Journey to the West: Starting with the Hunting of the Three Demons of Twin Fork Ridge

Chapter 69 Testing the Mind of Zen: Desiring to Cultivate the Dharma of Joy

Bajie was startled and quickly turned around, only to see that Wukong still had his eyes closed, as if he was talking in his sleep.

He didn't dare to answer, but covered his mouth and quietly slipped out the door.

After leaving the meditation room, he determined the direction and headed straight for the main hall.

But just as he got up to leave, Sun Wukong woke up.

He suddenly transformed into a mosquito and followed behind Pigsy.

The fool then made his way to the main hall, where he found the main door ajar and light shining through.

As he hesitated there, he heard a voice from inside the hall: "Since you're here, please come in."

Pigsy was overjoyed and quickly pushed open the door to enter.

Inside the main hall, the lights were bright, and the Buddha of Dipankara was still seated on the lotus throne.

The fool scratched his head, chuckled sheepishly, stepped forward, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed, saying, "Old...Old Pig kowtows to Buddha!"

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha said, "Your master is extremely meticulous. With his wisdom, he could also attain enlightenment by learning my Dharma. Wouldn't that be better than going to the Western Paradise?"

Bajie laughed and said, "They are acting on the orders of the Tang Emperor and dare not disobey the emperor's command, so they are unwilling to learn the Buddha's wonderful methods. They just tried to trick me in the front hall, and I was a little helpless."

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha said, "I see. Did you change your mind coming here so late at night?"

Bajie said, "Buddha, you are wise. The more I think about it after I got back, the more I feel that your method is truly wonderful! It can lead to Buddhahood and happiness, which is much better than being a wandering monk and wandering the westward road."

Although I, Old Pig, am a rough man, I still yearn for enlightenment. I hope Buddha will take me in! I only fear Buddha will find my long beak and big ears displeasing.

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha said, "The Diamond Sutra says, 'All forms are illusory. If one sees all forms as non-forms, one sees the Tathagata.' Therefore, I do not find them objectionable. However, I fear that these consorts, though they have vowed to cultivate themselves, are still bound by physical form and find some of them somewhat ugly."

Pigsy said, "Buddha, please tell all the consorts not to be so picky about men. My Tang Monk, though handsome, is actually useless. I may be ugly, but I have a few slogans."

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha asked, "What do you mean?"

Pigsy said, "Buddha, listen to me: Although I am ugly, I am diligent and capable. I can carry loads steadily up mountains and lead horses across rivers with ease."

The vegetarian meal was prepared, and the clothes were mended and repaired. As for the practice of dual cultivation, I am quite proficient. Full of energy, I fought until dawn.

Those delicate girls are called happy Yingying. Though they may have a foolish appearance, they're full of talent. If you still think I'm ugly, just try me and you'll see.

Upon hearing this, the Buddha of Dipankara couldn't help but laugh out loud, saying, "Very well, you do have some skill. But I still advise you to go and discuss it with your master again. If it's not too awkward, I'll teach you to join my Dharma."

Bajie said, "There's no need to discuss it. He neither taught me to chant Buddha's name nor to study the scriptures. He only asked me to carry the load and lead the horse. Now that I've switched allegiance to the Buddha, it has nothing to do with him; it's all my fault."

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha said, "Very well, very well, let me speak with the consorts."

Sure enough, he stepped down from the lotus platform and went straight to the back.

Pigsy then retreated, only thinking about how to go back and explain to Tang Sanzang.

Little did anyone know that Sun Wukong already knew everything. He flew over, revealed his true form, and first said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, Wuneng went out just now, but he's back now."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Why did he go out?"

The pilgrim laughed and recounted from the beginning how Pigsy wanted to switch allegiance to the Buddha of Joy. Tripitaka seemed to believe it but not really.

After a short while, seeing the simpleton return timidly, Tang Sanzang asked, "Where have you been?"

Bajie said, "I want to go see if the horses have eaten their fill of hay."

The traveler asked, "How can you know if the horse has eaten enough if you haven't gone to see it?"

Upon hearing this, the fool realized the news had spread, so he lowered his head, twisted his neck, pursed his lips, and frowned, remaining silent for a long time.

Then, with a creak, the door to the meditation room opened, revealing both a blue-faced monk and a white-faced monk.

The blue-faced monk said, "Our Buddha has already chosen a consort for this Elder Pig, and we are just waiting for the Elder to make his choice."

The white-faced monk added, "Our Buddha also invited the other three elders to attend the ceremony. Those who wish to practice my Dharma can choose one of them."

The fool was overjoyed upon hearing the two monks' words.

What surprised him was that Wukong had just exposed his mistake, making him lose face; what pleased him was that the Buddha had actually chosen a consort for him and even invited the master and disciple to attend the ceremony. Wasn't this a perfectly legitimate way to enter the path of joy?

He secretly glanced at Wukong and saw that the monkey had a half-smile on his face. He felt even more uneasy and just lowered his head, following the others towards the main hall.

Before long, the four of them returned to the main hall.

The hall was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.

The Buddha of Dipankara remained seated on the lotus throne, his appearance solemn and dignified. In front of the lotus throne stood three rows of women, five in each row.

The women were all beautiful:

Her eyebrows were like crescent moons, her eyes like autumn waves. Rouge adorned her peach-blossom face, and golden bracelets jingled around her willow-like waist. Some held incense burners, others carried feather fans; each had her own unique charm, whether plump or slender.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang immediately lowered his eyes, clasped his hands together, and muttered incantations.

When Dingguang Huanxi Buddha saw that everyone had arrived, he said, "Holy Monk and all your esteemed disciples, now that you have all arrived, please take your seats."

The blue-faced monk led Tang Sanzang and the others to sit down on a prayer mat to the side.

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha then looked at Bajie and said, "Wuneng, you just said you wanted to join my Dharma, does that still stand?"

Pigsy nodded hurriedly, "It's a promise! It's a promise, Buddha! I, Pigsy, keep my word!"

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha said, "In that case, my method requires dual cultivation with a Mingfei. The Mingfeis in this hall today are all those who have vowed to cultivate. You may choose one of them as your partner."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy was overjoyed. He immediately stood up, walked over to the women, and carefully examined them from head to toe.

He looked at this one, then at that one, and found this one handsome and that one pretty; he was momentarily overwhelmed by their beauty.

Tang Sanzang frowned and muttered in a low voice, "Amitabha, forgive me, forgive me."

This fool was insatiable, and said, "Grandpa Buddha, you just mentioned that the Joyful Meditation Method allows us to choose several based on our wisdom and understanding, right?"

Dipankara Buddha nodded and said, "Of course."

The fool asked, "Grandpa Buddha, how many can my master choose, given his wisdom?"

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha laughed and said, "Elder Tang is a holy monk of this era. His wisdom and understanding are unparalleled, even surpassing this old monk. He can select ten."

The fool asked again, "Where's my Monkey King?"

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha said, "Sun Wukong was born of heaven and earth and nurtured by the sun and moon. He has exceptional wisdom and profound understanding, and is able to select eight people."

The fool asked again, "Where is Brother Sha?"

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha said: "Sha Wujing has some wisdom, his comprehension is acceptable, and his character is enduring. We can select five."

Finally, the fool asked, "What about me, Old Pig? I acknowledge that Master and Senior Brother have the potential to choose one or ten, or even eight. I should be able to choose three or five, just like Junior Brother Sha!"

Dingguang Huanxi Buddha shook his head and said, "The White Dragon Horse has some wisdom and can choose three, but you have little wisdom and understanding, so you can only choose one."