Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 247 - 241: Buddha Discusses the Saints of the World【Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1
When Lingjiu Mountain learned that Jin Chanzi had been reincarnated and abandoned Buddhism to cultivate Dao Techniques, it was thrown into an uproar.
The assembled Buddhas instantly lost their composure, the scene descending into chaos.
That day, Tathagata Buddha was delivering a sermon. He abruptly abandoned his Chan meditation and immediately summoned those involved in the Journey to the West.
「Tathagata Zen Institute.」
Those connected with the Journey to the West had already gathered. The assembly included nearly all the influential figures of Lingjiu Mountain, or at least those of great renown.
Among well-known figures from the mortal realm, such as the Eighteen Arhats, only Xianglong and Fuhu, who had attained the rank of Honored Ones, were granted seats at the very back. The others lacked the qualifications to attend.
Next were the five great Bodhisattvas. However, Bodhisattva Manjushri, still recovering from an injury, did not appear.
Also present were Medicine Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Ran Deng Buddha, as well as Kassapa, Ananda, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and others.
Some arrived late, others early.
Those who arrived late, such as Guanyin and others from distant places, had rushed over immediately upon receiving the news.
Everyone took their seats one by one, watching Tathagata with tension, all waiting for him to speak.
Tathagata glanced around. He did not display the anger the other Buddhas had expected; instead, he was exceptionally calm, his expression unchanged.
With a smile, he began, "You are all aware that Jin Chanzi has abandoned Buddhism to pursue Dao Techniques, correct?"
The Buddhas nodded in agreement.
Tathagata continued, "Two hundred years ago, Jin Chanzi displayed improper conduct. He fell asleep during my sermon. Upon waking, he insisted that my teachings differed from Amitabha Buddha’s. He was excessively obstinate, as if possessed. I punished him by sending him to the mortal realm to gain experience. Two hundred years have passed since then, and this is now his fourth life."
The Buddhas remained silent; this was the truth, and they were all aware of it.
Only Ran Deng Buddha and Maitreya Buddha maintained smiles, their expressions outwardly normal, yet a flash of disdain crossed their eyes.
Like Tathagata himself, both were later converts to Buddhism who had subsequently attained high status.
Both aspired to be the leader of Buddhism, but Tathagata already held that position, much to their annoyance.
However, despite their annoyance, they did not show it. Instead, they appeared very supportive and endorsed Tathagata.
At least, on the surface.
Even if Tathagata knew their loyalty was feigned, he could not openly criticize them; indeed, he had to feign cordiality.
Having both joined Buddhism later in life, they felt Tathagata’s words rang somewhat hollow.
The truth was, Jin Chanzi was not morally improper, nor had he merely debated with Tathagata that his Buddhist Law differed from Amitabha Buddha’s.
Instead, Jin Chanzi’s ideals clashed with those of Tathagata Buddha.
Jin Chanzi believed that a true Buddha must embody pure goodness; if one lacked sufficient kindness, one could not be considered a true Buddha.
Moreover, Jin Chanzi disagreed with the doctrine that "laying down the butcher’s knife instantly makes one a Buddha," considering it grossly unfair to ordinary people.
Another point was Jin Chanzi’s belief that Buddhism should truly embody equality for all beings, including within Buddhism itself.
The other points were perhaps excusable—mere rhetoric to attract believers. But the idea of implementing true equality for all beings *within* Buddhism itself, they considered heresy.
Respect for teachers and adherence to doctrine had always been fundamental, whether in Buddhism or Daoism; everyone was expected to comply.
If the master-disciple relationship itself were one of equals, allowing an Arhat to be on par with a Buddha, or a novice Monk to sit equally with a full Buddha, wouldn’t that lead to chaos?
Tathagata, as the leader, could not tolerate this. How could he allow others to share his golden throne in the Daxiong Hall?
Therefore, this single issue was enough for Tathagata Buddha to cast Jin Chanzi into the mortal realm.
He had initially wanted to strike down that unfilial disciple, but such an act would have reflected poorly on him.
Secondly, Jin Chanzi was his own disciple, whose talent and potential were considered top-tier within Buddhism.
Furthermore, the impending Journey to the West offered an opportunity. The plan was to leverage it: if Jin Chanzi could be successfully re-educated, a group of individuals destined for the tribulation could also be drawn in, significantly bolstering Buddhism’s power.
While others might use the great pilgrimage to reap personal benefits, Tathagata could use it to solidify his own position and safeguard his interpretation of Buddhist Law and righteousness.
Consider this: if even Jin Chanzi, his most vocal opponent, was brought to heel and made compliant, who else would dare question him?
The great pilgrimage was thus a masterstroke, achieving multiple aims, and Jin Chanzi’s ’reformation’ was similarly beneficial in many respects.
Tathagata said, "Jin Chanzi’s unorthodox views and rebellious words are well known. I just didn’t expect that even after reincarnation, he would remain so defiant."
Everyone nodded. Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Buddha, please mete out punishment. This monk failed to supervise him adequately."
Ran Deng Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, and Medicine Buddha were all vying for power. This was especially true for Ran Deng, second in command, and Maitreya, third in command. Though they shared the same origins as Tathagata, they lacked his supreme status and thus coveted more authority.
If they could discredit Guanyin, Tathagata’s staunch supporter, and seize control of the Journey to the West, Tathagata’s prestige would suffer, and their own positions on Lingjiu Mountain would be further consolidated.
But they wouldn’t dare to make such a move now; it would be too obvious.
Thus, Ran Deng Buddha said, "Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva was merely overwhelmed by her many duties; it is not truly her fault. Please do not punish her."
Maitreya Buddha also chimed in, "Guanyin Bodhisattva indeed has too many responsibilities. Furthermore, with her mount having been killed, she is now occupied with its rebirth and simply has no time for other matters. The fault is not hers."
Both bowed, palms pressed together, and said, "Amitabha. Our Buddha is merciful. Please do not hold her at fault!"
As others also began to speak up for Guanyin Bodhisattva, her expression ironically turned somewhat unsightly. A flicker of anger crossed her eyes as she glanced at Ran Deng and Maitreya.
These two seemed to be defending her, but it was a strategic retreat on their part. While appearing to support her, they were actually framing the situation to confirm her error.
In truth, Guanyin’s own admission of fault was also a strategic retreat, hoping Tathagata would offer some comforting words, even though she didn’t believe she was truly to blame.
But Ran Deng and Maitreya seized on this, their pleas for leniency effectively affirming her mistake, making her feel as if she had shot herself in the foot.
And yet, Guanyin had to thank them, lest she appear ungrateful.
Guanyin had to force a smile and say, "This monk thanks the two venerable Buddhas for your intercession, but it is unnecessary. If this monk erred, then an error was made."
With this back and forth, if Tathagata chose not to punish her, he himself would appear unjust.
Tathagata, his expression serene, looked at the assembly and said, "Since all the Buddhas have spoken on your behalf, we shall set this matter aside for now and discuss it later."
"Actually, no one is to blame for this. Jin Chanzi’s rebellious nature was evident in his previous life. What I did not foresee was that he would go so far as to abandon Buddhism for Dao Techniques!"
Only then did everyone sense that Tathagata was truly angry.
His words, however, did not betray it.
Yet they all understood: he was indeed angry, extremely so. Otherwise, he would not have spoken in such a manner.
At this, Maitreya Buddha, Ran Deng Buddha, and the others no longer pressed Guanyin, listening in silence instead.
They all knew that Tathagata’s anger could bring severe consequences.
It was best not to provoke his ire further, or they would face dire repercussions.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Kassapa, as Tathagata’s disciple, spoke, "Buddha, our younger brother has erred, but he must simply be confused. We need to remind him of the correct path, lest he stray further."
Ananda nodded. "Yes, our senior brother Jin Chanzi is exceptionally talented but prone to overthinking and requires guidance. I have heard that he was misled by someone; otherwise, he would not have taken such a wrong step."
Oh!?
Everyone was momentarily stunned. They hadn’t expected Ananda to say such a thing.
Frowning, they began to make clandestine divinations, trying to ascertain who had misled Jin Chanzi.
Maitreya Buddha and Ran Deng Buddha exchanged glances, each wondering if the other was behind it.
Even Tathagata glanced at these dissenting factions before closing his eyes to perform a divination. When he opened them again, his gaze was clear.
Maitreya Buddha, unable to divine the answer himself, asked, "Ananda, who misled Jin Chanzi?"
Ananda glanced at Tathagata, then bowed slightly. "Reporting to the venerable Buddha, this monk does not know."
Maitreya Buddha furrowed his brow and looked at Tathagata, as if waiting for an explanation.
Ran Deng Buddha and the others also couldn’t divine who had led Jin Chanzi astray and suspected Ananda was deliberately concealing the truth.
Tathagata said, "Ananda truly does not know. I have already performed the divination. The Heavenly Dao is obscured, and the calamity of the Journey to the West is fast approaching. Furthermore, many events have deviated from their original course, so it is quite normal that such divinations are inconclusive."
"Even I could only glean partial insights and cannot ascertain the full picture. I only know that a Daoist named Daoist Hanshan has been in contact with Jin Chanzi, teaching him Dao Techniques."
The assembly exchanged bewildered glances and muttered amongst themselves; none had heard this name before.
Daoist Hanshan? They had never heard of him.
Maitreya Buddha asked, "Buddha, may I ask to which sect this Daoist Hanshan belongs? Could he be a disciple of a Saint?"
He was, in fact, suspecting the Three Pure Ones.
After all, besides the Saints, who would dare to sabotage the plans of Buddhism and ruin their great Journey to the West undertaking?
Yet, in all of heaven and earth, only the Three Pure Ones would dare to challenge their Buddhist sect’s two guiding Saints, Zhunti and the one often referred to as ’The Guide’.
The Wa Huang does not concern herself with worldly affairs. The three Saints of Fire Cloud Palace remain aloof from the world. Hou Tu of the Reincarnation Dao and the denizens of the Netherworld all reside within the Nether World realm, never departing, and are even less likely to become entangled in worldly karma.
Besides the Three Pure Ones, they truly could not imagine who else would emerge at such a critical time to disrupt their plans.
Tathagata said, "It is indeed possible he is a disciple of a certain Saint. When I tried to trace his origins, I could not divine the identity of the one backing him. It seems that, aside from a Saint, no one else would possess such means."
The faces of the assembled Buddhas turned solemn. They were shocked that this matter now involved a Saint.
The Journey to the West was meant to be a relatively minor tribulation; it shouldn’t involve Saints. Now that a Saint had seemingly entered the fray, what were they to do?
All eyes turned to Tathagata. At that moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke.
"Actually, there is another person who might cause such an untraceable consequence, and he is not a Saint."
Everyone was startled. Besides those who had achieved sainthood through merit, who else could be beyond the divination of Tathagata’s all-seeing eyes of past and future?
Tathagata looked over with curiosity.
Pointing one hand to the sky and the other to the earth, he laughed. "Throughout the heavens and the earth, I alone am supreme. Besides the Saints, is there anyone else who can elude my divinations?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva said gravely, "With all due respect, Buddha, Sha Chen of the Flowing Sand River is also beyond divination."
