Home > Journey to the West > 40-true-scriptures

40 The True Scriptures

Then Tathagata issued his golden command that the two venerable ones Ananda and Kasyapa should first give the pilgrims a meal, and afterwards choose several scrolls from each of the three stores in the library and hand them to the Tang Monk. The four followed the two venerable ones gladly to the refectory, and seeing the tables heaped with rare teas and strange fruits and dishes fit for immortals, they ate their fill in the company of their hosts. The meal ended, they were led to the library, wrapped about in blessed light and drifting clouds of many colours, where red labels inscribed in careful script named the scrolls within every chest and cabinet. When they had shown him through the several sections, Ananda and Kasyapa said, "Holy monk, you have come from the eastern lands; have you brought us any gift, that we may hand the scriptures over?" The Tang Monk bowed and said, "My road was long and I prepared no offering to thank you with; I beg the two venerable ones to forgive me." Seeing them hold out for a bribe and refuse the scriptures, Wukong shouted, "Do not fret, Master; let us go and reason this before the Buddha!" Kasyapa said, "Well, well, well! If the scriptures were handed down for nothing, later generations would simply starve!" Ananda grew angry at the Great Sage's outburst and cried, "What is all this bawling? Do you know where you stand, that you run wild here? Come and take the scriptures!" Seeing the two begin to sort the scrolls, the four spread out their wrapping cloths and made ready to pack. They wrapped the scrolls one by one, loaded them upon the horse, and bound two more packs for Bajie and Sandy to shoulder; then they came again to the Hall of the Great Hero, took their leave of Tathagata, and went down the mountain out of the ancient Thunder Monastery. Now in the library dwelt the Ancient Buddha Dipankara, who had listened in silence to all that passed and knew the scrolls given them were wordless. He called the Venerable White Hero and said, "Use your power, and swiftly snatch those wordless scriptures away, that they must come again and ask for the true ones." The Venerable White Hero took the ancient Buddha's command, rode a fierce wind down toward the foot of the Spirit Mountain, and in an instant overtook the four travellers. As they walked along, there came a great crash; a hand reached down out of the sky and snatched away every scroll that the white dragon horse carried. The Tang Monk beat his breast and stamped his feet, calling upon his disciples in terror. Wukong leapt upon the clouds and gave chase. Seeing him gain upon them, the Venerable White Hero flung the bundle of scrolls into the air; and Wukong, caring more for the scriptures than for the thief, checked his somersault and came down to earth. The scrolls lay scattered over the ground; Wukong and Bajie gathered them up, bound them in the wrapping cloth and brought them to their master. The Tang Monk said in tears, "Disciples, this is the land of perfect bliss, where all should be blessed; how can such demons range here as they please?" Sandy took the scrolls, opened one and found no writing in it, and passed it hastily to his master. Wukong and Bajie opened several more, and every one was blank paper. The Tang Monk opened the rest one after another, and still there was not a single character; and he wept aloud. Wukong knew at once that these blank scrolls were the work of Ananda and Kasyapa, and said, "Grieve not, Master. They were refused their gift, and so played this trick on us. Let us go and lay the charge before the Buddha!" Helpless, the four could only turn back toward the Thunder Monastery. In a little while they came again to the ancient Thunder Monastery; and the four vajra guardians, knowing they had returned to exchange the scrolls, did not stop them, and they went straight into the Hall of the Great Hero.

 4/9   Home Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next Last