The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 72 - 0 The Dispute Between Buddhism and Daoism

Although Ancestor Chen Tuan was usually detached from worldly concerns, it was a rare occasion for him to appear in the world, an instance of tranquility inviting motion. Hearing Daoist Equal to Heaven’s suggestion, he also found it to be an excellent idea.

So, the group left the Imperial Palace. Daoist Equal to Heaven found a wealthy house, employed the Divine Skills of the Five Ghosts to take several dozen jars of aged wine, and then took out about ten pieces of gold from his sleeve—around ten jin in weight—and threw them into the wine cellar.

Meanwhile, in the Jade Void Palace, the Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch was discussing the Tao with Zhen Yuanzi. Most of the time, it was Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch speaking while Zhen Yuanzi listened. After listening for a while, Zhen Yuanzi would immediately fall into deep thought, frequently contemplating for days on end.

Having finished his discourse, Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch smiled and asked, “Great Immortal Zhen Yuan, have you comprehended anything this time?”

Zhen Yuanzi solemnly said, “The Saint’s teachings are truly beneficial beyond measure! Zhen Yuanzi has been taught, and thanks Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch.”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch chuckled and said, “Great Immortal Zhen Yuan, there’s no need for such formality. Seeing your excellent aptitude, I just couldn’t resist discussing the Tao and clarifying some confusions you might have had. It’s also a way of forming a good connection.”

Zhen Yuanzi nodded and replied, “Thank you for the guidance, Celestial Venerable. This poor Daoist is immensely grateful. Should any of Celestial Venerable’s disciples ever need a pepino fruit, you only need to tell this poor Daoist.”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch nodded and said, “Hmm, you’ve been here for quite a while, and Wuzhuang Temple still needs your care, so we’ll part ways here.”

Zhen Yuanzi stood up, bowed deeply, and said, “Celestial Venerable, please stay, Zhen Yuanzi will take his leave himself.”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch said, “Child, see the guest out.”

White Crane Boy approached Zhen Yuanzi and saluted, saying, “Please follow me out of the palace, Teacher Zhen Yuanzi.”

Zhen Yuanzi followed White Crane Boy and left the Jade Void Palace, riding a crane down from the Thirty-Three Heavens towards Wuzhuang Temple on Ten Thousand Year Mountain in the West Cow He State.

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch closed his eyes and gently stroked his beard, nodding slightly. After calculating for a moment, he said, “It seems Buddhism will indeed enter the Eastern Land, as decreed by the Heavenly Dao. I wonder if there will be any flaws in this plan.”

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating, who had arrived at some unknown time, scoffed at Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch and said, “There will naturally be flaws; you really think your scheming is unmatched! This time the Western Religion will surely grow strong.”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch replied, “If we do not compete for the world’s fate, it’s akin to drinking poison to quench thirst! By acting this way, we still have a sliver of chance to win. If we merely sit around idly, in the end, we’ll simply be offering our necks to the blade!”

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating, unable to help but fall silent, said, “You’re truly pinning your hopes on that Macaca?”

Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch answered, “The destiny of that Macaca has become unclear; perhaps someday he might indeed defy the heavens and change his fate. Do not underestimate him; he has already learned the concept of Unity of the Three Teachings, and this Daoist Equal to Heaven is his other physical body. Naturally, I have not placed all my bets on him; there are other calculations.”

The Leader of Heaven-Penetrating closed his eyes slightly and said no more. After a moment, Laozi arrived riding on the Green Ox, and the Three Pure Ones began discussing matters in the Jade Void Palace.

Meanwhile, Daoist Equal to Heaven and a group of Daoist experts took several dozen jars of old wine, caught a few fat pheasants and deer along the way, and arrived at Guan Jiangkou. They each took care of their prey by the river, cleaning out the innards, found a hollow among the hills, arranged stone stools around a fire, skewered the pheasants and deer, seasoned them, and roasted them over the fire. After a short while, they began sizzling and oozing oil, the fragrance wafting around, making one’s mouth water.

Yang Jian uncorked the wine and said, “Gentlemen, let’s have a drink before we talk. Meeting here is truly fate. Seeing those bald monks take a loss today was truly exhilarating!”

Most from the Daoist sect do not abstain from alcohol and meat, unlike the Buddhist sect, which, as a rule, does not consume alcohol or meat. Practitioners of Hinayana Buddhism are allowed to eat three types of meat, and deer meat is one of them.

“Come on, we must take a drink.” Zhang Junshi picked up the jug without waiting for anyone, drank heartily and showed that alcohol was as precious as life to him.

The Daoist companions also raised their jugs and took a big gulp, praising the good wine. Although Buddhism was still allowed by Liu Zhuang to spread its teachings in the Eastern Land, the last strike from Confucius was so satisfying! Not to mention Shan Wuwei, the master of the Esoteric Sect, who was hit so hard that he rolled out of Luoyang City. Even the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, one of the highest-ranking of the three thousand Buddhas on Mount Meru, was driven out by Confucius in two moves. It was a sight that brought a sense of relief.

Ancestor Chen Tuan said, “I, the poor Daoist, have slept for many years, and I never expected to sleep for so long. I had no idea that such an incredible person had emerged from Wudang!”

Zhang Junshi replied, “Ancestor Chen Tuan flatters me. I merely caught a glimpse of the heavenly secrets and created the Tai Chi Fist Technique.”

The Daoist Equal to Heaven had the deepest comprehension of the Tai Chi Fist Technique, having gone through a significant experience of life and death, reborn in reversed time and space thanks to the Rebirth Box.

Great life, great death, great enlightenment, great wisdom. Life and death represent yin and yang, life is yang, and death is yin. He had his own insights into Zhang Junshi’s fist technique.

“You’re being too modest, Daoist friend. Among all the martial arts in the world, which one could surpass your Tai Chi? Not even Bodhidharma, the martial arts grandmaster from West Cow He State, could beat you!” said Chen Tuan.

“Haven’t I also never beaten him? Patriarch Bodhidharma really has extraordinary strength, indeed formidable,” Zhang Junshi said.

“If you, Daoist friend, perfect this fist technique further, Bodhidharma will naturally be no match for you. This time, seeing you and Bodhidharma exchange moves was truly an eye-opener for all of us!” Chen Tuan laughed.

Zhang Junshi laughed and said, “Ancestor Chen Tuan truly lives up to his reputation, with just one move forcing Shan Wuwei to spew Samadhi True Fire from all seven orifices.”

“Haha, haha!” Everyone couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “How delightful! Come, let’s drink.”

Chen Tuan asked, “Qi Tian Daoyou, I’ve noticed your divine skills seem quite peculiar, with techniques from the Daoist sect, the golden body from the Buddhist sect, and the spirit from Confucianism. Which cultivation technique are you practicing?”

Daoist Equal to Heaven, stroking his beard, laughed and said, “I, the poor Daoist, have studied the scriptures of the Hundred Schools of Thought. At first, I practiced Taoist Teachings. Later, I chanced upon a scroll of Zazen Visualization Method and then I gained some understanding from Confucianism. Therefore, I integrated all three teachings to adopt the techniques of both Buddhism and Daoism, and then with the central peace and harmony of Confucianism, managed to reconcile fire and water. My fate is in my own hands; I plant lotuses in fire!”

Ancestor Chen Tuan was astonished and said, “Oh? You truly are extraordinary, Qi Tian Daoyou, being able to achieve Unity of the Three Teachings. You have really opened my eyes.”

Subhuti forbade Wukong to mention their sect. Naturally, Daoist Equal to Heaven did not speak on it either, only mentioning his own realizations.

Zhang Junshi said, “This also has some essence of Yin and Yang blending, water and fire fusing. Had it not been for this Buddhist and Daoist Magic Combat, I wouldn’t have known that there are so many experts in the world.”

By then, the roasted meat was ready. Not fearing the heat, everyone grabbed the deliciously fragrant deer meat, sprinkled it with salt and pepper, and ate. It was savory, fragrant, and tender, to the point where Zhang Junshi couldn’t help but shout with pleasure.

Yang Jian asked, “With Buddhism coming to the Eastern Land to spread its teachings, the Son of Heaven of the Great Han is going to build the White Horse Temple in Luoyang for them. What do you Daoist friends think we should do about this?”

Daoist Equal to Heaven knew that it was about time that the Laozi Huahu Jing began spreading. Buddhism began attaching itself to the Huang–Lao School of Thought to propagate its teachings in the Eastern Land, but in later generations, they shamelessly claimed the scripture was complete nonsense as their sect had grown strong enough not to need the support of Huang–Lao teaching. The thickness of the Buddhist sect’s face was quite apparent!

“I just wonder which Buddha Ancestor or Bodhisattva wrote the Laozi Huahu Jing? If I knew, I’d go straight up and kill him,” thought Daoist Equal to Heaven.

However, he contemplated that even if the original writer of the Laozi Huahu Jing were killed, another scripture like the Zhuangzi Transforming Barbarians Scripture or the Primordial Lord Transforming Barbarians Scripture might appear. Thinking it over, it was just a thought—for the moment, he would need to plan slowly.

“What are you thinking about, Qi Tian Daoyou, to be so lost in thought? You should be penalized with three cups of wine!” Unibrow Taoist laughed.

“Ah! I was just lost in thought about some matters. Please forgive me, Daoist friends. I shall penalize myself.” With that, Daoist Equal to Heaven promptly picked up the jug and drank eagerly. He downed the entire jug of wine without a change in expression.

“Truly an impressive capacity for liquor.” Everyone clapped and cheered.

Daoist Equal to Heaven chuckled twice, patted his belly and sat down. Putting aside his thoughts for the moment, he engaged in discussing the Tao and chatted with the other Daoist friends, seeking to build relationships for potential assistance in the future.

To find out what happens next, please stay tuned for the next chapter.