The story goes that Emperor Taizong of Tang, accompanied by Judge Cui and Grand Marshal Zhu, finally managed to shake off his debtors and continued on his journey. They soon arrived at a place called the "Six Paths of Reincarnation." The area was shrouded in mist and glowing with radiant light, bustling with deities, monks, Taoists, birds, beasts, and even demons and ghosts, all busy with their reincarnation journeys. Curious, Emperor Taizong asked, "What's going on here?" Judge Cui explained, "Your Majesty, this is the place of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. You must remember this to inform the living world when you return."
"The so-called Six Paths of Reincarnation are: those who do good ascend to the celestial realm, the loyal are reborn as nobles, the filial are reborn in the realm of blessings, the just are reborn in the human realm, the virtuous are reborn into wealth, while those who commit many evil deeds are doomed to the ghostly realm." Emperor Taizong nodded repeatedly in approval, "This is marvelous! Indeed, good deeds are rewarded. So, keep a kind heart, and good paths will open. Never harbor evil thoughts, as they only bring trouble. Don't think there's no retribution; the gods and spirits have it all arranged."
Then, Judge Cui escorted Emperor Taizong to the entrance of the Noble Rebirth Path and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, this is your way out. I will not go further; Grand Marshal Zhu will accompany you the rest of the way." Emperor Taizong expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, sir, for escorting me this far." Judge Cui advised, "Once you return to the living world, you must hold a Water and Land Dharma Assembly to release those wandering souls. Only when the underworld is free of grievances can the living world enjoy peace. You should also reform all bad habits and encourage people to do good, ensuring your reign lasts long." Emperor Taizong agreed to everything, bid farewell to Judge Cui, and followed Grand Marshal Zhu through the gate.
Grand Marshal Zhu led Emperor Taizong to find a sea-green horse inside the gate, fully saddled and ready. He quickly invited the emperor to mount it, with attendants supporting him on both sides. The horse galloped like an arrow, and soon they reached the banks of the Wei River. There, two golden carp were leaping joyfully in the water. Emperor Taizong was so delighted by the sight that he was reluctant to leave. The marshal urged, "Your Majesty, let's move quickly and enter the city." But Emperor Taizong was still unwilling to go, so the marshal gave him a push, causing him to fall into the river with a splash, thus returning to the living world.
Meanwhile, the civil and military officials of the Tang court, including Xu Maogong, Qin Shubao, and Hu Jingde, were mourning for Emperor Taizong in the White Tiger Hall and discussing the issuance of an edict of mourning, preparing to support the crown prince's ascension. At this moment, Wei Zheng stood up and said, "Everyone, please wait! We mustn't act hastily. If we alarm the people, it could cause chaos. Let's wait one more day; I believe His Majesty will revive."
Xu Jingzong, however, was skeptical and retorted, "Chancellor Wei, your words are inappropriate. As the saying goes, spilled water cannot be gathered up, and the dead cannot come back to life. How can you speak of such fantastical things and disturb the people's hearts?" Wei Zheng replied, "To be honest, Mr. Xu, I've studied the art of immortality since childhood, and my calculations are accurate. I assure you, His Majesty will not die."
Just then, a voice cried out repeatedly from the coffin, "I'm drowning! I'm drowning!" The officials were terrified, and the empresses and concubines were even more frightened. Everyone turned pale and was at a loss. The crown prince's legs went weak, the attendants' souls nearly left their bodies, the concubines stumbled, and the maidservants swayed. The entire White Tiger Hall seemed as if it were about to collapse, and no one dared approach the coffin.
Fortunately, Xu Maogong, Wei Zheng, Qin Shubao, and Jingde were brave enough to step forward, stabilize the coffin, and call out, "Your Majesty, if there's anything you can't let go of, speak out and don't scare everyone." Wei Zheng assured them, "It's not a haunting; His Majesty has come back to life. Quickly, get the tools!" They opened the coffin lid, and sure enough, Emperor Taizong was sitting inside, still shouting, "I'm drowning! Who saved me?" Maogong and the others stepped forward to help him up, saying, "Your Majesty, don't be afraid now that you're awake. We're all here to protect you." Only then did Emperor Taizong open his eyes and say, "I just had such a hard time, escaping the evil spirits of the underworld, only to nearly die in the water." The ministers comforted him, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, there won't be any floods."
As Emperor Taizong Li Shimin recounted his "resurrection" experience, he remarked, "I rode to the banks of the Wei River, saw two fish playing in the water, and was pushed off the horse by that rascal Grand Marshal Zhu, nearly drowning in the river." Wei Zheng quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, you're still not fully recovered." Thus, the imperial medical team promptly brought calming and restorative medicines and prepared porridge. After taking several servings, Li Shimin finally regained consciousness and realized he was alive again. He had been "dead" for three full days and nights, and now he was back in the living world as emperor. As the saying goes: "The eternal empire changes many times, yet Emperor Tang can truly die and live again." That evening, as the sky darkened, the ministers requested Emperor Taizong to rest, and they all dispersed.
The next morning, everyone took off their mourning clothes and donned colorful garments. Each person wore a red robe and black hat, with purple sashes and golden emblems, waiting outside the court for the summons. Emperor Taizong Li Shimin took the calming medicine, drank some porridge, and was escorted by his ministers to his chamber for a good sleep, restoring his energy. At dawn, he awoke, refreshed and ready for court. See how he dressed: wearing a crown, a saffron-yellow robe, a belt of blue jade from Lantian, and shoes that symbolized a worry-free reign. His presence was truly a revival of the grand Tang dynasty's majesty! As Emperor Taizong ascended the imperial throne, the civil and military officials gathered in two lines, hailed him with long live shouts, and stood according to rank. Then, Emperor Taizong issued the decree: "Step forward if you have matters to report; otherwise, court is dismissed."
At this time, civil officials like Xu Maogong, Wei Zheng, and Wang Gui, along with military generals like Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, and Xue Rengui, stepped forward and knelt, saying, "Your Majesty, after your long dream, why did it take so long for you to awaken?" Emperor Taizong laughed and said, "I received a letter from Wei Zheng, and my spirit left the palace. I saw the imperial guards inviting me to hunt. As I walked, both the people and horses disappeared. Then, I saw my father and brothers arguing. Not knowing what to do, Judge Cui appeared and dismissed my brothers. I showed him Wei Zheng's letter. Then, a man in blue led me to the Hall of Judgment, where I sat with the ten kings of the underworld. They said the Dragon King of Jing River falsely accused me, so I recounted the events. The kings checked my life record and said I had twenty more years to live, ordering Grand Marshal Zhu and Judge Cui to escort me back. I bid farewell to the ten kings, promising to send fruits as thanks. Leaving the Hall of Judgment, I saw those in the underworld who were disloyal, unfilial, and committed evil deeds suffering terrible punishments, a truly unbearable sight. Passing through the City of Wrongful Deaths, I encountered countless wronged souls. Fortunately, Judge Cui vouched for me, borrowing gold and silver from the Magistrate of Henan, allowing me to continue. Judge Cui advised me to hold a Water and Land Dharma Assembly upon returning to the living world to release wandering souls."
"After exiting the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Grand Marshal Zhu invited me to mount a horse, which flew to the banks of the Wei River. Seeing twin-headed fish playing in the water, I was delighted, but he pushed me into the water, and that's how I returned to life." Upon hearing this, the ministers congratulated him, and the news spread throughout the land, with officials from all regions sending congratulatory messages.
Emperor Taizong then issued a decree to pardon criminals across the nation and review major cases. The Ministry of Justice found over four hundred death row inmates, all of whom were released to return home, bid farewell to their families, and settle affairs, with the condition to return next year to face justice. The prisoners gratefully withdrew. Additionally, an edict was issued to care for orphans, revealing three thousand palace maidens, who were then assigned to soldiers, ensuring harmony within and outside the court. As the poem goes: The benevolence of the Tang Emperor is as vast as the heavens, releasing death row inmates and freeing resentful women from the palace. A single thought of kindness brings lasting blessings. Emperor Taizong also issued a proclamation, advising the nation: "The world is vast, the sun and moon shine bright, and treachery cannot be tolerated. Doing good and accumulating virtue brings rewards not only in the afterlife. A thousand strategies are not as good as being a decent person. With kindness in your heart, why struggle with scriptures?"
From then on, people across the land began to do good and accumulate virtue. Emperor Taizong also issued a recruitment edict, seeking volunteers to deliver fruits to the underworld. Meanwhile, he instructed Duke Hu Jingde to take a treasury of gold and silver to Kaifeng in Henan to repay the Magistrate Xiangliang. A few days after the edict was posted, a virtuous man named Liu Quan responded. Liu Quan, from Junzhou, was wealthy. His wife, Li Cuilian, had given a gold hairpin to a passing monk at their doorstep, which led to Liu Quan scolding her for being unfaithful and going out without permission. In anger, Li Cuilian hanged herself, leaving behind two young children who cried incessantly.
Feeling heartbroken, Liu Quan decided to abandon his life, leaving his family and children, and resolved to sacrifice himself for the country. He tore down the imperial edict and went to see Emperor Taizong. The emperor ordered him to go to the Golden Pavilion, carrying a pair of pumpkins on his head, yellow coins in his sleeves, and medicine in his mouth. Liu Quan indeed took the poison and died, his spirit carrying the fruits, quickly arriving at the gates of the underworld.
The gatekeeper ghost asked sternly, "Who are you to dare come here?" Liu Quan replied, "I am under the orders of Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty, here to deliver fruits to the ten kings of the underworld." Hearing this, the ghost happily led him into the Hall of Judgment. Liu Quan presented the fruits to the kings, saying, "By the order of Emperor Tang, I have traveled far to offer these fruits in gratitude for your leniency." The kings were pleased and accepted the fruits. Then, they inquired about Liu Quan's background. Liu Quan replied, "I am Liu Quan from Junzhou. My wife, Li, hanged herself, leaving our children uncared for. I am willing to abandon my family and children, sacrificing myself for the country, to present these fruits in gratitude to the great kings." Upon hearing this, the ten kings immediately ordered an investigation into Liu Quan's wife's situation.
The ghost quickly brought Lady Li to the Hall of Judgment, allowing Liu Quan and his wife to reunite. After recounting their past, they expressed gratitude for the ten kings' kindness. The King of Hell checked the book of life and death and found that both Liu Quan and his wife were destined to become immortals. Therefore, he promptly dispatched a ghost to escort them back to the living world. The ghost asked for instructions, "Li Cuilian has been in the underworld for a long time, and her body no longer exists. Where should her soul reside?" The King of Hell replied, "The imperial sister Li Yuying's life has ended; you can use her body for Li Cuilian's soul to return." The ghost obeyed and took Liu Quan and his wife back to the living world. With a gust of wind, they quickly arrived in Chang'an. Liu Quan's soul was returned to the Golden Pavilion, while Li Cuilian's soul was taken to the inner palace.
At that moment, Li Yuying was strolling in the garden when she was bumped by the ghost and fell to the ground. Her soul was taken away, and Li Cuilian's soul was pushed into Li Yuying's body. The ghost, having completed its task, returned to the underworld.
The palace maids, seeing Li Yuying fall, hurriedly ran to the imperial hall to report to the empress, "Lady Li has fallen and died!" The empress was shocked and immediately informed Emperor Taizong. Upon hearing this, the emperor nodded and sighed, "So it is. I once asked the ten kings of the underworld, 'Are the young and old safe?' They said, 'All is well, except we worry about the imperial sister's life nearing its end.' It has come true." Everyone in the palace mourned and rushed to the garden to see, only to find Li Yuying still breathing faintly. Emperor Taizong comforted them, "Don't cry! Don't cry! Don't scare her." He carefully approached, gently lifted Li Yuying's head, and softly called, "Sister, wake up."
The lady suddenly turned over, shouting, "Husband, don't leave, wait for me!" Emperor Taizong quickly said, "Sister, it's me here." The lady opened her eyes and asked, "Who are you to pull me?" Emperor Taizong helplessly replied, "I am your imperial brother and sister-in-law." The lady said, "I have no such imperial brother or sister-in-law! My maiden name is Li, given name Li Cuilian. My husband is Liu Quan, and we are from Junzhou. Three months ago, I gave a gold hairpin to a monk at the door, and my husband accused me of being unfaithful and scolded me. In anger, I hanged myself, leaving two children crying all the time. Now, because my husband was sent by the Tang emperor to deliver fruits to the underworld, the King of Hell pitied us and allowed us to return. He went ahead, and because I was a step behind, I didn't catch up with him and fell. You people are really rude, pulling me without knowing who I am!" Emperor Taizong, hearing this, told the palace people, "Perhaps the imperial sister fainted and is speaking nonsense." He then ordered the imperial physicians to bring medicine and helped Yuying back to the palace.
While Emperor Taizong was handling affairs in the hall, an official reported, "Your Majesty, Liu Quan, who delivered the fruits, has returned to life and is now waiting outside the court." Emperor Taizong was greatly surprised and quickly summoned Liu Quan. Liu Quan knelt before the throne, and Emperor Taizong asked, "How did the fruit delivery go?" Liu Quan replied, "I carried the fruits to the gates of the underworld, was led to the Hall of Judgment, met the ten kings, presented the fruits, and conveyed Your Majesty's gratitude. The kings were very pleased and praised Your Majesty for your faith and virtue." Emperor Taizong asked further, "What did you see in the underworld?" Liu Quan answered, "I didn't go far. I only heard the kings ask about my background, and I explained about leaving my family, my wife's hanging, and my willingness to deliver fruits. The kings immediately sent a ghost to bring my wife, and we reunited in the Hall of Judgment. The kings checked the book of life and death and said we were both destined for immortality, so they sent a ghost to escort us back. I went ahead, and my wife followed, thankfully returning to life. But I don't know where my wife's soul resides." Emperor Taizong asked in surprise, "Did the kings say anything about your wife?" Liu Quan replied, "The kings said nothing more, only that the ghost said, 'Li Cuilian has long been in the underworld, and her body no longer exists.' The kings said, 'The imperial sister Li Yuying's life has ended; let Cuilian use Yuying's body to return.' I don't know where the imperial sister is from or where she lives, and I haven't gone to find her yet." Emperor Taizong, upon hearing this, was overjoyed and told the officials, "When I parted with the kings, I asked about the palace affairs, and they said the young and old were safe, except they worried about the imperial sister's life nearing its end. Just now, the imperial sister Yuying fell in the garden, and I hurried to see her. She soon woke up and said, 'Husband, don't leave, wait for me!' I thought she was speaking nonsense from the fall. Upon further inquiry, what she said matched what Liu Quan said."
Wei Zheng reported, "The imperial sister's sudden nearing of her lifespan and her immediate utterance of these words upon awakening is precisely the case of Liu Quan's wife borrowing a body to return to life. Such occurrences have happened before. We could invite the lady to come out and see what she has to say." Emperor Taizong replied, "I just sent the imperial physicians to deliver medicine; I wonder how things are going." He then instructed the concubines to invite her. Inside the palace, the lady was shouting, "I don't want any medicine! This is not my home! My home is a simple, cool tile house, not like this place with its fancy doors and windows! Let me out! Let me out!" As she was making a fuss, four or five female attendants and two or three eunuchs brought her to the hall. Emperor Taizong asked, "Do you recognize your husband?" Yuying replied, "Of course, we've been married since childhood and even have children. How could I not recognize him?" Emperor Taizong had the attendants escort her down.
As the lady descended the steps of the hall and reached the white jade steps, she saw Liu Quan and grabbed him, saying, "Husband, where did you go? Why didn't you wait for me? I fell and was surrounded by a bunch of unreasonable people. What's going on?" Liu Quan, hearing her speak like his wife but seeing she didn't look like her, was hesitant to acknowledge her. Emperor Taizong remarked, "This is truly a rare occurrence; substituting life for death is not common!" This wise ruler gifted all of the imperial sister's dowry, clothes, and jewelry to Liu Quan, as if it were a bridal gift, and also bestowed an edict exempting him from labor duties, allowing him to take the imperial sister home. The couple thanked the emperor at the steps and joyfully returned to their hometown. A poem bears witness: Life and death are predestined, each with its own years. Liu Quan returned to the living world, and Li Cuilian borrowed a body to revive. They bid farewell to the emperor and returned to Junzhou City, finding their home and children well. From then on, the couple spread the word of good deeds and never spoke of the past again.
Now, regarding the matter of Lord Yuchi, who brought a treasury full of gold and silver to Kaifeng in Henan, to find a man named Xiangliang. Xiangliang made a living selling water and lived with his wife, Zhang, selling pottery at their doorstep, earning just enough for daily expenses. They were kind-hearted and often bought gold and silver paper ingots to burn for the underworld, thus accumulating good karma. In the living world, he was a charitable poor man, but in the underworld, he was a wealthy man with piles of gold and jade. Lord Yuchi delivered the gold and silver to his home, frightening Xiangliang and his wife out of their wits. Moreover, local officials arrived, filling their doorstep with carriages and horses, leaving the old couple dumbfounded and kneeling in gratitude.
Lord Yuchi quickly said, "Please rise, elder. Though I am an imperial envoy, this time I am here under the emperor's orders to return the gold and silver to you." Xiangliang, trembling, replied, "I have never borrowed any gold or silver, how dare I accept such unexplained wealth?" Lord Yuchi explained, "I know you are a poor man, but your charity to monks and burning of gold and silver paper ingots for the underworld have accumulated virtue. My emperor borrowed a treasury of gold and silver from you in the underworld, and now we are returning it to you. Please accept it so I can report back." Xiangliang repeatedly kowtowed, insisting he could not accept, saying, "If I accept this gold and silver, I will surely die quickly. Although I burned paper for the underworld, that is all in the spiritual realm. Moreover, what evidence is there of the emperor borrowing gold and silver in the underworld? I truly dare not accept it." Lord Yuchi further said, "The emperor mentioned that Judge Cui vouched for the borrowed items, so you can rest assured and accept them." Yet Xiangliang persisted, "Even if it means death, I dare not accept." Seeing his firm refusal, Lord Yuchi had no choice but to report back to the emperor.
Emperor Taizong, upon reading the report and knowing Xiangliang's refusal, remarked, "He truly is a virtuous elder!" He then decreed that Hu Jingde use the gold and silver to build a temple and a shrine, and to have monks perform good deeds, thus repaying Xiangliang. The decree was issued, Jingde expressed gratitude, and the proclamation was made known to all. They used the gold and silver to purchase a fifty-acre plot in the city, on which they built a temple called "Chijian Xiangguo Temple." On the left side of the temple was a shrine for Xiangliang and his wife, with a stone tablet inscribed "Supervised by Lord Yuchi," which is today's Daxiangguo Temple.
After the completion of the project, Emperor Taizong was very pleased and convened the officials to issue a proclamation recruiting monks to prepare for the construction of a Water and Land Dharma Assembly to aid the souls in the underworld. The proclamation spread throughout the land, and local officials recommended virtuous monks to attend the assembly in Chang'an. Within a month, the eminent monks from across the country had arrived. Emperor Taizong issued an edict for the Grand Historian's Assistant, Fu Yi, to select the high monks for the Buddhist ceremonies. Upon receiving the edict, Fu Yi submitted a memorial opposing Buddhism, arguing that it lacked the proper rites of ruler and subject, father and son, and that it misled the ignorant, delved into past sins, and speculated on future blessings, chanting Sanskrit to avoid reality. He claimed that life and death, longevity and shortness, were natural, and that punishment and reward were determined by the ruler, asserting that Buddhism was untrustworthy. Emperor Taizong reviewed his memorial and presented it to the court for discussion.
Chancellor Xiao Yu stepped forward and argued, "Buddhism has long promoted good deeds and restrained evil, providing unseen benefits to the state and should not be abolished. The Buddha was a sage, and without sages, laws cannot be established. I request severe punishment for Fu Yi." Fu Yi and Xiao Yu debated, with Fu Yi maintaining that Confucian rites were based on serving one's parents and ruler, while Buddhism encouraged leaving one's family, thus opposing the emperor as a commoner. Xiao Yu clasped his hands and said, "Hell is made for such people." Emperor Taizong summoned Minister of Rites Zhang Daoyuan and Secretary-General Zhang Shiheng to inquire about the significance of Buddhist practices. They replied, "Buddhism advocates purity and compassion, with correct results and empty forms. Emperor Wu of Zhou once ranked the three teachings, praising Buddhism for its profoundness, and many supported it. Historically, the three teachings have coexisted and should neither be destroyed nor discarded. Please, Your Majesty, consider this wisely." Emperor Taizong happily agreed, saying, "You make a good point; anyone opposing Buddhism will face harsher penalties." He then ordered Wei Zheng, Xiao Yu, and Zhang Daoyuan to invite Buddhist monks from various regions and select a virtuous leader for the assembly. The officials thanked the emperor and withdrew. From then on, the law stipulated that anyone who slandered monks or the Buddha would have their arms severed.
The next day, the three ministers gathered the monks and selected high monks at the mountain and river altar, ultimately choosing a virtuous monk. Can you guess who he was? He was Ling Tongben, known as Jin Chan, who, due to inattentiveness during a Buddha's sermon, was reborn as a human, enduring many hardships. Born into the secular world, he faced numerous challenges. His father was Chen Zhuangyuan from Haizhou, and his maternal grandfather was the current governor. His reincarnation was marked by a fateful star, drifting with the waves, without a stable home. On the Golden Mountain Island, he was fortuitously adopted by Monk Qian'an. At eighteen, he recognized his family and went to the capital to see his grandfather. The governor mobilized the army to quell bandits, and Zhuangyuan Guangrui narrowly escaped, reuniting with his father, to their immense joy. Later, he met the current emperor, received honors, and gained fame. He declined official positions, choosing to become a monk, seeking the way as a fortunate monk. His childhood name was Jiang Liu'er, and his monastic name was Chen Xuanzang. On that day, everyone elected Master Xuanzang. Xuanzang had been a monk since childhood, observing fasts and precepts. His maternal grandfather was Governor Yin Kaishan, and his father Chen Guangrui was a top scholar and a grand academician at the Wen Yuan Pavilion. He had no love for worldly glory, only for cultivating tranquility. Noted for his good roots and virtue, well-versed in scriptures and Buddhist chants, the three ministers presented him to the emperor. After paying respects, they reported, "We have selected a high monk, Chen Xuanzang." Emperor Taizong, upon hearing the name, pondered and asked, "Is he the son of Scholar Chen Guangrui?" Jiang Liu'er bowed and replied, "I am indeed." Emperor Taizong joyfully said, "The selection is excellent; he truly is a virtuous and meditative monk. I appoint you as the Left and Right Sangha Overseer and the Great Preceptor of the Sangha in the realm." Xuanzang bowed in gratitude, accepting the grand preceptor's title. He was also gifted a multicolored brocade robe and a Pilu hat, instructed to sincerely oversee the assembly, organize the ranks, and prepare the venue. Xuanzang bowed again to accept the decree and proceeded to Huasheng Temple, gathering many monks to build meditation platforms, renovate the merits, and arrange the music. A total of 1,200 monks were selected, divided into upper, middle, and lower halls. All items before the Buddha were prepared, everything in order. The auspicious date was set for the third day of the ninth month of that year, to commence the 49-day Water and Land Assembly. A report was submitted, and Emperor Taizong, along with civil and military officials and royal relatives, attended the event, offering incense and listening to the teachings. What the emperor's intentions were, we shall hear in the next installment.
