The Monkey King

Jinshan Temple has never changed since Jiang Liu was a child.

High mountains, small temples, a dozen brothers, three or two elders, the same bells ring every morning, day after day, year after year.

The wind and rain outside have never seemed to have anything to do with this ancient temple.

The believers seem to have always been a few families at the foot of the mountain. Occasionally, a benefactor who comes from afar to worship the Buddha will make the abbot Master Faming happy for a long time.

But every time the excitement passes, Faming can't help but feel worried.

"The Bodhi tree has no tree, and the mirror is not a stand. There is nothing in the first place, so how can it cause dust." For a long time, Fa Ming would keep repeating this sentence.

Jiang Liu knew that Fa Ming was blaming himself for being happy.

Buddhists believe that there is no existence and no self, and being overjoyed for a donor coming from afar to worship the Buddha is a sign of insufficient spiritual practice.

"Why is happiness also a sign of insufficient spiritual practice?"

Jiang Liu couldn't help but think.

Growing up in Jinshan Temple, he was familiar with almost all Buddhist scriptures. All his brothers, abbot and several elders praised him for having Buddha bones. Unfortunately, Jiang Liu never paid attention to it.

The answers to the questions were clearly written in the scriptures. For some reason, Jiang Luming knew the correct result, but he still felt that the Buddhist scriptures were like huge rocks pressing on his chest, making him unable to breathe.

Fortunately, the innocence of a child always makes him forget the troubles that are inappropriate for his age.

He never worshiped Buddha or chanted sutras. He played with the children in the village and took out bird eggs every day. A life of teasing crickets. But whenever Fa Ming couldn't stand it and wanted to accuse him, he always responded eloquently, and even Fa Ming was speechless.

Whenever this happens, Fa Ming always smiles bitterly and says: "You are better than the master, you are worse than the master. I am defending the law for my teacher, but I am not as good as you. I only hope that I can see you create great achievements in my lifetime."

Jiang Liu always smiles but does not answer.

He knew that the "great deeds" mentioned by Fa Ming were nothing more than becoming a Buddha immediately.

But does Jiang Liu really want to become a Buddha?

Becoming a Buddha is said to be an escape from the sea of ​​suffering, but Jiang Liu can't let go of that smile that comes from his heart. Why is it that when one transcends the eight sufferings, even the right to be happy is lost?

As time went by, Jiang Liu turned from a troublemaker to a childlike child. It was still tumbling up and down the mountain.

finally. The eighteenth birthday has arrived.

Fa Ming found Jiang Liu and wanted him to receive full ordination and become a real monk.

Jiang Liu took off his monk's hat, touched his proud hair, and asked, "Is it OK if I don't want to shave my head?"

"How can I not cut off the world of mortals as a monk?" Fa Ming asked rhetorically.

"Master, has it been cut off?"

"this……"

"If you cut off the world of mortals, why open a sect and establish a temple? Cultivating Buddhism is a matter for one person. What does it have to do with others? Isn't this clearly written in the scriptures? If the heart is pure, the world will be clear."

Fa Ming closed his mouth, knowing that he couldn't argue with Jiang Liu, so he could only watch him put his monk's hat back on happily, turn around and hum, and sighed in an operatic tone: "If I can't stop cutting, What’s the point of shaving your head? What’s the point of shaving your head!”

Faming had no choice but to classify him as a lay disciple and assigned him the secular job of carrying firewood and water.

One day, Faming was reciting sutras in his room. Jiang Liu suddenly came to Fa Ming and knelt down: "Master, I want to go down the mountain."

Fa Ming was startled and said quickly: "Going down the mountain? Why are you going down the mountain?"

Raising his head, Jiang Liu whispered: "My disciple heard that he came along the river and wanted to find his biological parents."

Hearing this, Fa Ming frowned and waved his hands and said, "That's just a common thing in the world. Just ignore it."

"If you can't sort it out, how can you cut it indiscriminately? If you keep cutting it, what's the use of practicing?"

Seeing Jiang Liu put on a defensive posture again, Fa Ming fell silent.

After a long while, he blinked his already presbyopic eyes and said softly: "It's not that I don't allow it, it's just that the world is so big, where can you find it?"

"Since I came along the river, I must search along the river. If there is a destiny, I will definitely find it. If there is no destiny, it is better to put an end to my disciple's thoughts. I also ask the master to fulfill me." After that, Jiang Liu bowed again. Go down.

When he raised his head again, he stared at Fa Ming quietly. Those eyes seemed to be able to see the truth of heaven and earth clearly, so clear that it made one feel inferior.

For a long time, Fa Ming could only smile bitterly and said: "The cycle of cause and effect... Disciple, go and get Master's red sandalwood box."

"Yes." Jiang Liu kowtowed, turned around and fetched the red sandalwood box that he usually treated as a treasure from Fa Ming's bed.

After opening the lock, Fa Ming took out a brocade juan and handed it to Jiang Liu: "Disciple, please take a look."

This Jinjuan felt smooth and extremely soft. It was the finest fabric Jiang Liu had ever seen in his life. It was just that Tou Juan saw blood stains on every word, which was shocking.

Opening Jinjuan, Jiang Liu's expression suddenly changed, and his face was full of fear that he had never seen before: "Master... Since master knows about his disciple's life experience, why didn't he tell him earlier!"

"Although I know my life experience, I am afraid that it will hinder your practice, so I don't announce it. Today you insist on going down the mountain, so you have no choice but..." Fa Ming stopped talking, trembling slightly, took out a sweatshirt and handed it to Jiang Liu, saying: "This sweatshirt I came with you in the same basket, so you should keep it and treat it as a token."

Jiang Liu felt a surge of energy and blood, almost wanting to spray out, but he held back and bowed deeply.

"This disciple has left his mortal world. If he comes back, he will always be at the master's knees to repay the kindness of raising him for eighteen years."

"Go." Fa Ming closed his eyes deeply.

Jiang Liu walked out of Jinshan Temple silently and went straight down the mountain without saying a word.

At this moment, clouds were flying in the sky.

…

The next day, Jiang Liu came to Jiangzhou's private office and asked to see his biological mother, Yin Wenjiao.

When the yamen officer saw that he was wearing a monk's robe but with long secular hair, he just said that he was a rooster and a dog robber and was not allowed to enter.

During the heated debate, a middle-aged woman pushed the door open and came out.

Jiang Liu saw that she was born gracefully, and her movements were full of nobility. He immediately came forward to pay homage and said, "The female donor is polite."

When the woman saw the river flow, she was so shocked that she couldn't speak. She looked at it carefully and showed doubts on her face. He clasped his hands together and said in respect, "Who is the young master?"

"I am originally from Haizhou, and now I am a lay disciple of Jinshan Temple."

"Haizhou?" the woman asked again, "Since it is Haizhou, why did you become a monk in Jiangzhou?"

"Because my father was the top scholar in high school, he was ordered by the emperor to go to Jiangzhou to take up his post. He encountered thieves on the way. My father was killed and my mother was taken over. I was exiled to the river when I was one month old. Fortunately, I was rescued by my mentor from Jinshan Temple and saved my life."

The woman's face suddenly turned pale, and she hurriedly held Jiang Liu's wrist and said, "Master, please come in and sit down."

Wait to sit down. Tea was served. After the screen retreated, the woman asked angrily: "Do you have any proof for what the young master just said?"

Jiang Liu took out the blood book and presented it with both hands: "There is a blood book in the undershirt as proof."

The woman was doubtful, so she opened the blood book and took a look, but she couldn't laugh or cry. After a while. With a troubled look on his face, he said calmly: "This concubine is Yin Wenjiao."

Jiang Liu opened his eyes suddenly, knelt down immediately, and shouted: "Mom, please accept my child's obeisance!"

For some reason, he couldn't see any joy in Yin Wenjiao's eyes. Logically speaking, it shouldn't be like this when they meet again after being separated for eighteen years.

Could it be that there is an error in the letter?

Yin Wenjiao helped Jiang Liu up. After asking about the past eighteen years, she looked like a loving mother, but did not mention a word about revenge. She only said: "What does my son want to do next?"

"Go to Beijing and file a complaint!" Jiang Liu replied decisively.

Yin Wenjiao's face suddenly turned ashen and she said sadly: "No."

"Why not?"

"My son is already a monk. How can he take care of secular affairs?"

"How can a child be considered a member of the family if he has not shaved his head or taken the precepts? It is unreasonable to be a son of man without retribution for such a great hatred!"

After saying these firm words, Yin Wenjiao hesitated again and again, and could only sigh: "How can the imperial edict be obtained so easily? Your grandpa is the Prime Minister of Yin Dynasty. When I receive a letter, you can go to Chang'an and hand it over to him."

After that, Yin Wenjiao took the pen and ink, a letter, sealed it with wax, and handed it to Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu collected the letter and bowed to Yin Wenjiao three times before leaving the private office.

Returning directly to Jinshan Temple, Jiang Liu packed his bags and rushed to Chang'an day and night.

…

Half a month later, Prime Minister Yin's Mansion on the East Street of the Imperial City.

"Please let the donor know that relatives from Jiangzhou are visiting." Jiang Liu said to the boy guarding the door.

The boy at the door looked Jiang Liu up and down. He was still wearing the same clothes, but they were already dirty after many days of travel. He immediately shouted: "Go, go, little beggar, go somewhere else! There are no relatives of yours here!" "

Jiang Liu hesitated for a moment and had to change his words: "I am a wandering monk in Jiangzhou. I was asked by Yin Wenjiao, the daughter of Prime Minister Yin, to bring a letter from home. I would like to pass it on."

After saying that, he took out the unopened letter from his sleeve and handed it to the boy.

The boy was doubtful, so he took the envelope and looked at it twice. He thought he was illiterate, so he opened the side door a crack and went in quietly.

Not long after, the door opened, and an old man with gray hair and beard, dressed in luxurious clothes came out with everyone. The thing he held tightly in his hand was the letter he had just handed over.

Seeing the old man, Jiang Liu immediately knelt down on his knees and shouted: "Grandpa, please accept my nephew's bow!"

After all, it was three rings.

When Yin Cheng met Jiang Liu, he was filled with emotions. He took Jiang Liu's hand and went to the mansion.

After sitting down, Prime Minister Yin said: "I already know about your parents. My nephew is a monk. I will think about this matter carefully. You can stay here."

"It's all up to grandpa!" Jiang Liu immediately kowtowed.

That night, Prime Minister Yin arranged a residence for Jiang Liu. For so many days, he had enough food and clothing, but he never mentioned the matter of revenge again. He only said that he wanted to find a temple abbot for Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu said: "The great revenge has not been avenged. He has no intention of thinking about it."

However, Prime Minister Yin just talked about him and did not go into details.

After more than a month, Jiang Liuanna couldn't help but went to the imperial city alone. He saw an old man with a high crown who was just about to leave the city.

That night, Prime Minister Yin received an urgent edict from the Emperor of Tang Dynasty. When he returned home in front of the emperor, he saw Jiang Liu, but he just sighed.

The next day, Prime Minister Yin sent 60,000 imperial troops to Jiangzhou and arrested Liu Hong and Li Biao, Jiang Liu's enemies who killed his father.

At Jiang Liu's request, Li Biao was beaten alive in the street, and he also asked the Holy Inquisitor to have Liu Hong's heart cut open at the Hongjiang Ferry in memory of his late father, Chen Guangrui, and he received the Holy See's permission.

On the day of the memorial ceremony, Jiang Liu invited his mother Yin Wenjiao to visit the Hongjiang ferry, but Yin Wenjiao stayed behind closed doors, so Jiang Liu had no choice but to go alone.

After Liu Hong was cut open to pay homage, he suddenly saw a corpse floating on the river. Looking closely, he saw that the corpse's face was exactly the same as that of the river!

Jiang Liu cried bitterly. I thought my dead father appeared.

Unexpectedly, the corpse actually opened its eyes and came back to life. He only said: "The golden carp released that day was the Dragon King here, so he was rescued. After collecting the soul of the corpse, he was resurrected today."

Suddenly I heard that a government official came to report: "My wife has hanged herself and died. She left a note saying: 'A woman has nothing to do with two husbands.'"

Jiang Liu suddenly felt a thunderbolt in the clear sky and cried, "Why is mother doing this?"

Prime Minister Yin only sighed: "My daughter Zhenlie, she committed herself to a thief to protect her parents and children, but today she has been redressed. Now she is going."

After that, everyone returned. Ignore the river flow any more.

At the Hongjiang Ferry, only Chen Guangrui and Jiang Liu were left.

Jiang Lili cried bitterly, but Chen Guangrui just remained silent. After a long time, Fang said: "You are kind to me, so tell the truth."

Jiang Liu was puzzled and shouted with sobs: "Why did father say that?"

"Do you know. When is your birthday?"

"I just know it's the height of summer."

"Do you know when your mother and I will get married?"

"this……"

"The beginning of spring." Chen Guangrui said lightly, turned around and left.

A thunderbolt flashed across the sky, and Jiang Liu suddenly realized. He felt a sharp pain in his chest, a stream of blood spurted out, and he fell into a deep coma.

Local fishermen sent Jiang Liu back to Jinshan Temple, where he was in a coma for seven days. No one came to visit him outside the temple, as if the fate of the world was truly broken.

…

Seven days later, Jiang Liu woke up. In a daze, I saw Master Faming handing me a bowl of water.

After drinking it, Faming went to pour it again.

Jiang Liu asked: "Master, is that blood book something that came along the river with my disciple?"

Faming's body trembled and he turned his back to Jiangliu, but remained silent.

"My mother had been in contact with Liu Hong before she got married. I am Liu Hong's son and have nothing to do with Chen Guangrui. Thinking about it today, the blood letter was exactly the same. It encouraged me to go to Beijing to complain, but it did not mention that my disciple's biological father was Chen Guangrui. . Come to think of it, it must not have been written by my mother..."

Fa Ming didn't answer.

"Why are we so similar to Chen Guangrui, but not like Liu Hong? Master, my disciple is feeling miserable." Jiang Liu looked up and sighed, unable to extricate himself for a long time.

Fa Ming lowered his head and poured water, then handed the water to the river and said, "Since you know the suffering in this world, why not become a Buddha?"

Jiang Liu didn't take the water, but said, "Master, can you tell me who the blood letter is to you?"

"That day, I rescued you from the river. That night, the Tathagata Zhengfa Ming asked me in a dream, telling me that if you want to go down the mountain, you will hand over this blood book. No need to say more. When I woke up, I saw the blood book on the bed. "

"True Dharma Ming Tathagata?" Jiang Liu said with a bitter smile: "Why did he trap me in an unjust place? My mother abandoned me in Jiang, and I am afraid she has something to do with it."

Fa Ming clasped his hands together and chanted: "Anita Buddha, Liu Hong's sins are serious, and the consequences today are also his own evil causes. Disciple, there is no need to blame yourself."

"Then what kind of fruit did my disciple sow?" Jiang Liu asked confusedly: "Is it possible that my disciple was a sinful person in his previous life, and in this life he will suffer the consequences of killing his father and mother, and leading to betrayal and separation from his relatives?"

"Good and evil, black and white, are all born from the heart. If you take what the world likes as your own joy, and take what the world hates as your own evil, you will surely fall into the devil's trap and be unable to extricate yourself. If there is a way, if the heart is pure, then the world Ming. My disciple's suffering today is all due to a unclear mind."

"Knowing, but not realizing."

"This is the suffering of all living beings."

…

That night, Dharma Ming Tathagata fell into a dream.

"Jin Chanzi, are you enlightened?"

"Jin Chanzi?"

"You are the reincarnation of the golden cicada and became a Buddha. Afterwards, you had doubts and voluntarily fell into reincarnation and practiced for ten lives. You are willing to suffer the suffering of all living beings and seek the truth in your heart. The period of ten lives has been completed. If you have enlightened, start now, You should practice hard and get rid of the eight sufferings, and one day you will return to the state of bliss and become a Buddha."

In the dream, Jiang Liu's face was as calm as autumn water and a mirror.

"In the place of the Buddha? If I can escape from my suffering through practice, what about the suffering of all sentient beings? I am not the only one who suffers this kind of suffering in the world."

"this……"

"To become a Buddha, you must let go, have no desires, no demands, and no obsessions. Every time I see believers coming to worship the Buddha, I want to laugh. It is clearly written in the Buddhist scriptures. They blindly bribe the Buddha, but they do not know that the Buddhas in the West have already He lost his heart and soul the day he became a Buddha, so how could he be kind to him?"

"Becoming a Buddha is to save oneself, so what do you do to all sentient beings? If sentient beings want to escape from the sea of ​​suffering, they will go through countless hardships to follow the Buddhas and pray for the Dharma. Why do you need to care about it? Jinchanzi, you have had this confusion in your previous life, and it remains the same in this life. I am afraid that I have fallen into a demonic barrier and will not be able to cultivate emptiness in this life."

After that, leave the dream.

Jiang Liu slowly opened his eyes, everything in front of him was hazy: "Cultivation of the void? Humph."

A few days later. Jiang Liu recovered, read through Buddhist scriptures, and locked himself in the Sutra Pavilion every day.

Fa Ming only thought that Jiang Liu had an epiphany and felt relieved. How could he know that Jiang Liu's long hair was falling off day by day. Until there is no trace left.

One day, Jiang Liu came to Fa Ming's throne, kowtowed three times and bowed nine times, and said, "Master, this disciple wants to travel far."

"Traveling far away? Where do you want to go, disciple?"

"Xitian Leiyin Temple!"

Suddenly I heard a thunderbolt passing by the window on a sunny day.

Faming was shocked.

…

The legislative title is Xuanzang, but there is no precept scar.

Half a month later, Xuanzang came to Chang'an. I found the old man I introduced that day. After being introduced, I was able to meet Yuyan.

Above the temple, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty sat on a dragon chair and looked at Xuanzang carefully.

Xuanzang was seen wearing the cassock given by Fa Ming before his departure, holding a nine-ring staff, and wearing a red crown of Buddhas on his head. His magnanimity was incomparable to ordinary people.

"Who is kneeling?"

"The poor monk Xuanzang is a wandering monk."

"What do you want?"

"The poor monk wants to go to the West to obtain the true scriptures. I sincerely request your majesty's permission to approve the customs clearance document to ensure a smooth journey."

Taizong gently stroked his long beard and said: "We are a huge country in the Tang Dynasty. We have thousands of Buddhist scriptures. Why do we need to go to the West to get them?"

"These are all lessons for overcoming oneself."

"The Sutra of Savioring Oneself? It's interesting what you monk said. If you don't seek to save yourself, do you also seek to save others?"

"What the poor monk wants is to save all sentient beings."

"To save all sentient beings? I heard that the Buddha taught people to be bhikkhus. He begged for Dharma from the Tathagata to cultivate his spirit, and begged for food from the lay people to support his body. Why do we need you to save all sentient beings?"

"How can all sentient beings be ignorant and undergo such hard training? Therefore, it is not widely spread."

"Oh? What do you want?"

"If the Buddhas of the West do not save sentient beings, I will save them. If the Buddhas of the West do not send them sutras, I will go and get them. If sentient beings do not seek the Dharma, I will send them to them. If sentient beings do not save me, I will save them."

After this call, the entire hall fell silent, and every courtier present was stunned.

After a long time, Taizong said softly: "Buddhism requires you to cut off your obsessions. If you have such a mind and obsession, how can you become a Buddha?"

"In this life, I do not seek to become a Buddha. I only seek to save all sentient beings. I hope Your Majesty will do the same." After saying this, Xuanzang bowed deeply and bowed down.

At this moment, everyone in the hall looked at Emperor Taizong.

Taizong didn't say anything. He just looked down at Xuanzang and thought about it. After a long time, he said: "Such a monk is indeed rare. It's a pity that the state religion of the Tang Dynasty is Taoism, so we don't allow it."

"What if the poor monk insists on going?" Xuanzang suddenly raised his head, his eyes indifferent.

"That is disobeying the imperial edict, and you should behead the Meridian Gate." After saying that, Taizong made a slashing motion with his sword.

Xuanzang was silent.

Taizong said again: "I have often heard that monks do not tell lies. Today in this hall, I want you to swear an oath that you will not go to the West in this life. Otherwise, you will be punished for resisting the decree."

Xuanzang remained silent and did not bow.

After a long time, Taizong waved his sleeves and said: "Pull him down and throw him into the sky prison. He will be interrogated and executed at noon tomorrow!"

…

That night, when Xuanzang was meditating in prison, a jailer came angrily.

"I am the reincarnation of Tathagata Zhengfa Ming, Golden Chanzi, do you know that you are wrong?"

Xuanzang looked calm and replied: "What's wrong with this poor monk?"

"You are obsessed with saving all sentient beings, but you don't know that all sentient beings are ignorant. Now you are thrown into a heavenly prison, waiting to be executed tomorrow. By then, once the appointment of ten lives has passed, hundreds of lives of practice have disappeared, and you will be reincarnated again, and you will be no different from ordinary people."

Xuanzang smiled contemptuously.

"If you know you are wrong, I will save you from fire and water. When you are released from prison, you must practice hard and never have the delusion of saving sentient beings."

Xuanzang closed his eyes, clasped his hands together and said: "All living beings are ignorant, how can you and I be ignorant? How can we sit on the Buddha's throne when all living beings are suffering? How can we become a Buddha if we have doubts in our hearts? If heaven wanted Xuanzang to suffer such a disaster, Xuanzang would I have nothing to say. I just wait until noon tomorrow to break this evil fate of a hundred lifetimes."

The jailer snorted coldly, turned around and left. After a while, he turned back and said, "Why do you insist on heading west?"

"To obtain the Dharma, the Dharma to save all sentient beings."

"How do you know that there is the method you seek on this westward journey?"

"I can't, so I went to Tathagata and asked for clarification, which solved hundreds of generations of doubts!"

"It's a hundred and eighty thousand miles to the west. There are many monsters and dangers. How can you get there with your mortal eyes?"

"If there is no way in the world, let me die on the westward journey, and I will no longer be a bald donkey who cannot cut off the mortal world in the next life." After saying this, Xuanzang closed his eyes tightly and said no more.

The jailer groaned, but couldn't bear it. After a long time, Fang whispered: "On the way to the west, there is a mountain called Five Elements Mountain. Under the mountain is a divine monkey, who was the king of ten thousand demons six hundred and fifty years ago. If you can get his protection, The journey to the west will be smooth. I will pass on to you two incantations. One can break the seal of the Five Elements Mountain, and the other can see through the minds of mortals. This lunch box is the end of the agreement between you and me to take care of you that day. You can take care of yourself in the future. "

…

In the imperial study, Taizong was reading the memorials, but could not see them for a long time and was very irritated.

A minister asked quietly: "Why is your Majesty like this?"

"I'm thinking about that monk today. To save all sentient beings... I am even less ambitious than I am. It's a pity that I joined the wrong sect."

"I have something to say, but I don't know whether to say it or not."

"Speak, I forgive you."

The minister bowed and cupped his hands and said: "Taoism has gained momentum recently, and there is a hidden tendency to infiltrate the imperial court and interfere in the government affairs. If Xuanzang is allowed to obtain the true scriptures, Buddhism will flourish, which can be regarded as a way to contain it."

"I have recognized that Lao Tzu as my ancestor. You have no need to joke."

The minister bowed his head and said no more.

Not long after, an eunuch rushed in and reported: "Your Majesty, the monk Xuanzang disappeared in the prison today!"

"Missing?" Taizong's hand holding the pen paused slightly.

"He must have escaped from prison to resist the edict and go west! Your Majesty can immediately draw up an edict and send people out of Shenwu Gate to search all the way west. They will definitely be able to recover him!" A minister said with cupped hands.

"No chasing." Taizong shook his head.

"Then, send someone the customs clearance documents?"

"I won't send it away." Taizong still shook his head.

The eunuch and the minister looked at each other, at a loss as to what to do. After a long time, the minister cautiously asked: "Then, do you want to inform the checkpoints along the way and let me go?"

"I won't report it." After saying that, Taizong smiled and reached out to pick up the memorial and read it carefully. ,

…

Xuanzang reined his horse outside Chang'an City and looked back, looking at the endless prosperity of Chang'an.

"There is an autumn breeze, a bright moon, one person and one horse, and it is enough to go west!"

A great journey that shocked the three realms and six realms began. (To be continued ~^~)

PS: Well, is the painting style different? This chapter was written two years ago... Please subscribe, vote monthly, give rewards, recommend votes, and ask for everything! ! !