Chapter 19 Sixteen, the whole country welcomes

From a distance, outside the gate of Donghui City, the capital of the Kamaluva Kingdom in East India, there are many banners and buildings, drums and music, and a black crowd... Suddenly, a flying horse came, and the messenger jumped off the horse and knelt down to report to Xuanzang. : "Master, the king personally leads the officials and the people are waiting for you at the city gate." Xuanzang got off his horse and hurried to the city gate when he heard this... After more than ten days of journey, on a sunny day, Xuanzang and his party came to Kamaluva in East India, where they were warmly welcomed by the whole country.King Kumara personally led his ministers to the city gate to greet him.

In the distance, outside the gate of Donghui City, the capital of the Kamaluva Kingdom, there are many banners and buildings, drums and music, and a black crowd... Xuanzang was watching in ecstasy, when suddenly he saw a flying horse coming, and the envoy jumped Get off your horse and kneel down to report to Xuanzang: "Master, the king personally led his officials and people are waiting for you at the gate of the city." When Xuanzang heard this, he quickly got off his horse and went on foot. When he was approaching the city gate, the king also saw the envoy and Xuanzang, hurriedly ordered the drums to be played together, then stepped forward, made a Buddhist salute to Xuanzang, and said:

"Disciple Kumarajiva led all the subjects to welcome the Master." Xuanzang helped the king up with both hands, and according to the Indian custom, he saluted King Kumara and said: "Thank you, the King, for your kind invitation." The officials also performed Buddhist rituals to Xuanzang, and King Kumara happily took Xuanzang's hand and walked to the palace. When they arrived at the palace, the king and Xuanzang went up to the treasure hall hand in hand, and the king asked Xuanzang to sit down beside him. The king said to his ministers: "Master Xuanzang, the Tang monk in China, is the most remarkable eminent monk today. It took him four years to come to India through all kinds of hardships and dangers. After studying for ten years, he is now a master who is proficient in Buddhist scriptures and is famous all over the world."

His Highness let out a sound of admiration. The king went on to say: "Master Xuanzang is not only proficient in Buddhist scriptures, but also has a very high Buddha-nature. He often sends out Bodhicitta and can save all sentient beings. Many evil people are influenced by him to change from evil to good. This is what we need in governing the country. Xuanzang It is really a great fortune for our country of Kamaravā that the master can visit our palace." After the king's introduction, he set up a vegetarian restaurant in the official house to entertain Xuanzang, and asked Xuanzang to speak for all the officials to listen to.

The story of Xuanzang being invited by King Kumara to give lectures quickly spread throughout the country. Many monks and laymen heard the news and came to listen to Xuanzang's teachings, and some were ordained by him. The news reached King Jieri, who was on his way back from the Eastern Expedition, King Jieri was furious when he heard this.I thought to myself, I still want to ask him to argue with the Hinayana, why he went to Kumara, so I sent an envoy to ask Kumara to send Xuanzang. The envoy saw King Kumara and conveyed King Jieri's request.The king heard this and said to the messenger:

"You can take my head, but Master Xuanzang cannot let you take it away." King Jie Ri was furious when he heard the report from the convenient man. He said to the left and right: "King Kumara despised me too much, I want to show him some color." So he sent an envoy to say: "My king asked me to tell you that since you are willing to exchange your head for the mage, please bring your head to me. If you refuse to let mage Xuanzang go and hand over your head, then My king will lead his troops to crush the country of Kamaluva." King Kumara was taken aback when he heard this, and thought, if I don't give it to him, then he will never give up. This may lead to war between the two countries.King Jieri is a powerful lord who has shocked the five Indians. If he really uses force against me, how can our country of Kamaluva be his opponent.But if I hand it over to him, it seems that I am too easy to bully, so I tentatively asked:

"What if I don't?" The messenger said firmly: "In a word, please give me your head to take back." King Kumara said, "What should all the ministers think?" As soon as the words fell, a minister came out of the class and played: "Your Majesty, King Jieri has deceived people too much! Let's not give him Xuanzang, let's see what he dares to do to us!" Another minister said: "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it is better to send Master Xuanzang! Because before you invited him, King Jieri had already invited him, and asked him to debate with the Hinayana Buddhism in Wuda Kingdom. It is said that Master Jiexian He has been designated as the chief debater, but because King Jieri has not yet returned from the Eastern Expedition, they are told to wait for the departure. Now that King Jieri has returned from the Eastern Expedition, of course he should be invited to debate. Let them go, so Xuanzang should be let go."

After hearing this, King Kumara thought to himself, he is stepping down the steps for me, so I can push the boat along with the current and settle the matter, so he went on to say: "Okay, since I want to let him go to debate, then I will let him go. This is for the sake of Mahayana Buddhism, and for the sake of Jiexian Zhengdharma. I can not only let him go, but also send him away. As long as he can win the debate." Seeing this, the envoy hurriedly stepped forward and knelt down to King Kumara and said: "My humble servant, thank you for your wisdom and benevolence. When I go back, I will present your merits in front of King Jieri."

King Kumara heard this and said: "Wait a minute, let Master Xuanzang come and listen to his opinion. Please tell Master Xuanzang!" "Yes." Left and right promised to invite Xuanzang to come. After Xuanzang was invited, the king said: "Dear Chinese Master, I want to keep you very much. Our country needs you, but King Jie Ri sent an envoy to let you go, otherwise my head will be destroyed and my country will be flattened. What do you think? ?” Xuanzang laughed and said: "My lord, Xuanzang preached the Dharma in order to save all sentient beings. If the two countries go to war because of me, it would be against the purpose of Buddhism to save others and save oneself. So, how can Xuanzang feel at peace? His Majesty wants to keep me, but in fact I can’t stay, because I’m about to return to my country, and my country needs me more. The king’s heart has been received by Xuanzang. The poor monk is grateful to the king and all sentient beings in your country for supporting me over the past month.”

As he said that, Xuanzang stepped forward and bowed to King Kumara with palms together, then stood up again and bowed to all the ministers, and then said: "I have been teaching the Dharma in your country for more than a month, and I had planned to leave. Now the king of Jieri came to invite me. One is to debate with Theravada Buddhism and restore the reputation of Mahayana Buddhism. Second, the king of Jieri has invited me many times. I have already He promised to go to their country to give lectures for a period of time. Now that he has sent someone to pick him up, I should go there right away, so that the friendship between the two countries will not be affected, and it is also in line with the original intention of Buddhism to do good and uphold the righteousness. Do you think it is okay, Your Majesty?"

After hearing this, the king was convinced that Xuanzang's words were reasonable, and hurriedly said: "What the master said is very true. Since the master has made up his mind, then we have to reluctantly part with each other. This king will choose a day to escort you there." After hearing this, Xuanzang stepped forward and put his palms together and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." The envoy also stepped forward and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Therefore, Xuanzang finally settled on the matter of being invited to Jieri Kingdom.