So, let's talk about the monk Xuanzang. It was the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era, three days before the full moon in September. Emperor Taizong of Tang, along with a large group of officials, escorted him out of Chang'an City. You know, back then, there were no high-speed trains or airplanes; they relied on their two legs and a horse. After two days of fast riding, Xuanzang arrived at Famen Temple. The abbot there was overjoyed, and he, along with over five hundred monks, lined up to welcome Xuanzang, inviting him into the main hall and offering fragrant tea. After tea, they invited him to a vegetarian meal. By the time they finished eating, it was already dark, under a sky where "the shadows moved closer to the Milky Way, and the moon shone without a speck of dust." Everyone sat on cushions, chatting about Xuanzang's journey to the West to fetch scriptures. Some said the road was long and mountainous, others mentioned tigers and leopards, and some talked about steep paths and numerous demons. Xuanzang, however, said nothing; he just pointed to his heart and nodded. Curious, they asked, "Master, what do you mean by pointing to your heart and nodding?" Xuanzang replied, "When the mind arises, all kinds of demons arise; when the mind ceases, all kinds of demons cease. At Huasheng Temple, I made a great vow to the Buddha. On this journey, I must reach the West, see the Buddha, and request the scriptures, so that our Dharma wheel may turn and the Tang dynasty may prosper eternally." Hearing this, everyone was deeply impressed, praising him as the "loyal-hearted and courageous Great Dharma Master," and then invited him to rest early.
The next morning, just as the rooster crowed, the monks in the temple were already bustling about, preparing tea and breakfast. Xuanzang donned his kasaya, went to the main hall, and bowed to the Buddha, saying, "Disciple Chen Xuanzang is heading west to fetch the scriptures, but with mortal eyes, I cannot see the true form of the Buddha. Today, I vow: whenever I encounter a temple, I will burn incense; when I meet a Buddha, I will bow; when I see a pagoda, I will sweep it. I hope the Buddha will show mercy, reveal his true form early, and grant the true scriptures to be spread in the East." After saying this, he returned to the abbot's quarters for breakfast. After the meal, his two attendants packed their luggage and prepared the horse, urging him to continue the journey. Xuanzang left the mountain gate and bid farewell to the monks. Reluctantly, they escorted him for ten miles before returning with tears in their eyes. Xuanzang continued westward. It was autumn, and the scenery was: fallen leaves in the village, reed flowers flying, and maple leaves bright red. The road was misty with rain, travelers were scarce, yellow chrysanthemums were in full bloom, the mountains were clear and beautiful, the water was cold, and the lotus flowers were withered. The travelers appeared weary. The white cress and red smartweed were as pure as snow in the frosty sky, with lone wild geese flying in the vast sky. Wild clouds drifted, swallows flew south, and geese came from the north, their cries resonating loudly.
After several days of travel, the three of them reached Gongzhou City. The officials of Gongzhou had long heard that the imperial envoy and monk were going to see the Buddha in the West, and they respectfully welcomed them into the city. After resting for a night, they left the city early the next morning to continue their journey. They traveled, eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty, resting at night and setting off at dawn. After two or three more days, they arrived at Hezhou Guard, the frontier of the Tang dynasty. The general defending the border and the local monks and Taoists, upon hearing that the imperial envoy and monk were going to see the Buddha in the West, showed great respect, hosted them, and invited them to rest at Fuyuan Temple. The monks there came to greet them one by one and arranged for an evening meal. After the meal, Xuanzang instructed his two attendants to feed the horses well and prepare to set off before dawn.
As the rooster crowed, Xuanzang woke his attendants, inadvertently waking the monks in the temple, who then bustled about preparing tea and breakfast. After breakfast, Xuanzang set off, leaving the frontier. Anxious to continue, he departed before dawn, as it was late autumn and the roosters crowed early, around the fourth watch of the night. The three of them, along with a horse, journeyed under the clear frost and bright moon for dozens of miles until they came upon a mountain ridge. They had to push through the grass to find the path. The road was rugged and difficult, and they feared taking the wrong route. While hesitating, they suddenly lost their footing, and all three, along with the horse, tumbled into a pit. Xuanzang was panicked, and his attendants were terrified. Just as they were frightened, they heard someone inside shouting, "Catch them! Catch them!" Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and fifty or sixty demons emerged, grabbing Xuanzang and his attendants. Xuanzang, trembling, stole a glance and saw a demon king sitting above, looking fierce and terrifying. Truly, he was: majestic and imposing, with a powerful presence, eyes like lightning, and a voice like thunder shaking the four directions. His teeth were jagged, and his body was covered in brocade, with a mottled pattern on his back, and rare steel whiskers, claws as sharp as frost. Even the Yellow Duke of the East Sea feared him, and the White King of the Southern Mountains dared not face him. Xuanzang was scared out of his wits, and his two attendants were paralyzed with fear. The demon king ordered them to be tied up, and the demons bound the three with ropes, preparing to eat them. Suddenly, there was a commotion outside, and someone reported, "Xiong Shanjun and Te Chushi have arrived." Upon hearing this, Xuanzang looked up and saw a burly man approaching, looking: brave and full of courage, with a sturdy build, wading through water with fierce strength, and showing his might in the forest. Behind him followed a chubby man, appearing: with a double-horned crown, standing tall with shoulders raised, wearing a steady blue robe, and walking with slow steps.
The two fellows staggered in, causing the demon king to rush out to greet them in a hurry. Xiong Shanjun said, "General Yin, how have you been lately? Congratulations, congratulations!" Te Chushi also remarked, "General Yin, you look even more impressive than before, truly delightful!" The demon king politely asked, "How have you two been?" Shanjun replied, "Just living steadily." Te Chushi added, "Taking things as they come." The three of them chatted enthusiastically, laughter filling the air.
Meanwhile, the tied-up attendants were crying out in pain. The burly man asked, "What's the story with these three?" The demon king replied, "They delivered themselves here." Te Chushi, with a smile, suggested, "How about treating them nicely?" The demon king replied, "Of course, of course!" Xiong Shanjun proposed, "No need to eat them all—let's eat two and keep one." The demon king agreed and immediately ordered his men to cut open the two attendants, remove their hearts, and chop them into pieces. The heads and hearts were offered to the two guests, the limbs were for himself, and the rest was distributed among the other demons. The sounds of munching echoed, reminiscent of tigers devouring lambs, and in the blink of an eye, they were done. Poor Tang Sanzang was nearly frightened to death; this was the first major trouble he encountered after leaving Chang'an.
Just as Tang Sanzang was in a state of panic, the eastern sky began to brighten. The two monsters left only when daylight broke, saying, "Sorry for the disturbance today; we'll definitely repay you properly another day." Then they retreated together. Before long, the sun had risen.
Tang Sanzang, feeling dazed and unable to distinguish east from west, was in despair when he suddenly saw an old man approaching with a cane. As the old man came closer, he waved his hand, and the ropes binding Tang Sanzang snapped. He then blew a breath towards Tang Sanzang, who finally woke up and hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you, old sir, for saving my life!" The old man returned the courtesy, saying, "Get up quickly. Did you lose anything?" Tang Sanzang replied, "My attendants were eaten by demons, and I don't know where my luggage and horse are." The old man pointed with his cane to a distant spot and said, "Isn't that your horse and bags over there?" Tang Sanzang turned around and saw that nothing was missing, which calmed him somewhat. He asked, "Old sir, what is this place? How did you come to be here?" The old man replied, "This is Double Fork Ridge, a place where fierce beasts roam. How did you fall in here?" Tang Sanzang explained, "I left Hezhou Guard before dawn, but I set out too early, walked the wrong path in the frost and dew, and fell in here. A demon king tied me up, then Xiong Shanjun and Te Chushi came and ate my attendants. They left only at daybreak. I am truly fortunate that you came to rescue me." The old man said, "Te Chushi is a wild ox demon, Shanjun is a bear demon, and General Yin is a tiger demon. The other monsters are mountain spirits, tree ghosts, and wolves. Because of your pure nature, they couldn't eat you. Come with me, I'll lead you back to the road." Tang Sanzang was immensely grateful, packed his bags onto the horse, and followed the old man out of the pit and onto the main road. He tethered his horse in the grass by the roadside and turned to thank the old man, only to see him transform into a breeze and ride away on a red-crowned white crane. A piece of paper floated down from the wind, with a poem written on it: "I am the Venus of the Western Heaven, here to save your soul. Ahead, divine help awaits; do not resent the hardships." After reading, Tang Sanzang bowed to the sky in thanks: "Many thanks to the Venus for rescuing me from this peril." After bowing, he took his horse and continued on alone. The ridge was indeed cold and windy, with rustling rainforests and babbling streams. Wildflowers were fragrant, and rocks were scattered everywhere. Deer and apes gathered in groups, and roes and muntjacs formed herds. Birdsong was loud, and human traces were scarce. Tang Sanzang felt uneasy, and his horse was exhausted. He pushed forward with all his might, climbing steep ridges. After walking for half a day without seeing a single person, he was hungry, and the road was difficult. In this critical moment, two fierce tigers roared ahead, while several long snakes coiled behind. Poisonous insects were on the left, and strange beasts on the right. Tang Sanzang was alone and helpless, resigned to fate. His horse was so tired that it knelt down, unable to move. Tang Sanzang was in utter misery, thinking he was surely doomed. Just then, the poisonous insects fled, the monsters flew away, the fierce tigers vanished, and the long snakes disappeared. Tang Sanzang looked up and saw a man holding a steel fork, with a bow and arrows at his waist, emerging from the hillside. Indeed, he was a valiant man. Look at him: wearing a leopard-skin hat, dressed in brocade, with a lion belt around his waist, and deerskin boots on his feet. His eyes were like those of a guest at a hanging, and his beard was like river reeds. Carrying a bow and arrows, holding a steel fork, his thunderous voice frightened mountain creatures, and his bravery scared wild pheasants. As he approached, Tang Sanzang knelt by the roadside, calling for help: "Great hero, save me!" The man came closer, put down his steel fork, helped Tang Sanzang up, and said, "Elder, don't be afraid. I'm not a bad person; I'm a hunter in these mountains, named Liu Boqin, also known as the Protector of the Mountain. I just came to hunt some mountain beasts and unexpectedly encountered you. I apologize for any offense." Tang Sanzang said, "I am a monk sent by the Tang dynasty to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven. As soon as I arrived here, I was surrounded by wolves, tigers, snakes, and insects, unable to move forward. Fortunately, you came, and all the beasts fled, saving me. Thank you!" Boqin said, "I live here, making a living by hunting wolves and tigers, and catching snakes and insects, so the beasts fear me. Since you're from the Tang dynasty, we're fellow countrymen. This is still Tang territory, and I'm a citizen of Tang. We're of the same nation. Don't be afraid; come with me, rest at my place, and I'll see you off tomorrow." Hearing this, Tang Sanzang was overjoyed, thanked Boqin, and followed him with his horse.
Just as they crossed the hill, they suddenly heard the sound of wind. Boqin said, "Elder, don't go any further, sit here for a moment. That wind sound means a mountain cat is coming; I'll catch it for your meal." Hearing this, Tang Sanzang's heart tightened again, and he dared not move. Boqin, holding his steel fork, strode forward.
Sure enough, a striped fierce tiger came crashing towards them. Upon seeing Boqin, it immediately turned to flee. Boqin shouted angrily, "Where are you running?" The tiger, seeing no escape, suddenly turned and pounced. The two engaged in a fierce fight at the bottom of the hill. Tang Sanzang was so frightened that he collapsed onto the grass. This monk had never witnessed such a dangerous scene since birth. The protector and the fierce tiger fought fiercely at the bottom of the hill, truly a spectacle. The protector was full of anger, and the fierce tiger charged like a gale. One wielded a steel fork, the other bared its fangs and claws, fighting for a whole hour. Finally, the tiger, exhausted, was pierced in the chest by the protector's fork, blood gushing out as it fell dead. Boqin dragged the tiger by the ears, pulled it onto the road, and calmly said to Tang Sanzang, "Today was lucky; this mountain cat will be enough for the elder to eat for a few days."
Tang Sanzang praised endlessly, "You are truly a mountain god, Protector!" Boqin humbly replied, "It's nothing; it's all due to your blessings, Elder. Come, let's quickly skin the tiger and cook the meat to give you a proper meal." With one hand holding the steel fork and the other dragging the tiger, he led the way forward. Tang Sanzang followed with his horse. As they crossed the hillside, they suddenly saw a mountain villa. In front of it, ancient trees towered, entwined with vines, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. When Boqin reached the entrance, he threw down the dead tiger and called out, "Servants, come out!" Three or four servants, who looked rather peculiar, came forward and dragged the tiger away. Boqin instructed them to quickly skin it and prepare to entertain their guest. He then welcomed Tang Sanzang into the house. Tang Sanzang once again bowed to thank Boqin for saving his life, to which Boqin replied, "There's no need for formalities between fellow countrymen." After they sat down and had tea, Boqin's mother and wife came to greet him. Boqin introduced them, saying, "This is my mother and my wife." Tang Sanzang greeted them, saying, "Please, madam, take a seat. I offer my humble thanks." The old woman said, "Elder, you've come from afar. Take care of yourself; there's no need for formalities." Boqin explained, "Mother, he is a monk sent by the Tang Emperor to fetch scriptures from the Western Heaven. I met him on the mountain and, thinking we're from the same country, invited him to rest here and will see him off tomorrow." The old woman was delighted to hear this, "Good, good! It just so happens that tomorrow is your father's memorial day. We can ask the Elder to do some good deeds and recite scriptures, and we'll send him off the day after tomorrow." Although Boqin was skilled at hunting tigers, he was also very filial. Hearing his mother's suggestion, he began preparing incense and paper, inviting Tang Sanzang to stay the night.
As they spoke, evening approached. The servants set the table and brought out several plates of steaming tiger meat. Boqin invited Tang Sanzang to make do with some food first and promised to prepare proper meals later. Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha! To be honest, Protector, I have been a monk since childhood and have never eaten meat." Hearing this, Boqin pondered for a moment and said, "Our family has never eaten vegetarian food. We only have some bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, dried vegetables, and tofu, all fried in the fat of deer, elk, or tigers. There's really no vegetarian food available. Even the pots and stoves are greasy. What should we do? I fear I'm not treating you well." Tang Sanzang replied, "Protector, please don't worry. Do as you please. I can endure not eating for three to five days, but I must not break my vow." Boqin asked, "What if you starve to death?" Tang Sanzang answered, "I am grateful to you, Protector, for saving me from the tiger's mouth. Even if I starve to death, it's better than being fed to a tiger." Boqin's mother overheard and said, "Son, don't argue with the Elder. I have some vegetarian food to offer." Boqin asked, "Where did the vegetarian food come from?" His mother replied, "Never mind that; I have my ways." She instructed her daughter-in-law to take down a small pot, burn off the grease, clean it thoroughly, and place it back on the stove. She boiled half a pot of water, brewed tea with elm leaves from the mountain, cooked some millet, and prepared dried vegetables, serving two bowls on the table. The old woman said to Tang Sanzang, "Elder, please partake; this is a simple meal prepared by my daughter-in-law and me." Tang Sanzang thanked them and sat down to eat. Boqin set up another table full of wild game and accompanied Tang Sanzang during the meal. As they sat, Tang Sanzang clasped his hands and recited scriptures. Boqin didn't dare touch his chopsticks and stood up quickly. Tang Sanzang recited a few lines before saying, "Please, partake of the meal." Boqin asked, "Are you a monk who recites short scriptures?" Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "It's not a scripture; it's a meal blessing." Boqin remarked, "You monks have so many rituals, even chanting before meals."
After finishing the vegetarian meal and cleaning up, the sky grew darker. Boqin took Tang Sanzang for a walk in the backyard, where they followed a small path to a thatched pavilion. Opening the door, they found the place adorned with strong bows and crossbows, several quivers of arrows, and two blood-stained tiger skins hanging from the beams. The corners were piled with spears, knives, forks, and clubs, and there were two chairs in the center. Boqin invited Tang Sanzang to sit. Seeing these weapons, Tang Sanzang felt a bit uneasy and didn't dare stay long, so he left the pavilion. They continued walking to a large garden filled with chrysanthemums and maple trees, their colors vibrant. Suddenly, over a dozen plump deer and a group of yellow roes leaped out from the bushes. Seeing people, they stood there foolishly, unafraid. Tang Sanzang smiled and said, "These deer and roes must be raised by you, Protector." Boqin replied, "Just like in Chang'an, where the wealthy collect treasures and landlords hoard grain, we hunters raise wild animals for rainy days." As they chatted and walked, night fell, and they returned to the front yard to rest.
Early the next morning, Boqin's entire family got up to prepare a vegetarian meal to host Tang Sanzang and invited him to recite scriptures. Tang Sanzang washed his hands and, together with Boqin, burned incense and paid respects in the family hall. Tang Sanzang then struck the wooden fish and began with the mantra for purifying speech, followed by the incantation for cleansing body and mind, and then recited the "Sutra for Deliverance of the Dead." After finishing, Boqin requested him to write a memorial for the deceased and recite the "Diamond Sutra" and "Avalokiteshvara Sutra," each word resonating clearly. After completing the recitations, they had a midday meal, followed by the "Lotus Sutra" and the "Amitabha Sutra," each read in several volumes. He also recited a volume of the "Peacock Sutra," which tells the story of the monk washing away sins. As the day darkened again, they offered incense and burned the memorial paper, concluding the Buddhist rites, and everyone retired for the night.
Speaking of Boqin's father, his soul was able to escape suffering due to the religious rites performed for him. That night, he appeared in a dream to his family, saying, "I have been suffering in the underworld, unable to be reborn. Now, thanks to the holy monk's recitations, my sins have been absolved, and King Yama has sent someone to guide me to be reborn into a wealthy family. You must properly thank the Elder and not neglect this duty." Indeed, it is said: "All dharmas are solemn with meaning; recommending the dead to leave suffering and rise from the depths." When the family awoke, the sun had already risen. Boqin's wife said, "Protector, last night I dreamed that father-in-law returned home. He said he had been suffering in the underworld, but thanks to the holy monk's rites, he was absolved of his sins. King Yama has sent someone to guide him to be reborn. He told us to properly thank the Elder. After saying this, he left, and we couldn't call him back or keep him. When I woke up, I realized it was a dream." Boqin replied, "I had the same dream and was just about to tell Mother." As they were about to speak, they heard the old mother calling, "Boqin, come here, I have something to say." The two went over, and the old mother, sitting on the bed, said, "I also had a good dream last night. I dreamed that your father returned and said that thanks to the Elder's rites, his sins were absolved, and he has gone to be reborn into a wealthy family." The couple laughed heartily, "My wife and I also had this dream and were just about to report it. We didn't expect Mother to have dreamed it too." So they called the whole family to get up, prepared to thank Tang Sanzang, and after preparing the horse, they all bowed in gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Elder, for delivering our late father from suffering and helping him to be reborn. We are eternally grateful!" Tang Sanzang humbly replied, "I have no special abilities; there's no need to be so formal."
Boqin recounted the details of the three dreams to Tang Sanzang, who was also delighted. In the morning, they offered a vegetarian meal and prepared a small amount of silver as a token of thanks, but Tang Sanzang refused to accept any of it. Despite the family's sincere pleas, Tang Sanzang insisted on not accepting anything, saying only, "I am already very grateful that you are willing to accompany me on my journey." Boqin and his mother and wife, having no other choice, prepared some provisions for Boqin to take on the journey. Tang Sanzang gladly accepted them. Boqin, following his orders, gathered two or three servants and, armed with hunting gear, set off together. Along the way, the wild mountain scenery was boundless and beautiful. After traveling for half a day, they saw a great mountain ahead, towering into the clouds and extremely steep. Tang Sanzang soon reached the foot of the mountain. Boqin, walking as if on flat ground, climbed halfway up the mountain, then turned back and stood by the roadside, saying, "Elder, you must proceed on your own from here; this is as far as I can accompany you." Hearing this, Tang Sanzang quickly dismounted and said, "Protector, please accompany me a bit further!" Boqin replied, "Elder, you may not know, but this mountain is called the Mountain of Two Realms. To the east is the land of the Tang Dynasty, and to the west is the territory of the Tartars. The wolves and tigers on that side do not heed my command, and I cannot go beyond this point. You must be careful on your own." Tang Sanzang felt a bit afraid and held onto Boqin's sleeve, reluctant to part. Just as they were about to say their farewells, they suddenly heard someone shouting at the foot of the mountain, "My master has arrived! My master has arrived!" The shout startled Tang Sanzang, leaving him frozen in place, and Boqin was equally surprised. Who could be shouting? Stay tuned for the next installment.
