Those who cultivate the Tao are inherently acting against the will of Heaven. Acting in accordance with Heaven is merely a means to escape the greater evil, much like today's tax-evading capitalists. They seek profit and avoid harm, using the guise of acting in accordance with Heaven to evade their own methods of defying Heaven. Apart from those neurotic fanatics, most "true cultivators of the Tao" understand this principle.
As a member of one of the top powers in the world, how could Guanyin not understand that he was envious of Sun Wukong? After all, he had caused quite a stir and had his moment of fame. She herself had those things, and of course, "she" was also rising in fame now, but not as much as she had been in the Chan Sect.
Back then, Taoism flourished, and the Chan and Jie sects jointly led the Taoist community. Although the Chan sect was less powerful in terms of manpower, each of them was a renowned figure. The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan sect were all respected by others. Although there were occasional disagreements, they were still legitimate figures.
But things are different now. Even though Guanyin is more famous and has higher cultivation than before, she is still stigmatized as a traitor and is ridiculed behind her back. Although cultivators don't care about gender, they can't avoid being mocked.
Isn't this situation just like Sun Wukong's current predicament? It's truly unknown when he'll be able to turn things around.
As the master and his disciples were talking, they had already alerted the Great Sage. The Great Sage shouted from the foot of the mountain, "Who was it that was reciting poetry on the mountain, exposing my shortcomings?"
Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva went down the mountain to investigate. There, beneath the cliff, the local earth god, the mountain god, and the heavenly generals guarding the Great Sage all came to greet the Bodhisattva and led him before the Great Sage. Upon looking, the Bodhisattva was found trapped in a stone box, able to speak but unable to move.
The Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Hey, Mr. Sun, do you recognize me?"
The Great Sage opened his fiery eyes, nodded, and shouted, "How could I not recognize you? You are none other than the compassionate and merciful Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva of Mount Putuo in the South China Sea, who saves people from suffering! Thank you for your care! I have been living here for days on end, and not a single friend has come to visit me. Where have you come from?"
The Bodhisattva said, "I am on the Buddha's orders to go to the East to find a person to retrieve the scriptures. I am passing through here and have left some time to see you."
The Great Sage said, "The Buddha tricked me and imprisoned me on this mountain for over five hundred years, unable to break free. I beg the Bodhisattva to grant me this favor and save me!" The Bodhisattva said, "Your sins are deep. If I release you, you might cause more trouble, which would be counterproductive."
The Great Sage said, "I have already repented, and I only hope that Your Great Compassion will point me in the right direction so that I may cultivate myself." This truly shows that—when a thought arises in the human heart, Heaven and Earth know it all. If good and evil go unpunished, then Heaven and Earth must be biased.
Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva understood the implications and, unconcerned whether the Great Sage repented or not, said only to him, "The scriptures say, 'If one speaks good words, they will be heard a thousand miles away; if one speaks evil words, they will be opposed a thousand miles away.' Since you have this intention, when I reach the Great Tang Dynasty in the East, I will find a pilgrim to retrieve the scriptures and teach him to save you. You can become his disciple, uphold his teachings, enter my Buddhist order, and then attain enlightenment. What do you say?"
The Great Sage said repeatedly, "I am willing to go, I am willing to go!" The Bodhisattva said, "Since you have achieved good results, I will give you a Dharma name." The Great Sage said, "I already have a name, which is Sun Wukong."
The Bodhisattva then said with delight, “I have had two others who surrendered before me, both of whom were named ‘Wu’ (悟). You are also named ‘Wu’ (悟), which aligns with theirs. Very good, very good. There’s no need for further instructions. I’m off.” The Great Sage, having seen his true nature and attained enlightenment, returned to Buddhism. The Bodhisattva, however, remained mindful and visited the divine monk.
Not to mention that Guanyin had already found three henchmen, the main force of which was of course Wukong. The reputation of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven was not without reason. Marshal Tianpeng was a pawn in the hands of Buddha. Of course, this was just the idea of Buddhists. Who knew that Buddha had long been betrayed by Haotian? As for General Curtain-Raising, he was just an accessory. Anyone could see that this guy was no good. He was still a demon at the Heavenly Immortal level. However, he was suitable for doing odd jobs. He was honest, which was his only advantage.
Guanyin and Moksha then left this place and traveled eastward, arriving in Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, in no time. The mist and clouds dispersed, and the master and disciples transformed into two scaly wandering monks. They entered Chang'an and soon it was already late. Reaching a street corner, they saw a shrine to the local earth god. The two entered directly, startling the earth god and his ghostly soldiers. Knowing it was Guanyin, they kowtowed and welcomed them. The earth god hurriedly ran to report to the City God, the local deities, and all the gods in Chang'an's temples. They all knew it was Guanyin and greeted her, saying, "Bodhisattva, please forgive our delay in welcoming you." Guanyin said, "You must not leak a single word. I have come here on the Buddha's orders to find the one who will retrieve the scriptures. I will borrow your temple for a few days until I find the true monk." The gods returned to their respective places, leaving the earth god temporarily in the City God's temple, while the master and disciples concealed their true forms.
Seventeen Who knew this dragon would die so unjustly?
Now, Guanyin Bodhisattva, having received the order of the Tathagata Buddha, went to the Eastern Land, uh, that is, the Southern Jambudvipa, to find the person who would spread the Dharma.
Chang'an was the capital city of emperors throughout history.
This place was no different from Chang'an on that planet. It was a country in the Southern Continent, the capital of the Great Tang Dynasty. The ruler's surname was Li, his given name was Shimin, and he was known as Emperor Taizong. He was a patriotic and wise ruler. At that time, Emperor Taizong of the Great Tang Dynasty had ascended the throne and changed the era name to Zhenguan. He had been on the throne for thirteen years. In the year of Ji Si, the world was at peace, and tributes were sent from all directions. All the world paid tribute to him.
Emperor Taizong was very wise. Since his ascension to the throne, the country has been peaceful and prosperous, and the people have been of good character. He especially loved talent. However, there was one incident, namely the case of the top scholar surnamed Chen. This matter is known to all readers, so I will not go into details.
Originally, this matter was not considered a big deal in the world of immortals and gods, but it unexpectedly brought up another issue.
When the list of successful candidates reached Haizhou, a man named Chen E, courtesy name Guangrui, saw it and immediately returned home. He told his mother, Zhang, "The imperial court has issued a yellow list, decreeing the opening of the southern provinces to select talented individuals. I intend to go and take the exam. If I obtain an official position, I can bring honor to my family, make a name for myself, and bring glory to my wife and children. This is my ambition. I have come here to inform you, Mother, that I am going." Zhang said, "My son, a scholar should learn in his youth and act in his adulthood. This is how it should be. But be careful on the road to the examination, and return as soon as you obtain an official position." Guangrui then instructed his servants to pack his luggage, bid farewell to his mother, and hurried on his journey. Upon arriving in Chang'an, he found the examination halls open and entered. After the examination, he passed. He then took the imperial examination, where he wrote three essays. The Tang emperor personally bestowed upon him the title of Zhuangyuan (top scholar), and he was paraded through the streets on horseback for three days. Unexpectedly, they arrived at the gate of Prime Minister Yin Kaishan's residence, where the Prime Minister's daughter, named Wen Jiao, also known as Mantang Jiao, was unmarried. She was tossing an embroidered ball from a decorated tower to choose her husband. Just then, Chen Guangrui passed by below. Upon seeing Guangrui's outstanding appearance, the young lady knew he was the newly appointed top scholar in the imperial examinations and was overjoyed. She threw the embroidered ball, which struck Guangrui's official hat. Suddenly, they heard the sound of flutes and pipes, and a dozen maids came down from the tower, took Guangrui's horse, and welcomed the top scholar into the Prime Minister's residence for their marriage. The Prime Minister and his wife immediately came out of the hall, summoned guests to perform the ceremony, and betrothed the young lady to Guangrui. After bowing to Heaven and Earth, and exchanging vows, they bowed to the mother-in-law and father-in-law. The Prime Minister ordered a feast to be prepared, and they celebrated all night. The two, hand in hand, entered their boudoir. The next day at three in the morning, Emperor Taizong ascended the throne in the Golden Palace, and all the civil and military officials went to court. Emperor Taizong asked, "What official position should the newly appointed top scholar, Chen Guangrui, be given?" Chancellor Wei Zheng replied, "I have investigated the prefectures and counties under my jurisdiction, and there is a vacancy in Jiangzhou. I beg Your Majesty to appoint him to this position." Emperor Taizong then appointed him as the governor of Jiangzhou and ordered him to prepare for his departure without delay. Guangrui thanked the emperor and left the court. He returned to his residence, discussed the matter with his wife, bid farewell to his father-in-law and mother-in-law, and together they set off for his post in Jiangzhou. They left Chang'an and began their journey.
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