Time flew like an arrow. Over five centuries passed, and the mortal realm entered the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Taizong decreed the selection of a eminent monk to expound Buddhist teachings. After careful deliberation, the court chose Master Xuanzang—a monk of profound virtue and unmatched mastery of scripture since childhood.
Gathering 1,200 high monks at Huasheng Temple(Temple of Transformation) in Chang’an, Xuanzang led meditation and lectures, often attended by the emperor himself.
Plan to Retrieve Sacred Texts
One day, the formal celebration of the Grand Mass of Land and Water was to take place. Xuanzang presented the Tang emperor with a memorial, inviting him to raise the incense. Upon receiving the notice, Taizong sent for his carriage and led many of his officials, both civil and military, as well as his relatives and the ladies of the court, to the temple.
At the same time, the Bodhisattva and Moksa joined the crowd to see how the mass is going.
On the platform, that Master of the Law recited for a while the Sūtra of Life and Deliverance for the Dead; he then lectured for a while on the Heavenly Treasure Chronicle for Peace in the Nation , after which he preached for a while on the Scroll on Merit and Self-Cultivation.
“What that Master of yours was lecturing on,” said the Bodhisattva, “happens to be the teachings of the Little Vehicle, which cannot lead the lost up to Heaven. In my possession is the Tripitaka, the Great Vehicle Law of Buddha, which is able to save the damned, deliver the afflicted, and fashion the indestructible body.”
Delighted, Taizong asked eagerly, “Where is your Great Vehicle Law of Buddha?”
“At the place of our lord, Tathāgata,” said the Bodhisattva, “in the Great Temple of Thunderclap, located in India of the Great Western Heaven. It can untie the knot of a hundred enmities; it can dispel unexpected misfortunes.”
Emperor Taizong asked the monks, “Who will journey to the Western Heaven to retrieve these sacred texts?”
Before the words faded, Xuanzang stepped forward. “Though unworthy, I pledge to serve Your Majesty, even at the cost of my life, to bring back the true scriptures.”
Delighted, Emperor Taizong swore brotherhood with Xuanzang, honoring him as “Imperial Brother and Holy Monk”. He bestowed a brocade kasaya(Buddha’s cassock) and nine-ringed staff—gifts from Guanyin Bodhisattva—and declared, “You shall bear the Dharma name ‘Sanzang’(Tripitaka).”
The Journey Begins
The next day, the emperor led his court to bid farewell at the frontier. He gifted Sanzang(Tripitaka) a purple-gold alms bowl, a thousand-mile horse, and two seasoned travelers as companions.
Sanzang(Tripitaka) bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, I vow not to return unless I retrieve the true scriptures!” With these words, he departed, embarking on a pilgrimage that would etch his name into legend.
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