of the Western Heaven Jingshi passed away. The Holy Buddha of the Jingshi was the teacher of the Mahamayuri Bodhisattva. In Ancient Times times, there was Great Calamity in the Western Heaven. In order to save the sentient beings of the Western Heaven, the Holy Buddha gave up his physical body and achieved great freedom and great light. Therefore, this pagoda was erected for future generations to admire."

Ao Tu said, "I see."

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Now that our religion Eastern Migration, the Western Heaven lands are entirely saved by the Celestial Worthy's Merit, which are immeasurable, just like those of the Holy Buddha!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "I dare not! I dare not! Venerable Buddha, you flatter me! This humble Daoist's Merit are shallow, and I dare not emulate the Holy Buddha!"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "When I went east, I left nothing behind, except for an old Kasaya, which I offer to the Celestial Worthy. I hope the Celestial Worthy Venerable will not refuse." After saying this, he called out, "Mahākāśyapa, bring me that great precious Kasaya."

Kasyapa then went to retrieve the Kasaya.

The Tathagata Buddha invited Ao Tu to sit in the pavilion for a while.

Two young Śrāmaṇera, innocent and adorable, served fragrant tea.

Ao Tu said, "I have sworn to abstain from tea, so I cannot drink it."

The Tathagata Buddha thought to himself, "Where can one abstain from tea? They must still be attached to Ananda's matter." Therefore, he said:

"Celestial Worthy, we, the Monks of the Western Heaven, have accumulated immeasurable good karma through generations of virtuous deeds. Although we will face many calamities upon our relocation to the Eastern Land, we believe that our good karma can offset them. Is this acceptable?"

Ao Tu shook his head and said, "Buddha, you must know that the Great Dao is ruthless!"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "I dare not conceal this from the Celestial Worthy, for I truly do not know where Ananda has been reincarnated."

Ao Tu remained silent.

A moment later, Kasyapa brought out the great treasure Kasaya, also known as the Ten-Buddha Kasaya, which was woven by ten Buddhas and passed down through generations; it is a Buddhist treasure.

Ao Tu said, "How dare I accept such a priceless treasure from the Buddha? Please take it back immediately!"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "This is not a treasure. It was passed down from an old monk of my Buddhist Sect. It was made from clothes chewed by cows, gnawed by rats, burned by fire, soiled by infants' vomit, stained with the blood of new mothers, used as temple banners, hung in the forest, discarded in cemeteries, abandoned in streets and alleys, and rotten and broken clothes. I am now giving it to the Celestial Worthy as a request for the Celestial Worthy to follow the the Path and to be steadfast and diligent in his Diligence."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Why not give it to Ananda?"

The Tathagata Buddha shook his head helplessly and said, "Celestial Worthy, I truly do not know of Ananda's reincarnation."

Ao Tu remained silent and did not accept the Kasaya.

The Tathagata Buddha dared not insist, and asked Ao Tu to stay in the Buddha Hall for the time being, and they would discuss it again the next day.

Ao Tu then settled down in the Buddha Hall.

In the evening, a banquet was held.

During the banquet, there were flower-scattering goddesses and Asura women accompanying the guests. Kinnara women were skilled dancers, and Gandharva women had flowing robes, beautiful voices, and exotic fragrances.

Ao Tu ignored him and only said "Ananda".

Helpless, the Tathagata Buddha summoned Wukong after the banquet and instructed him to go and persuade the Wukong.

Wukong turned and told Ao Tu what had happened.

Ao Tu laughed and sent Wukong back.

Two more hours passed.

At Zi Hour, someone knocked on the door.

Ao Tu opened the door; it was Kasyapa, holding the great precious Kasaya, and said, "By order of the World-Honored One, I will also present this Kasaya to the Celestial Worthy."

Ao Tu refused, saying, "Venerable Buddha, you are too kind; this humble Daoist priest truly dares not accept such courtesy."

Kasyapa smiled and placed the Kasaya on the incense stand beside him, saying, "Others may not know about the reincarnation of Ananda, but I do."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu invited Kasyapa to sit down and asked with a smile, "Did Shakyamuni teach you to come here?"

Kasyapa said, "No! No! It is because I see that the road to the Eastern Land is fraught with difficulties. The Celestial Worthy intentionally brought Ananda here to protect him on his journey eastward. This is a compassionate path to guide him to Right Fruit again. A few calamities are nothing. As long as his life is not in danger, I am willing to tell you his whereabouts."

Ao Tu thought for a moment and said, "Yes, there will be more calamities, but there will be no danger to his life. Tell me about his reincarnation."

Kasyapa remained silent.

Ao Tu asked, "Why don't you speak?"

Kasyapa said, "This is Ananda's merit, and it brings me no benefit. How can I tell you about it for nothing?"

Ao Tu couldn't help but say, "You want me to pay you off!"

Kasyapa said, "I dare not! I dare not! I know that the Celestial Worthy Venerable was born in response to the times and will one day rule the Western Heaven. He will have a position in the Three Realms, and Buddhas will respect him, Daoists will honor him, demons will look up to him, ghosts will look up to him, gods will value him, and humans will worship him; but I cannot speak without reason. I rely on the Celestial Worthy Venerable to grant me one or two favors, and I dare not be picky."

After listening, Ao Tu thought for a moment, then took out a Houtian Spiritual Treasure, a Mixed Gold Dharma Wheel, and gave it to Kasyapa.

Kasyapa accepted the treasure, tapped it with his fingers, producing Mixed Gold sound, and couldn't help but smile. He accepted the treasure, saying, "Thank you, Celestial Worthy Venerable, for bestowing this treasure! I am grateful! I am grateful!"

Ao Tu said, "No need for formalities, speak now."

Kasyapa said, "The Celestial Worthy does not know, but at the foot of Spirit Mountain, there is a place called Lingyun Ferry, where the water is wide and turbulent, with rushing torrents. There is only a thin, slippery wooden bridge, which is the main path up the mountain. There is a poem that says:"

From afar, it appears as a jade pillar suspended in the air; up close, it resembles a withered ravine cut off from the water.

Building a bridge across the river to the sea is easy enough, but how can a person tread on a single log or beam!

Rainbow stretches ten thousand feet high, its shadow lying flat; a white ribbon of silk stretches a thousand feet to the horizon.

Extremely smooth and difficult to cross; only Immortal could tread upon it amidst the colorful clouds.

Ao Tu asked, "Could it be that bridge?"

Kasyapa said, "Exactly! Exactly! Once Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrive, they will be able to attain Attaining Buddhahood in their Fleshly Body. They must cross that bridge, and no matter which one they cross, Ananda will have the merit of lifting them up, so they can return safely."