Journey to the West

98

When the Ape and the Horse Are Tamed They Cast Off Their Husks

When All the Deeds Have Been Done Reality Is Seen

The story told how after coming back to life Mr. Kou once more arranged for parasols, banners, drummers, musicians, Buddhist monks, Taoist priests, his friends and his relations to see Sanzang off again. But instead of describing this we will tell of the Tang Priest and his three disciples taking the main road. The West was indeed a land of the Buddha, unlike anywhere else. They saw precious flowers, rare grasses, ancient cypresses and hoary pines. In all the places they passed through every family was pious and fed monks. Under every mountain people cultivated their conduct; in all the forests travelers recited sutras Master and disciples took shelter each night and set out at dawn, till six or seven days later a mass of high buildings and splendid halls suddenly came into view. Truly they were:

Thrusting a hundred feet into the heavens,

Touching the Milky Way in the sky. Lower your head and see the setting sun; Put out your hand and pluck a shooting star. The spacious windows enclose the cosmos; The towering roofbeams join up with the clouds. Yellow cranes bring letters as the autumn trees grow old; Coloured phoenix epistles come in the fresh evening breeze. These are sacred and precious palaces and gates, Jeweled, intricate buildings and courtyards. In the holy halls the Way is discussed; Sutras are transmitted throughout the universe. The flowers are beautiful as they turn towards the spring; Green are the pine trees in the rain. Purple fungus and immortals' fruits ever flourish; All beings respond as red phoenixes soar.

Sanzang raised his whip and pointed with it as he said, "What a fine place, Wukong."

"Master," said Monkey, "when you were in those delusive places where you saw false images of Buddhas you insisted on prostrating yourself in front of them. But today, when you've reached the real place where there is the true image of the Buddha, you won't even dismount. What do you mean by it?" No sooner did he hear this than Sanzang sprang straight out of the saddle and went to the gateway.

A young lay brother who stood to one side of the monastery gateway called out, "You must be the people from the East who have come to fetch the scriptures." The venerable elder quickly straightened his clothes and raised his head to look around. He saw that the boy was

Wearing clothes of golden brocade, Waving a jade−handled whisk. Wearing clothes of golden brocade

He feasted in pavilions by the Jasper Pool; Waving a jade−handled whisk He dusted the steps of the purple palaces. At his side hung an immortal's tablet; And on his feet were sandals. He was a true winged adept, Elegant and remarkable.

Having won immortality he lived in a wonderful land, Cultivating eternal life and escaping from worldly dust. The holy priest did not recognize the stranger on Vulture Peak, The Gold−crested Immortal of yesteryear.

The Great Sage Monkey did, however, recognize him. "Master," said Monkey, "this is the Great Gold−crested Immortal who lives at the Jade Truth Temple at the foot of Vulture Peak. He is here to greet us." Only then did Sanzang realize who he was and step forward to salute him.

"You have finally arrived here this year," replied the Great Immortal with a smile. "I was fooled by the Bodhisattva Guanyin. Ten years ago she went to the East at the Buddha's command to find the Pilgrim who would fetch the scriptures. She told me then he would be here within two or three years. I have been waiting for years on end with no news of you at all. I never thought that it would be this year before we met."

Putting his hands together in front of his chest, Sanzang replied, "I am very grateful to you for your kindness, Great Immortal, very grateful." Sanzang and his three disciples led the horse and carried the baggage with them into the Taoist temple, where they were introduced to all the Great Immortals there. Tea and a vegetarian meal were then ordered, and the Taoist boys were told to heat scented water for the holy monks to bathe in before climbing to the Buddha land. Indeed: