The master and disciples arrived at the Guanyin Zen Monastery. Sanzang greeted the monk at the gate with a reverent, palms-together bow.
The monk returned the gesture, smiling. “Forgive my curiosity—where do you hail from? Please, join us for tea.”
“From the Eastern Lands,” replied Tripitaka. “We journey to Thunder Temple for Buddhist scriptures. Night falls, and we seek shelter here.”
The monk led them inside. Above the main hall hung a plaque: “Guanyin Zen Hall.”
The steward urged:
“Kindly join us in the rear chambers for tea.”
Meeting the Patriarch
After tea, the monks announced reverently:
“The Patriarch has arrived.”
Tripitaka bowed: “Venerable Master, your disciple bows to you.”
The Golden Pool (Jinchi) patriarch returned the courtesy and sat.
“Learning of Tang monks’ arrival, I hurried to welcome you.”
“How old might you be?” asked Tripitaka.
“Two hundred seventy years,” replied Jinchi patriarch.
A novice then presented jade trays bearing gilded teacups, followed by another with a bronze pot of fragrant tea.
Tripitaka marveled:
“Such refinement! Never have I seen finer vessels or tasted richer brew!”
The Golden Pool patriarch demurred:
“Your great nation surely boasts greater treasures. Have you brought anything rare to show?”
Tang Monk sighed:
“Alas, I carry nothing of worth on this arduous journey.”
The Monkey King interjected:
“But Master, your brocade cassock is exquisite!”
Tripitaka whispered urgently:
“Peace! Flaunting wealth invites trouble. We’re but weary travelers.”
Wukong scoffed:
“Fear not—I’ll handle consequences.”
Unwrapping the cassock, crimson light flooded the courtyard, suffusing the monastery with celestial radiance.
The Abbot’s Covetous Scheme
The Jinchi patriarch, coveting the cassock, pleaded:
“Might I borrow it tonight for closer study? I’ll return it at dawn.”
Retiring to his chambers, he wept beneath torchlight:
“Two hundred seventy years collecting robes, yet none rival this!”
Monk Great Wisdom(Perfect Wisdom) suggested:
“Kill them! They’re exhausted—an easy task.”
Monk Big Plan(Grand Design) countered:
“Burn the meditation halls! Blame their carelessness. No blood, no guilt.”
The monks cheered and gathered firewood.
The Monkey King’s Counterplot
The Pilgrim, being a spirit monkey, remained vigilant even in sleep, refining his energy. Sensing the monks’ restless activity, he transformed into a bee and flew to the rooftop.
To his shock, he discovered monks piling hay and firewood around their meditation hall to burn them alive. “They covet the cassock! I should slaughter them all with my staff… but Master would rage at my violence. Better to outwit them.”
Monkey King raced to the Heavenly Palace and borrowed the Fire-Repelling Cover(Fireproof Blanket) from Virupaksa, the Broad-Eyed Devaraja(Deva King of Wide Eyes). Returning swiftly, he draped it over Tripitaka, the horse, and their belongings.
When the monks ignited the pyre, Wukong crossed his fingers, chanted a spell, and blew fiercely. A tempest arose, transforming the blaze into an inferno that engulfed the entire monastery.
The Black Wind Demon’s Opportunism
The flames drew the Black Wind Demon from nearby Black Wind Mountain. Alarmed, he cried:
“Guanyin’s Temple is ablaze! Those careless monks—I’ll aid them!”
Riding his cloud, he rushed to the scene. Yet instead of fetching water, he spotted the cassock’s radiant glow in the patriarch’s quarters. Greed consumed him. Ignoring the fire, he seized the cassock and fled to his mountain lair.
Aftermath of the Inferno
At dawn, Xuanzang awoke to smoldering ruins.
“What happened? Why is everything destroyed?”
Wukong explained:
“You’re not dreaming. The monks set the fire to steal your cassock. My protection spared you.”
As they confronted the wailing monks, the Monkey King demanded:
“Return our cassock!”
The monks cowered:
“The patriarch and Grand Design (Big Plan monk) plotted this! The cassock is in the patriarch’s chambers!”
Bursting into the patriarch’s quarters, Wukong found his corpse—suicided, the cassock gone.
Leave a Reply