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

Chapter 193: Zen is the only way to realize one’s true nature, Western Jizhou

In the main hall, the real person talked with Tathagata for a long time. The real person's Dharma was becoming more and more successful, and the way he talked with Tathagata Buddha was very different from the past. The real person's Dharma could benefit Tathagata Buddha, and Tathagata Buddha's words also made the real person understand a lot.

After a long time, a monk who was offering sacrifices to the gods came into the temple and said, "Venerable Muni, the Buddha of Wisdom has arrived outside the temple."

The Tathagata then asked, "True Man, should I call the Buddha of Wisdom here, or should I go outside to see the Buddha of Wisdom?"

Jiang Yuan said: "We dare not occupy the main hall, so we will go outside to meet our junior brother."

Say it.

The Immortal said farewell to Tathagata and walked out of the Main Hall. As soon as he left the hall, he saw Zhenjian outside. Compared with the past, the magical power in Zhenjian's body was more mysterious now. It was at Lingshan that he gained some insights from his practice and infinite light appeared in his body.

Zhen Jianben didn't know why the Buddha called him, and he was puzzled, but unexpectedly he saw Jiang Yuan walking out of the palace.

Zhen Jian hurried forward to pay his respects and asked happily, "Big Brother! Why is it you?"

Jiang Yuan helped Zhen Jian up and replied, "I was traveling in Jizhou, South Continent, and I felt something in my heart. I didn't know what to do when you entered Lingshan, so I came to Lingshan. I never thought that you, my junior brother, would become a Buddha."

Zhen Jian said, "Junior brother, thank you for your concern. I feel that my cultivation in the palace has been slow, and I saw that the Buddha had sent a golden order to invite me, so I entered Lingshan to become a Buddha. I only hope that I can cultivate and help my elder brother in the future."

Jiang Yuan said: "Brother, why do you say that? Since the Dharma in your body is growing very slowly, entering Lingshan Mountain can help you practice. This is a good thing. Don't talk about helping me. As long as you practice, it will be enough."

Zhen Jian said: "Since you are here to look for me, I hope you can help me find a quiet place, and then we can talk."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "We will return to Fangcun Mountain. I have already told the Venerable that the place where you practice is Fangcun Mountain."

Zhen Jianxi said: "Thank you for not abandoning me, Senior Brother. I will return to Fangcun Mountain."

While the two were talking, Jiang Yuan wanted to take Zhenjian back to Fangcun Mountain, but before leaving, they both went into the Main Hall to bid farewell to Tathagata Buddha.

The Tathagata Buddha knew what they meant and said, "True Man, Wisdom Buddha, you two may leave, but when the pilgrims are conferred titles, Wisdom Buddha must not forget to return to Lingshan to bear witness together."

Zhenjian clasped his hands and said, "Among those seeking the scriptures there is also my fellow apprentice, so he will come back soon."

The Tathagata Buddha said: "In this case, please let the Wisdom Buddha go. From now on, the Wisdom Buddha will practice in Fangcun Mountain."

Zhenjian thanked Tathagata Buddha and walked out. Jiang Yuan also bowed and left with Zhenjian.

The two of them met up with Bull Demon King outside the Main Hall, and they returned to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain together.

After returning to Fangcun Mountain, Jiang Yuan paid a visit to the founder, had a long talk with Zhenjian, and talked about the story of Wukong. Then he went to Jizhou in the southern continent.

In Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, in Xieyue Sanxing Cave, in the master’s quiet room, I really saw off the immortal and then came here to pay a visit to the master.

Zhen Jian entered the room, knelt down and bowed deeply, saying, "Disciple greets Master."

The master flicked his sleeves lightly, a gentle breeze blew, and he helped Zhenjian up, saying with a smile: "Zhenjian, you are now a Buddha, why are you still performing such a great ceremony to me?"

Zhenjian shook his head and said, "Master, I will never forget your kindness. Even if I become a Buddha, I am still your disciple. Besides, if your disciple becomes a Buddha, then you are not a Buddha master."

The master said, "Don't talk nonsense. How dare you say 'Buddha master'?"

Zhenjian replied, "Master, your power is profound. Now I am a Buddha, and in the future, Junior Brother Wukong will also be a Buddha. It is fine for Master to be called a Buddha Master."

The master shook his head and said, "Don't say that. Zhenjian, you are now a Buddha, but you must not be arrogant. You are now a Buddha, but your heart is not yet a Buddha. Do you understand?"

Zhen Jiandao said: "Master, I know it, and I dare not forget it. This Buddha name is just a name. Buddha should be in the heart, just like what the senior brother said. It is Zen to understand the mind and see the nature. This way does not establish words. To cultivate the mind is to be a Buddha. I will use my heart to reflect my body, and I will never let arrogance arise in my heart."

The master said, "That's good. You can practice with peace of mind."

Zhen Jian then bowed and said, "Master, I dare not disturb you any further. I will come back to see you together when my brothers and sisters come back tomorrow."

The master asked, "Has Wukong reached Lingshan?"

Zhenjian replied, "I heard from my senior brother that Junior Brother Wukong has reached the border of Tianzhu Country, and the Holy Mountain is just before us. After a while, Junior Brother Wukong will be able to enter the Holy Mountain."

The master asked, "Has Wukong's practice improved?"

Zhen Jian said: "Master, I have never met Junior Brother Wukong, so I don't know how Junior Brother Wukong's practice is going, but I heard from Senior Brother that Junior Brother Wukong also has spiritual appearances and is becoming more and more successful in practice."

The master nodded and smiled, "It is enough if you can make progress."

The master said no more and asked Zhenjian to leave and practice in his mansion.

Zhenjian bowed and left, bid farewell to the master, and returned to his quiet room. While practicing, he did not forget to look after Chongyang and help him solve his problems in practice.

……

Talk about the Qingsong River in Jizhou.

Jiang Yuan and Bull Demon King returned here again, entered the Water Palace, and reunited with Zuo Liang. When they heard Zuo Liang coming to ask, the immortal had no intention of hiding anything and told him the story of his junior brother who became a Buddha at Lingshan.

Zuo Liang was deeply impressed when he heard this and said, "Master, your school is indeed a school of immortals. Master is already an immortal, and your junior fellow disciple is also a Buddha. It is really amazing. No wonder there is such an immortal like you." Jiang Yuan said, "Even if you are a disciple of an immortal, you still have to be willing to learn. Otherwise, if you are unwilling to learn, or have never put your heart into it, and your mind is unstable, then even if you learn like that, you will not be able to learn the way of freedom from a disciple of an immortal."

Zuo Liang asked in surprise, "Sir, are there really people in this world who become disciples of immortals but never put their heart into learning?"

Jiang Yuan said: "Since you asked, there must be something."

Zuo Liang said: "It is really a waste of nature's gifts. Many people in the world envy immortality, so if a rich family offers a huge sum of money, they can get a chance to become a disciple of an immortal. Those rich families will also rush to offer their money. How could it be that there are still people who have the chance to become a disciple of an immortal, but are unwilling to study hard."

Jiang Yuan smiled without saying anything, and asked the Dragon King beside him to prepare a quiet room for him. He went in to meditate for a while, and then walked around Jizhou again.

In the main hall of the Water Palace, Zuo Liang was puzzled when he saw the Immortal leaving.

The Bull Demon King ate the fruit and said, "Old Zuo, this is not as simple as you think."

Zuo Liang stood up and bowed, "Please teach me, Master Niu."

The Bull Demon King said: "It is useless to talk too much. Just remember your heart. You are now following the Taoist immortal to practice cultivation. Don't become someone who is unwilling to study with all your heart."

After saying this, the Bull Demon King just enjoyed his tea, meal and fruit at the table and stopped talking.

Zuo Liang sat at the table, deep in thought.

Time flies, and before I know it, seven or eight days have passed.

During this day, Jiang Yuan left the Water Palace, thanked the Dragon King for his hospitality, and traveled in Jizhou again with Zuo Liang and the Bull Demon King.

The Dragon King thanked the Immortal again and again and accompanied him for ten miles.

When they reached a mountain, the Immortal stopped the white deer and said, "Dragon King, you don't need to escort us any further. We can stop here."

The Dragon King then stopped and said, "I will never forget your kindness, Immortal. But if Immortal has any orders, and you let me know through the words of truth, I will lead the Qingsong River sailors to help."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "There's no need to say that, but if you can keep the place peaceful, that's already a thank you to me, and you can go back now."

The immortal taught Bull Demon King to lead the deer and move forward. The Dragon King saw him and bid farewell. The group was about to separate when they suddenly saw the Ji Ding on the immortal's waist vibrate slightly, and there was a faint feeling of pulling, and it also led the immortal to the west of Jizhou.

When the Dragon King saw the Ji Ding, he recognized its origin and bowed, saying, "I never thought that you would have such a sacred object as Jizhou. I have heard about the Nine Dings, which were cast by King Yu in the past and lost long ago. Now I see them in your possession."

Jiang Yuan said: "It's a matter of fate. Dragon King, do you know what strange things happened in Jixi?"

The Dragon King heard this, thought for a moment, and said, "We have never heard of any strange things happening in the western part of Jizhou. There is one evil spirit causing trouble, but it is not a strange thing."

Jiang Yuan asked, "How do you say evil spirits are causing trouble?"

The Dragon King replied, "Master, to the west of Jizhou there is a river called 'Fen'. In it lives a monster with great abilities and magical powers. Its true form is a dragon. It often eats people and causes trouble for fun. Because it has done so many evil things, it knows it cannot transform into a dragon, so it has been using the form of a dragon to wreak havoc. Many people in western Jizhou have suffered from it."

Jiang Yuan said: "Is there no one who can subdue such a demon?"

The Dragon King shook his head and said, "I don't know, Immortal, a deity has already subdued it, but that evil dragon is very good at water, so if it is defeated, it will dive into the water. The Fen River is vast, connecting to the Yellow River and the sea mouth. It is difficult to catch it if it dives into it."

Jiang Yuan was still thinking.

The Bull Demon King stepped forward and asked, "Dragon King, you and the Ao brothers from the Four Seas can't catch a dragon, right? If we talk about water skills, you have to win."

The Dragon King waved his hands and said, "You can't catch it. You can't catch it. That dragon is a vicious one."

Jiang Yuan said, "In that case, Niu'er, let's go to the Fen River."

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King knew that the Immortal was going to subdue the demon, so he bowed deeply to him.

Jiang Yuan said nothing more and told the Dragon King to leave.

The Dragon King then bid farewell to the Immortal and returned to Qingsong River.

Bull Demon King led the white deer to the west of Ji and said, "Master, shall we go to Fenshui to subdue the evil dragon?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "I don't know yet, let's go take a look first."

The Bull Demon King shouted, "Master, you are right. To tell the truth, the one who caused the trouble was an evil dragon. In the past, when I, the old bull, and my dear brother Wukong, were playing around, we became sworn brothers. There was also an evil dragon among us. That guy was also very powerful. After my dear brother Wukong caused a disturbance in the Heavenly Palace, they scattered. I don't know where they are now, but I think they are in Beijuluzhou."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Why do you still accept these marriages?"

The Bull Demon King shook his head and said, "No, no. We were just sworn brothers at that time, how can you take it seriously? When my dear brother Wukong was in trouble and no one came to help, I knew that these brothers were useless."

Zuo Liang said, "There are countless cases of brothers fighting against each other. It is common to see brothers who claim to be brothers but can draw swords against each other for a few coins. Such brotherhood is too fake, and there are very few who are willing to trust their lives to each other."

The Bull Demon King smiled and said, "My dear brother Wukong and I have a true friendship."

While they were talking, they happily headed towards the western part of Jizhou.

(End of this chapter)