Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 110: External Dan Dao, Numbers of Heaven and Earth

It is said that Jiang Yuan went up to the heaven with Laojun and walked to the South Gate of the First Heaven. In front of the gate, he saw Heavenly King Zhangda leading the generals Pang, Liu, Gou, Bi and the other powerful heavenly soldiers, using spears, swords, and halberds to block the gate.

The King of Heaven raised his head and took a closer look, and saw that the leader was a real person with an immortal appearance. This real person was leading a green ox, and on the ox sat an old man, surrounded by purple air. It must be the distinguished person who had arrived.

"Laojun!"

The Heavenly King was so frightened that he fell down, and then he, along with the other generals, stepped forward to pay his respects to the Taoist Ancestor.

Taishang Laojun smiled and said, "Open the door, this is the Guangxin Zhenren, follow me to heaven."

The King of Heaven dared not disobey, so he opened the door and let Laojun in.

Laojun sent the green ox to enter the Heavenly Gate. Jiang Yuan paid homage to the Heavenly King before walking into the Heavenly Gate.

The immortal entered the Heavenly Gate and ascended to the heaven for the first time. He looked up and saw in front of him 'a myriad of golden lights rolling red neon, and a thousand auspicious auras emitting purple mist'. He saw auspicious clouds coming and going, and on the auspicious clouds were the Heavenly Marshal and the gods in golden armor, looking very majestic. Looking further ahead, there were famous flowers that had not fallen for thousands of years and auspicious grasses that were evergreen for tens of millions of years. They were exquisite and translucent, and looked like indescribable blue glass.

There is a saying that goes, "There are all kinds of strange objects in heaven, but there is nothing like them in the world." This is exactly the case.

Jiang Yuan was dazzled. He looked around, then looked away, his heart as calm as water, and walked forward with Qianniu.

The old man rode on a green ox and asked, "Why, Guangxin, there are not many rare treasures in this heaven?"

Jiang Yuan stopped and bowed, saying, "Laojun, there is no other place like the Heavenly Palace in the world, and it has so many rare treasures."

Laojun smiled and said, "Since there are so many rare treasures, why don't I let you see more? If there is anything you like, I will talk to the Jade Emperor and give it to you."

Jiang Yuan replied, "Laojun, wealth and honor are fascinating, and the heavenly palace is magnificent, but I am devoted to cultivation. There is a saying that 'if you follow different paths, you cannot work together', but my path is different from wealth and honor, so I have never looked at it."

Laojun said: "It is true that his Tao heart is unshakable. There are many people in the world of Jambu who are about to achieve Taoism. They enter the heaven, but are blinded by wealth and honor, which disrupts their practice and leads to failure at the last moment."

Jiang Yuan said: "Laojun, if this is the case, why don't you ask the Heavenly Court to take away the jewels and precious aura?"

Laojun laughed and said, "Guangxin, how do you know this is not the door to heaven? How can a person who is obsessed with wealth and fame enter heaven?"

Jiang Yuan pondered for a long time, then bowed and said, "I appreciate your teaching."

Laojun smiled and pointed the way for Jiang Yuan. The real person led the green ox and went outside the thirty-three heavens. During the journey, they saw many heavenly palaces, including the Naiqianyun Palace, the Bisha Palace, the Wuming Palace, the Taiyang Palace, the Huale Palace, the Yunluo Palace, the Wuhao Palace, etc. Then they saw many treasure halls, including the Chaohui Hall, the Lingxu Hall, the Baoguang Hall, the Tianwang Hall, the Lingguan Hall, the Tongming Hall, the Jieyin Hall, the Xuanhua Hall, etc.

Laojun led Jiang Yuan to the thirty-three heavens, to the Tushita Palace in the Lihen Heaven.

Walking into the palace, he saw numerous palaces filled with elixir fragrance, which awakened Jiang Yuan's mind. Looking elsewhere, he saw two servant boys coming out from afar to greet Laojun.

The old man got off the blue ox, handed the ox rope to the boy, and said, "Please take the ox back to the shed and have the ox-watching boy keep a close eye on it so that it doesn't get away."

The two boys took the order and led the green ox away.

Laojun then went into the palace with Jiang Yuan. As they walked into the courtyard, all the immortal children, immortal generals, immortal officials, and immortal clerks came to pay their respects to the protagonist.

Jiang Yuan roughly recalled that there were more than a hundred people there.

Laojun waved his hand and told everyone to do their job. He brought Jiang Yuan into the central hall, set a banquet to welcome him, and had fairy children serve him scented tea. After that, they withdrew and did not dare to disturb him.

Jiang Yuan said: "There are countless immortals in Laojun Palace."

Laojun said: "In the past, the monkey made trouble in the Heavenly Palace and kicked over the Eight Trigrams Furnace. Many sects were banished, but now there are only a few."

Jiang Yuan thought that he was surprised by what he had seen. Taishang Laojun was the ancestor of Taoism, so how could he describe all the immortals in the palace?

Laojun said: "Guangxin, Bodhi has sent you here to learn the magical power of alchemy. I wonder what you know about alchemy?"

Jiang Yuan asked, "I don't know what Laojun means by refining the elixir. If you mean refining the elixir, I only know about making the golden elixir."

Laojun smiled and said, "What I said is the golden elixir."

Jiang Yuan heard this and asked, "Laojun, is this golden elixir the holy fetus?"

Laojun shook his head and said: "This golden elixir is an external golden elixir, not the holy fetus in the Niwan Palace."

Jiang Yuan asked, "What about the external golden elixir?"

Laojun said: "In the theory of alchemy, there are internal and external elixirs. All elixirs that are not in the body are external elixirs. There are many types of external elixirs, and their effects are different. For example, the fire elixir can make people sleepy, but it also has a nourishing effect."

Jiang Yuan suddenly understood what he said and asked, "Laojun, can the external golden elixir make people achieve enlightenment like the internal elixir?"

Laojun stroked his beard and smiled, "If that's true, wouldn't that mean there are many people who have achieved enlightenment?"

Jiang Yuan said: "If that's the case, what's the use of the external golden elixir?"

Laojun said: "The external golden elixir is used to help people. If you take one pill, you can live for an unknown number of years. If you take one pill a year, and take it for 99 times, and then complete your merits and deeds, you will be half-successful and enter the heaven."

Jiang Yuan said: "External golden elixir can help people, how can it be called supernatural power?"

This is because the real person has obtained the golden elixir for a long time, so the holy fetus resides in the Niwan, and the immortal body is flawless. Why does he need the external golden elixir this time? It is definitely not enough to use supernatural powers to explain this way.

Laojun smiled and said: "This is not the theory of alchemy supernatural power. In order to learn all the supernatural powers, you must master the outer alchemy skills. Only then can you learn this supernatural power. Otherwise, you can't succeed. So you must broaden your mind and learn the outer alchemy skills."

Jiang Yuan suddenly realized and bowed, "Laojun, I now understand. I hope Laojun will show me great mercy and teach me the way of external alchemy. I will remember Laojun's deep kindness and will never forget it."

Laojun helped the immortal up and said, "Since I have brought you back to heaven, I will teach you. This way is not easy, so you should take it to heart."

Jiang Yuan nodded deeply.

Lao Jun said, "I must ask you a question before I can tell you."

Jiang Yuan said: "Just ask Laojun, I will tell you everything I know."

Lao Jun said: "In the past, I taught you the numbers of heaven and earth. Do you still remember?"

Jiang Yuan pondered for a long time and replied: "The number of heaven and earth is that the distance between heaven and earth is 84,000, and the rise and fall of the air and liquid of heaven and earth is 360. The number of heaven and earth is consistent with that of human beings, so human beings complete the number of heaven and earth."

Laojun laughed and said, "How can we explain the destiny of human life and heaven and earth?"

Jiang Yuan answered again: "Humans have 84,000 Xuanfu, the heart and kidney are 8.4 inches apart, there are 360 ​​bones, 360 acupoints, and so on."

Xuanfu refers to the pores.

Laojun said: "I am worried that Guangxin will forget all this when he becomes a Taoist. If Guangxin remembers everything, I will feel at ease. In this case, I will give you a book. You read it in full and I will teach you the art of external alchemy. After you have learned all the art of external alchemy, you can then learn the magical power of 'alchemy'."

Jiang Yuan expressed his gratitude and bowed to Laojun.

Laojun then took out a book, handed it to Jiang Yuan, and asked a fairy boy to take the immortal to a room to have a good rest, and told him to come to find him when he had finished reading it.

Jiang Yuanfang left with the fairy boy.

……

The fairy boy brought Jiang Yuan into the Taoist room. The immortal went in and saw that there were all kinds of things such as futons and beds. He turned around and thanked them.

The fairy boy panicked and said, "Master, you don't have to thank me. I am just a boy and I cannot bear your respect."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Xian Tong is also a person who has heard the truth, so how can he not bear the responsibility?"

Haven't you heard that those who hear the Tao are all one and the same, with no distinction between first and last?

The fairy boy said, "In this case, I dare to call you Senior Brother. Please don't be offended."

It is just like the saying "the one who is more advanced is the elder brother".

Jiang Yuan smiled and agreed.

The fairy boy said: "Brother, you should take a good rest. If you need anything, please tell me. I will make sure that you will not be disturbed by external things and can practice with all your heart." Jiang Yuan said: "In that case, thank you very much, brother."

The fairy boy didn't dare to disturb them anymore, so he left the Taoist room and closed the door.

Jiang Yuan watched him leave, then sat cross-legged on the cushion, took a book and flipped through it, reading it carefully.

This book records the whole number of heaven and earth in the human body, and also teaches the theory of yin and yang. Most of the theories in the book are known by real people, such as the origin of the four medicines in the body, which are innate medicines. Therefore, there is this medicine before there is this body, and the four medicines come from the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.

The theory of yin and yang refers to existence and non-existence, sun and moon, life and death, heaven and earth, and so on.

There is a saying that 'before a person is born, his image is Qian. After ten months in the mother's womb, when the melon is ripe and the vine falls off, the person is born. When he is born, his body is soft like cotton, and his image changes to Kun. Once his umbilical cord is cut, he is no longer congenital. Then the acquired qi enters through the mouth and nose, and his eyes open. The heart monkey carries the medicine up to the heart palace, the will horse carries the medicine down to the kidney water, the wood mother carries the medicine and hides it in the liver, the gold man carries the medicine and hides it in the lungs, and the yellow woman sits firmly in the center palace'. This is the origin of the human body, and it is also said in the book that from nothing to something, it is called yin and yang.

When Jiang Yuan read it, he suddenly realized that he knew all kinds of things, but never in such detail. Now he understood it after reading this book.

He turned the page and looked again. This page talked about life and death.

After the birth of human body, what we see and hear gives rise to the god of consciousness and the god of desire. These two gods are the most familiar with human beings, because they are born from human beings, so these two gods know what human beings fear the most and what they like the most. When these two gods are powerful, they will definitely cause the original spirit to lose its place. This is the beginning of human death.

The two gods are in power. People grow from young to strong, strong to old, old to sick, sick to death. If the five people do not descend, the two gods are not stable, the original spirit is not manifested, and they will die. This is the theory of life and death.

Jiang Yuan read with great interest, his mind as calm as water, undisturbed by external things.

……

In the central hall, the Supreme Lord Lao was sitting here, as if he had some feelings. He looked towards where Jiang Yuan was, stroked his beard and smiled, "What a great Guangxin! This book of mine is not for those with a peaceful mind. You cannot read it. If you read it, the two gods will surely come to disturb you."

"This Guangxin Fruit is really good. It has been cultivated into a golden elixir. It does not show off, but never forgets to cultivate the mind. This is how it is today."

"Bodhi has such a disciple, and his fruit is worthy of envy."

Taishang Laojun closed his eyes and rested.

……

The immortal read for an unknown amount of time before he felt his eyes sore and stopped. He had already finished the book.

The immortal then stood up and pushed the door open, only to see an immortal child serving outside.

The fairy boy bowed and said, "Brother, what do you need?"

Jiang Yuan said, "No, I have been studying for a long time and I don't know how much time has passed, so I came to ask you."

The fairy boy said, "Today has just passed, don't worry, brother."

Jiang Yuan said: "I don't know the time, but it feels like a long time, how can I tell it's just one day?"

The fairy boy said, "Brother, you don't know that one day in heaven is one year on earth. That's why this day is a little longer."

Jiang Yuan said, "So that's the case. Junior brother, do you know where Lao Jun is? I'm going to look for him now."

The fairy boy said, "The master was born in the middle hall, and he has already instructed that if the senior brother comes to look for him, he should be brought to the middle hall."

Jiang Yuan said: "Please help me, Junior Brother, to take me there."

The fairy boy said he dared not to speak, and went to the central hall with Jiang Yuan.

After a while, the fairy boy led Jiang Yuan through the palace and into the central hall.

In the central hall, Laojun was sitting there with his eyes pretending to be closed.

Jiang Yuan stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Laojun."

Taishang Laojun raised his head and opened his eyes, and said with a smile: "Have you read the whole book, Guangxin?"

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "I have come to meet Laojun today, so I have seen the whole thing."

Laojun asked, "Really?"

Jiang Yuan said: "I dare not hide anything."

Laojun smiled and said, "Tell me now, how can we decide the life and death of a person?"

Jiang Yuan replied: "Use the yin and yang energy as a strategy."

Laojun asked, "What do you mean?"

Jiang Yuan said: "When a person is born, every thirty-two months, sixty-four qi are produced. This qi is yang qi, which generates qi. Therefore, from one to two years and eight months, sixty-four qi are produced in the body. At five years and four months, another sixty-four qi are produced. By the age of sixteen, there are a total of three hundred and eighty-four qi in the body. Twenty-four qi are the blessings of the parents and ancestors, which are distributed to the five internal organs. The other three hundred and sixty qi correspond to the number of heaven and earth. This is the number of yang, and there is also the theory of six yang."

Laojun asked with a smile: "How do you say negative numbers?"

Jiang Yuan said: "When a person is sixteen, there are 384 qi in the body. When it reaches the yang point, it is a negative number. From then on, there are countless people who have broken their bodies. From the beginning of sixteen, every ninety-six months, sixty-four qi are consumed. When the qi is exhausted, the person dies. According to the book, this is a person born in the Southern Continent. If it is from other continents, there will be differences, but it is basically the same."

Laojun clasped his hands and said, "It is indeed wisdom. Guangxin, you must remember this number of heaven and earth in the human body. The inner alchemy requires the number of heaven and earth, and the outer alchemy also requires it. The same is true for the alchemy supernatural power. This number of heaven and earth is the cornerstone of the alchemy."

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Old Lord, I will remember it by heart."

Laojun stood up and said, "Since you have memorized it, come with me to the alchemy room and I will teach you the way of external alchemy."

Jiang Yuan agreed and followed closely.

Laojun walked out of the hall.

When he reached the outside of the central hall, before he could even go to the alchemy room, a fairy boy suddenly came to report, stumbling and calling out "Master".

Laojun stopped the man and asked, "What do you mean?"

The fairy boy replied, "Master, the star Taibai Jinxing in the west is waiting outside and wants to see you."

Laojun said: "Welcome him into the main hall. Guangxin, since the Star God is here, please join me in welcoming him in the main hall."

Jiang Yuan said: "Yes."

Laojun led the immortal back to the central hall. Not long after, Taibai Jinxing came in and paid his respects to Laojun.

Laojun then invited Taibai Jinxing to take a seat.

Taibai Jinxing dared not disobey and sat down at the table. From time to time, fairy children came in, served tea and fruit, and were very polite.

Laojun then asked, "Why did the Star Lord come here?"

Taibai Jinxing looked at Jiang Yuan and said, "The Heavenly King has already reported to the Jade Emperor that the Guangxin Zhenren from the lower world has arrived. Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor wanted to see the Guangxin Zhenren and ask him to return to his position. The Jade Emperor sent me here to ask the Zhenren to see him."

Jiang Yuan was surprised when he heard this. He never expected that the Jade Emperor would invite him to meet him.

Laojun looked at Jiang Yuan and said with a smile: "Guangxin, whether to go or not is up to you."

Jiang Yuan stood up and bowed, saying, "The Jade Emperor has invited me, so I will go."

Taibai Jinxing said with a smile: "In this case, please come with me, Immortal. Although Immortal has been conferred the title of Immortal, he has not yet returned to his position, so he has not received the Immortal Scripture. If the Heavenly Ding sees it, it will easily cause trouble."

Jiang Yuan sang a yes.

Taibai Jinxing bowed to Laojun and said, "Please rest assured, Laojun. When the matter is done, I will personally escort Master Guangxin back."

Laojun smiled and said, "Since Xingjun has said so, I feel relieved and will leave now."

Taibai Jinxing said no more and walked out with Jiang Yuan to pay respect to the Jade Emperor...

(End of this chapter)