Emperor Taizong took Judge Cui’s repeated instructions to heart. After returning to Yang, he went out to recruit monks, built a water and land assembly, and saved the lonely souls in the underworld. Rankings were carried out all over the world, and officials from all over the country recommended eminent monks to hold meetings in Chang'an. During that period of one month, many monks from all over the world will arrive. The king of Tang then invited Wei Zheng, Xiao Xing, and Zhang Daoyuan to invite the Buddhas to elect a man of great virtue as the altar leader and build a monastery. Who could this great virtuous person be?
Master Xuanzang.
The next day, the three courtiers gathered together the monks in the mountain altar and selected them one by one, and selected a virtuous eminent monk among them. This eminent monk has quite a history. He has been a monk since he was a child. He fasted and received precepts after he was born. His grandfather was Yin Kaishan, the general manager of the current dynasty. His father, Chen Guangrui, was the first scholar in the imperial examination and was awarded the title of Bachelor of Wenyuan Palace. He does not love glory and splendor, but only likes to practice cessation. Thousands of scriptures are omnipotent; the immortal sound of the Buddha's name is omnipotent. The small character is Jiangliu Ancient Buddha, and his Buddhist name is Chen Xuanzang. That is what we call Tang Seng.
At that time, the three of them were led to the imperial court. After bowing, they said: Chen Xing and others received the imperial edict and selected the eminent monk Chen Xuanzang. When Taizong heard his name, he pondered for a long time and said: Is Xuanzang, the son of scholar Chen Guangrui? Jiang Liu'er kowtowed and said, "I am correct." Taizong said happily: "It is indeed a good move. He is a monk with virtuous conduct and a Zen mind." I bestow upon you the posts of Zuo Seng Gang, Right Seng Gang, and Tian Xia Da Chan Du Seng Gang. Pay homage to Ming Monk again with sincerity, rank as the leader of the Xiangli group, write down the instructions, go to Huasheng Temple, choose an auspicious day and a good time, and start performing the sutras.
Xuanzang thanked him and received the official title of Dachan. Then he went to Huasheng Temple and gathered many monks to build a Zen couch, decorate the merits, and arrange the music. A total of 1,200 monks, big and small, were selected and divided into three halls: upper, middle and lower. In front of all the Buddhas, everything is in order and orderly. Choose the third day of September this year, a good day in the zodiac, to start the 7749 Land and Water Conference.
With Wei Zheng's recommendation, Xuanzang became the altar master. As we all know, "Journey to the West" tells the story of Monk Tang's journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures. So what is the connection between this land and water conference and the pilgrimage to the West?
Learn from the experience.
Time is at your fingertips, but on the seventh day of the formal meeting, Xuanzang once again asked the king of Tang to burn incense. At this time, good voices are everywhere in the world. Taizong immediately led many civil and military officials, concubines, and relatives to the temple early. People in that city, big or small, high or low, all went to the temple to listen to the lectures.
While Xuanzang was on the stage, reciting for a while the Sutra of Resurrection and Saving Death, talking about Anbang Tianbao Seal Script, and proclaiming the Encourage to Practice Gong Scroll for a while, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva transformed into An ugly wandering monk came closer, patted the altar and shouted loudly: "That monk, you can only talk about Hinayana teachings, but can you talk about Mahayana?" When Xuanzang heard this, he was overjoyed. He jumped down from the stage, raised his hands to the Bodhisattva and said: Teacher, my disciple has lost his sight and committed many sins. All the monks in front of me taught Hinayana teachings, but they didn't know what Mahayana teachings were like.
When this happened, the Sixiang patrol officer hurriedly reported to the king of Tang Dynasty, and Taizong ordered him to be captured. But he recognized him and said, "Are you the monk who gave you the cassock the day before yesterday?" The Bodhisattva said: Exactly. Taizong said: Since you are here to listen to the lecture, you should only eat some fast. Why are you talking nonsense with my Dharma Master, disrupting the sutra hall, and disturbing my Buddhist services? The Bodhisattva said: What your master teaches is Hinayana teachings, which cannot save the dead from ascending to heaven. I have the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism, which can save me from suffering and live a long life without deterioration. Taizong Zhengse asked happily: Where is your Mahayana Buddhism? The Bodhisattva said: I am the Buddha Tathagata at the Great Thunder Sound Temple in the Great Western Tianzhu Kingdom, where I can resolve hundreds of grievances and eliminate countless disasters. Taizong said: Do you remember? Bodhisattva said: I remember. Taizong was overjoyed and said: "Teach the Dharma Master, please come to the stage and give a lecture."
The Bodhisattva took the wooden fork and flew up to the high platform. Then he stepped on the auspicious clouds and reached the sky. He appeared in the body of the rescuer and held the pure vase of willows. On the left is Mu Chahui'an, holding on to his stick and cheering up. The Tang Dynasty was so happy that all the civil and military officials knelt down and burned incense. The temple was full of monks, nuns, laymen, scholars and craftsmen, and everyone prayed. The auspicious clouds of the Bodhisattva gradually faded away, and the golden light disappeared in an instant. I saw a slip of paper slipping down from the mid-air, with a few lines of praise on it - "Greetings to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, there are wonderful articles in the West." The journey is one hundred and eight thousand miles, and the Mahayana enters into diligence. If you return to the upper country with this sutra, you will be able to transcend ghosts and emerge from the crowd. If there is anyone who is willing to go, seek the golden body of Zhengguo.
When Taizong saw Songzi, he immediately ordered the monks: "Let's close the Shenghui. When I send someone to get the Mahayana Sutra, I will be sincere and practice good deeds again." He immediately asked in the temple: Who is willing to accept my will and go to the West to worship Buddha and seek scriptures? Unable to ask, the mage flashed by and saluted before the emperor: "I am a poor monk but I am not talented. I am willing to do my best to help your majesty to obtain the true scriptures and pray for the eternal stability of our king." The king of the Tang Dynasty was overjoyed. He stepped forward to lift up the emperor's hand, then went to the temple and bowed four times to Xuanzang in front of the Buddha, calling him "the holy monk, my younger brother." Wait for a favorable day to be chosen and send an ultimatum to travel.
A huge water and land conference was suspended when Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "What your master teaches is Hinayana teachings, which cannot save the dead from ascending to heaven. I have the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism, which can save the dead and escape suffering." down. Can the water and land conference ordered by Judge Cui be able to save people from suffering? The answer given by Bodhisattva is yes. It's just that the supporting equipment of this water and land conference can't keep up, and the Hinayana teachings are holding it back! If we want the Land and Water Conference to be effective, we must introduce the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism from the place of our Buddha Tathagata.
It is undisputed that the so-called monks of the Tang Dynasty were actually Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Tang Seng went west just to help Taizong eliminate his difficulties. This is also very consistent with the original name of "Journey to the West", "Journey to the West".
Now let’s understand how the powerful Guanyin Bodhisattva transformed Tathagata’s preaching of sutras into Tang Monk’s sutra-gathering!
In the eighth chapter, the Tathagata said: I have a collection of "Dharma" to talk about heaven; a collection of "Talks" to talk about the earth; a collection of sutras to save ghosts. The Thirty-five Parts of Tripitaka, totaling 15,144 volumes, are the sutras of cultivation and the door to righteousness and goodness. I am about to be sent to the Eastern Land, but I am sorry that the people there are stupid, slander the truth, do not understand the purpose of my Dharma, and neglect the authentic teachings of Yoga. How to find a man with magical power? Go to the Eastern Land to find a good believer and teach him how to travel through thousands of mountains and thousands of rivers. Come to me to obtain the true scriptures and spread them to the Eastern Land forever to persuade all living beings. But it is a huge blessing. Deep sea of ??kindness.
This is the original intention of the Tathagata, to spread the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism to the Eastern Land forever. But the phenomenon of Buddha inversion is common in the Eastern Tang Dynasty! The existing Hinayana teachings have been slandered by the anti-Buddhist sect. For example, Taishi Cheng Fu Yi's teachings on the Western Regions, without rulers, ministers, fathers and sons, followed three paths and six paths, deceived stupid people, and self-taught his teachings. It was actually a barbarian invasion of China and cannot be trusted.
In such a land, it is difficult for Mahayana Buddhism, a latecomer, to open up the market! The best way is the government effect. Just like our current automobile market, under the leadership of the government, joint venture cars are flourishing in China. If the government had promoted our own brands, it is conceivable that today’s automobile market would definitely be in a different situation!
As long as the emperor accepts it, Mahayana Buddhism will surely be carried forward. The results have also been seen. When Taizong opened the Water and Land Conference, he issued an imperial edict - anyone who slanders monks and slanders Buddha will have their arms cut off. Therefore, a series of games occurred for this result.
First of all, Yuan Shoucheng, who had nothing to do with the Dragon King, stirred up trouble! Use your sleeve to teach a fisherman a lesson and tell him to strike a hundred times. The Dragon King came to a gambling match with Yuan Shoucheng to protect the Shui tribe. With the help of the Jade Emperor, the Dragon King lost completely in this gambling match and was so confused that he violated the imperial edict. When his life was at stake, the Dragon King asked Yuan Shoucheng to point out a way out. This way out pointed out the grudges between the Dragon King and the Tang Dynasty.
With this grudge, the King of Hell took the King of Tang to the underworld on the grounds of the case between the three Cao. The experience of this trip to the underworld was frightening, and all King Tang saw were the souls of the dead who died because of him. In order to eliminate these dead souls, a land and water conference must be held.
With this foreshadowing, the appearance of Guanyin Bodhisattva made the plan to learn the scriptures come true. As the host of the Water and Land Conference, Tang Seng’s request for help was logical as the existing Hinayana teachings were ineffective.
To put it bluntly, the reason why preaching scriptures can evolve into learning scriptures depends on the situation. This situation gave Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty a need for Mahayana Buddhism. This is also the reason why Taizong wanted to take the "loyal way of transcending life" to return to Yang. From the moment he returned to Yang, Taizong, who had twenty more years, would be loyal to Buddhism.
Of course, the success of a game depends not only on the planners, but also on the opponents and implementers.
The King of Tang as the opponent.
If there were not too many killings on Emperor Taizong's road, then there would be no dead souls in hell targeting him. Without these dead souls, Taizong would have no obvious weaknesses. So Taizong entered the situation because he had evil intentions in his heart. This is also the reason why Tathagata chose Nanfan continent. Nanfan is a continent where there is killing and achievement.
The Dragon King as the main attacker.
It stands to reason that in response to Yuan Shoucheng's provocation, the Dragon King should not need to bet on the game. He only needs to arrange the Yasha patrolling the water where the fisherman lowers his net to scare him. As soon as this move came out, the fisherman would no longer believe in Yuan Shoucheng. If he didn't catch the fish, he would be scared to death! The Dragon King's action of protecting the clan was easily completed.
To take a step back, the Dragon King wanted to make a bet with Yuan Shoucheng in order to teach this provocateur a lesson. When Yuan Shoucheng understood the Jade Emperor's will earlier than he did, the Dragon King should have realized that Yuan Shoucheng was not simple! Even if the Dragon King was confused and changed his will without authorization, he should know that it was the Jade Emperor who killed him, and Tang Taizong had no ability to save him, right?
Therefore, the seemingly confused Dragon King is actually the biggest contributor! The gambling match between the Dragon King and Yuan Shoucheng was just a play. This play established the grudges and triggered the three-cao case. Otherwise, if the King of Hell took Taizong to the underworld, there would be no reason for him to return to Yang!
But there is a question here. If the Dragon King is the main attacker, why is he willing to be cannon fodder? The King of Hell has something to say! The Ten Kings said: Since before the dragon was born, Nan Douxing has been destined to be killed at the hands of Cao Cao. We have known it for a long time.
The so-called life and death books are the life book and the death book. Because the South Dipper is about life and the Beidou is about death, the life book is also called the South Dipper life book, and the death book is also called the Big Dipper death book. Obviously, the Death Book of the South Dipper mentioned by the King of Hell does not exist. A non-existent book records things that do not exist. In other words, Yama is lying. This also means that the Dragon King is not dead. As for his whereabouts? Let’s talk about Xiao Bailong’s life experience.
Wei Zheng as a pusher.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, who obeys the Tathagata's decree, not only looks for the Buddhist scripture collector, but also gives him a brocade bat cassock and a nine-ringed tin staff. I visited Chang'an City for many days and did not meet anyone who was truly virtuous. Suddenly I heard that Taizong preached good results, elected eminent monks, and held a general meeting. I also saw that the master of the Dharma altar was monk Jiang Liuer. He was the son of the Buddha who came from the bliss, and he was the elder who had originally led him to be reincarnated. The Bodhisattva was very joy.
So, the Bodhisattva took the treasure given by the Buddha to the east gate of the Forbidden City. Under the introduction of Prime Minister Xiao Xing, he met the King of Tang. The King of Tang looked at it carefully from the beginning and found that it was indeed a good thing. He said: "Master Dafa, I will tell you the truth. I am now cultivating a good teaching and cultivating fields of blessing. I saw many monks gathered in Huasheng Temple to perform sutras and Dharma." Among them was a man of great virtue, whose name was Xuanzang. I bought these two treasures from you and gave them to him for his use. What's your asking price? . The Bodhisattva raised his hands and said: "The poor monk has a wish in front of me. It turns out that Guo You respects the Three Jewels, rejoices when he sees good things, and takes refuge in my Buddha. No money is required. I am willing to give it to him." Now that I see that Your Majesty is virtuous and does good deeds, and respects our Buddhist sect, and that the eminent monks are virtuous and conduct themselves well and preach the Dharma, I should offer them to you without asking for any money. The poor monk is willing to leave this thing and report back.
Through the hands of the Tang king, the cassock and tin staff became the possessions of the Tang monk. This means that from the moment Tang Monk became the altar leader, he was already recognized as a Buddhist scripture seeker. In other words, Tang Seng was the designated candidate. This credit must go to Wei Zheng. Without Wei Zheng's recommendation, Tang Monk would not have been able to become the altar leader, let alone learn Buddhist scriptures.
In this series of games, Wei Zheng played a great role! Killing a dragon in a dream with one move prompted a feud between the Dragon King and the Tang King. A letter allows the judge to live longer, Taizong returns to the sun, and opens the land and water conference. An inspection pushed Tang Seng on a long journey to the west.