Chapter 32 Chapter 31: Journey

The news that the Living Buddha was detained and interrogated was known to the Tibetans.They were outraged by Lazang Khan's actions.Lhasa started a city strike movement.Lhasa, which was originally bustling and noisy, has become a place of protest with silence.People without power use silent anger to vent their confrontation. Lhazang Khan felt annoyed in his heart. It seems that if the sixth Dalai Lama is allowed to stay for one more day, his rule will be more dangerous.He must let Tsangyang Gyatso leave Lhasa as soon as possible. For the first time, Tsangyang Gyatso set off as a prisoner.Every time he set off in the past, he knew his direction, and he also knew his destiny.But this time, he felt that the road ahead was uncertain.Although he knew that he was going to Beijing, where the fifth Dalai Lama had been, but at that time the fifth Dalai Lama was going on a pilgrimage to Beijing, but he was on the road as a prisoner.

Tsangyang Gyatso doesn't understand politics.He didn't know why the emperor wanted him to go to Beijing at this time.Is this protecting him?Or, is there another arrangement for him?He had thought about this question before, but he couldn't figure out what the emperor was thinking.Just as he has never been able to guess his own destiny, his overall life trajectory is a chess game arranged by others. He cannot predict the future, and his future is all in the belly of the chess player. Since you can't guess it, what's the use of guessing.He let the Mongolian soldiers lead him to a large horse.

The last time he rode a horse, he was still a Living Buddha.At that time, in order to prevent the war between Sangye Gyatso and Lhazang Khan, the eminent monks in Lhasa took him to ride a horse and whip him.He still remembers the experience at that time clearly.He remembers the sound of the wind whistling in his ears, he remembers the thrill of galloping on horseback, and he still remembers him at that time, even in the face of dissatisfaction in the road ahead, he still had a mood as vast as the sky. But now, even on a horse, he no longer feels free.Although it is said that the freedom of the heart is the real freedom, but Tsangyang Gyatso has not cultivated to such a free state of mind.Although he didn't see the ropes, shackles, or prison carts, he still knew that he was just a prisoner.Although there are a large group of people guarding him, they are only his guards and escorts.The reason why he can still ride a big horse like a free man now is just because he doesn't want to stimulate the hearts of the world too much.His status as a prisoner has not changed in the slightest.

He sadly rode on his horse and followed the team.He looked at those familiar Tibetan houses and streets, and what remained there were all the songs of the past.But today, he will bid farewell to them, forever. Suddenly, human heads poured out of the silent street, instantly encircling the team.These Tibetans stood around the team with solemn faces, and they even held iron picks and other items that could be used as weapons in their hands.Cangyang Gyatso looked to the distance of the road, and there were more people pouring out from the alley. The soldiers stepped forward to yell at the crowd and let the crowd disperse, but these people did not move.They even shouted: Keep Buddha!Cangyang Gyatso was a little surprised, he didn't know most of the people here, why did they come here?Suddenly, he remembered the enthronement ceremony nine years ago. Those believers once flocked to him devoutly, just to see the Buddha's face and feel the wind blowing the living Buddha. In the past 9 years, although he has rarely appeared in public, he can still feel the love of the world for him.This kind of love, although more of reverence, comes from the heart.He still remembers how the world tolerated him after he disclosed his relationship.He remembered his poems and sang them in the streets and alleys.He remembered the intoxicated affection with which they sang his poems.

Suddenly, he understood that these people really loved him.They love him more because of his poems.They love his nobility, and love his kindness even more, and they regard him as a part of their lives.His eye sockets were instantly moist. In the past, he only knew to love the woman he wanted to love, but these people he didn't know before gave him the greatest love in his heart.It's just that he didn't think about it before, he only regarded them as blind believers.Although he also prayed for them, this kind of him is only doing his homework because of the universal psychology of Buddhism.In his heart, he didn't think about them too much, he just prayed mechanically and according to his own imagination.But now, he understood that the affection they placed on him was not simply worship.

Seeing that the soldiers could not disperse the crowd, the envoy sent by Kangxi said: This is the emperor of the Qing Dynasty inviting the sixth Dalai Lama to the capital as a guest. Please do not delay the Dalai Lama's trip.These words have great power, and those tense nerves collapsed before these words.Since this is not a prisoner's journey, but a journey of glory, what is there to resist?People did not express any doubts about this, they let go of their vigilance, and the belongings in their hands fell to the ground in an instant. Crying broke out from the silence.The pain of separation, the heart-piercing feeling broke out in the depression.Some people began to throw gold and silver from their bodies to Tsangyang Gyatso, and then hada, tsampa, ghee, bracelets, dried fruits, fabrics... all valuable objects that people could take on their bodies were turned into offerings and thrown to lost their Buddha.Tsangyang Gyatso knew that this was the only way they could use to express their respect and blessings.

During this trip where he was treated as a prisoner, Tsangyang Gyatso never imagined that he could receive such courtesy from the Tibetans.Seeing the rain of friendship, Tsangyang Gyatso was so moved that he jumped off his horse and raised his hands high to show his acceptance and gratitude.His eyes were blurred, and he knew that this farewell was likely to be a farewell, and he would leave the world who loved him forever.The only thing he can do is to express his gratitude with such an action. Seeing the living Buddha like this, people knelt down in fear, and the kneeling crowd stretched like a receding tide.They didn't expect that the living Buddha would be so close to them.They know that they have a great living Buddha, and they believe that such a great living Buddha can save their hearts.They wept bitterly and begged the Living Buddha to stay, to come back as soon as possible, and to bless them.But they don't know how the Living Buddha can bless them when he is already in danger!

Tsangyang Gyatso sighed for a long time, he sat on the horse again, and chanted sutras together.The team squeezed out a little gap in the crowded crowd and was able to move on.Along the way, there are still people seeing off, and behind them are reluctant people.Every time you pass a monastery, you can hear the sound of leather drums and dharma horns, and you can see the majestic smoke of pine branches on both sides of the road.Except that there is no gorgeous decoration, this is exactly the same as the grand occasion when Tsangyang Gyatso was enthroned on the bed. Under the Drepung Monastery, thousands of armed lamas who had been ambushing there for a long time rushed down the mountain like thunder, and "swept" away the sixth Dalai Lama like a tornado.

The Drepung Monastery was built in the 14th year of Yongle (1416), Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the six major temples of the Gelug Sect. Together with Ganden Monastery and Sera Monastery, it is called the three major monasteries in Lhasa.It is located at the foot of Gengpiwuzi Mountain in the western suburbs of Lhasa. It is the largest monastery on the way to escort the sixth Dalai Lama to Beijing.The scale of Drepung Monastery is magnificent, and the white buildings with layers of terraces are attached to the mountain, like a huge pile of rice, so it is called "Drepung", which means "rice piled up together" in Tibetan. The full name of "Drepung Monastery" in Tibetan is "Auspicious Jimi Shifang Zunsheng Prefecture".

Drepung Monastery has a deep relationship with the Dalai Lama.The second, third, fourth, and fifth Dalai Lamas were all enthroned here, and the fifth Dalai Lama also held political and religious power in Tibet here.At this time, Ganden Phodrang, the administrative head of Tibet, was also established here.Therefore, it can be called the first of the three major temples of the Yellow Sect.Regardless of religious origin or political perspective, this temple has a deep connection with the Dalai Lama. The monks of Drepung Monastery decided to keep their Living Buddha in Tibet at all costs.They are well aware of the many crises in going to Beijing this time, and they will use all their strength to protect the living Buddha and prevent anyone from taking him away.

This news made Lhazang Khan furious, which despised and questioned his authority.He sent heavy troops to besiege Drepung Monastery, and issued an ultimatum that if Tsangyang Gyatso was not handed over within three days, he would launch an annihilation attack.However, Razang Khan underestimated the power of faith.Facing such a threat, the monks of Drepung Monastery showed their determination to die.Another bloody storm is about to dye the clear sky of Lhasa red again. After a person has experienced a soul-stirring struggle, he will be more or less grateful for his remaining life after the catastrophe.But the young Tsangyang Gyatso did not rejoice that he was out of trouble. On the contrary, he was worried about the upcoming struggle.He is very grateful for Drepung Monastery's great love for him, but he knows Lazang Khan's ambition even more. Even though he didn't communicate much with Lazang Khan, he has already interpreted Lazang Khan's desire for power from Lazang Khan's cunning eyes, which is the unstoppable impulse of a hungry wolf after seeing its prey.In order not to threaten his power and status, Lhazang Khan would rather kill a thousand people in vain than spare one.If he could choose, he would rather let tens of millions of believers not shed blood and sacrifice in vain, even if he sacrificed himself, he would have no hesitation.It's the only thing he can do to the world that loves him. So, on the eve of the battle between the two armies, Tsangyang Gyatso resolutely went to Lazang Khan.It is worthwhile to exchange the lives of thousands of people with one person's life.I am afraid that even Tsangyang Gyatso never imagined that his road of wearing a sinful body is so noble and moving.The difficult decision Tsangyang Gyatso made became the most beautiful swan song in his life.This young man in his early twenties, with his romantic talent and kind and simple disposition, was like a ray of light piercing through the political haze over Lhasa.