Chapter 21 18. Shocking India

At the Dharma Conference in Qunucheng, Xuanzang preached for eighteen days, but no one dared to argue against him.Xuanzang achieved great success. Under the arrangement of King Jieri, Xuanzang rode an elephant on a tour of Qunu City, which caused a sensation in the city.There are few men and women, monks and laymen of all religions follow the elephant to celebrate the tour.Xuanzang smiled modestly on the back of the elephant, and put his palms together to thank the four parties... The sky in Qunv City is clear and the sun is shining brightly. On this day, the flags and flags are blowing in the wind, and thousands of heads are thronging.

The monks and laymen of Tianzhu poured in from all directions like a flood... People talked excitedly, and an old man said to his friend: "I heard that a Chinese Tang monk was going to give a lecture here today, so my son and I came here in the middle of the night." "Yes, yes, we arrived at midnight just like you." Qunu City is a famous cultural city in ancient India, located on both sides of the Ganges River.It is the capital of the country of Karajuja in North India, and also the center where the famous King Jieri ruled the five Indias.Located in Central India, this kingdom is the most powerful country in all of India, with a radius of four thousand miles, numerous Buddhist temples and numerous monks.The king respected Buddhism very much.

The Dharma Conference in Qunv City, lectured by Xuanzang, is about to begin. Xuanzang excitedly stands at the gate of the conference and welcomes the people who come by with clasped hands. The kings of five Indian countries and eighteen countries attended the meeting. They all came at the invitation of King Jieri, and they all made great gifts to Xuanzang. Over 3,000 monks from Mahayana and Mahayana Buddhism were selected to attend the Fa Conference.Monks from all religions saluted Xuanzang excitedly. What excited Xuanzang the most was that more than a thousand monks from the Nalanda Monastery, who had studied with him for five years, also came.

"Ah! Isn't that Senior Brother Juexian?" Xuanzang happily ran over, and the two held hands tightly. Xuanzang said: "You have worked hard. How is Master Jiexian?" "Okay, Master said I wish you the Dzogchen in propagating the Dharma." "Thank you, Master. This disciple will never disappoint Master's teachings." On the beautiful and vast west bank of the Ganges River, there are tens of thousands of tents meeting the clouds in the big flower forest, and the sun is covered by banners and banners... Five Indian monks and laymen are stationed here, and subjects from more than 20 countries have arrived.Looking from a distance, there are thousands of heads, and it is very lively.

There are many newly built temples, the golden tile roofs are shining in the bright sun, and the red carpets outside the palaces of more than 20 countries are shining with brilliance. Among them, a large temple built by King Jieri is the most eye-catching. There are golden elephants in the courtyard and guards outside. The solemn and solemn monk... The Dharma Assembly of Qunv City will be held here. The venue is two specially built large halls, each of which can accommodate more than a thousand people.This morning, there are many flags and banners, incense burners are burning smoke, and the opening ceremony of the Dharma Assembly will be held outside the hall.

When the time came, the golden drums rang together, Sanskrit music played, and three hundred elephants marched in line. There are three elephants headed by them, and in the golden tent held on the back of the golden elephant in the middle is a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. King Kumara of Brahma. The two kings are both dressed in Buddha's stock, wearing a sky crown on their heads, garlands, beads, and jade beads hanging around their necks, guarding both sides of the Buddha statue. Behind is the elephant on which Xuanzang was riding, followed by two elephants with upright lids on the left and right, and people kept throwing flower petals to them...

Afterwards, 300 elephants on which the kings and ministers of 18 countries came successively.Then, there are eminent monks from various temples, all walks of life including Brahmans and heretics, famous people from all over the world... The team started from the residence of King Jie Ri, marched for five kilometers and entered the venue, where they were seated one by one.The Buddha statue was placed directly above it. After the King of Jieri led everyone to worship the Buddha statue, he ordered fasting meals to be sent inside and outside the courtyard. After the fasting, alms was announced.

King Jie Ri gave the Buddha a gold plate, seven gold bowls, a gold bath jar, a gold tin staff, and money and clothing. After the alms was finished, King Jie Ri ordered to carry the precious bed and placed it in front of him. He respectfully invited Xuanzang, the Lord of Discourses, to ascend to the throne, and then personally announced the start of the Dao Discussion Conference! First of all, Xuanzang stood up and bowed to the Buddha, King Jieri, King Kumara and other monks, and then asked the wise master of Nalanda Temple to recite "Suppressing Evil Views" on his behalf. Hang the thesis on the precious bed, and post the copied copy outside the hall tent for outsiders to watch.

Master Mingxian also publicly declared: "Whoever refutes a word, Master Xuanzang will kill himself to apologize." So Xuanzang began to speak, and welcome to challenge and question at any time, but no one dared to rise up from morning till night. For five days in a row, only the mage gave the lecture, but still no one rose up to attack. Maybe it's because the mage spoke so well that all the monks were introduced to the vast Buddhist realm by him, and were overwhelmed and shocked by his profound insights; maybe it was because the mage was too kind and solemn that everyone respected him less than , who would still be willing to challenge him; perhaps it was because the mage's journey to India was too thrilling and legendary, so everyone was moved by his spirit, and of course they would not deliberately make things difficult.

So for five days in a row, no one challenged Xuanzang. However, the conflict among religious sects did not stop because of this. After the fifth day of Xuanzang's preaching, Theravada Buddhism and heretics touched their sects because of Xuanzang's promotion of Mahayana scriptures, so they were dissatisfied and planned to get rid of Xuanzang. At night, they gathered secretly, preparing to kill Xuanzang. King Jieri was very angry when he heard the news, so he announced at the Dharma meeting on the morning of the sixth day: "The Chinese high school teachers traveled thousands of miles to learn the scriptures, just to show the great law and promote Buddhism. I, King Kumara and the eighteen kings, specially invited him to come to teach the Dharma. Master Xuanzang wanted to return to the country, but the hospitality was hard to come by. He did not refuse our invitation and came to attend the Fa conference, we should thank him, how can we harm the Master."

King Jieri paused, looked around with his majestic eyes, and continued: "Furthermore, Master's Buddha's mind shines all over the world, and his Dharma reaches all directions. He has profound scriptures and profound knowledge. Isn't it our luck that we can listen to him? However, there are a small group of people who cannot tolerate him and try to harm Master. Therefore, in order to maintain our Dharma Conference and protect the dignity of Buddhism, I declare that no one may harm the Master, and any outside evil ways shall not unreasonably make things difficult for the Master. Otherwise, those who violate it will be beheaded!" After King Jie Ri made the announcement, the mage was asked to continue to preach. Although Xuanzang knew that Hinayana and heretics were not willing to fail, he was not afraid, thinking that he almost died several times on the way to learn the scriptures, compared with this, it was nothing. What's more, even if you die, it is worthwhile. To die for the sake of the Buddha's teaching is a worthy death.Thinking of this, Xuanzang became more frank. He continued to talk, and asked all directions with a smile: "If there is anything that is not in line with Buddhism, please criticize." King Jieri also sent troops to defend, adding majestic soldiers inside and outside the venue. Seeing this, those who attempted to murder the mage did not dare to act rashly. In this way, Xuanzang successfully preached the Dharma for eighteen days. During this period, no one dared to make things difficult for the Master. Xuanzang preached the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures and praised the Buddha's immeasurable merits and virtues of arousing the Bodhi mind and saving all sentient beings.As a result, people abandoned Hinayana one after another and turned to Mahayana, and crooked sects also abandoned evil people and righteous people one after another.For a time, the prestige of Mahayana Buddhism was unprecedented, and the puja received a satisfactory effect. Today, the weather is fine and the sun is shining.The Closing Ceremony will be held soon. When the time came, King Jieri announced very happily: "This is the end of the speech conference." Then King Jieri asked people to offer 10,000 pieces of money, 30,000 pieces of silver and 100 pieces of clothing and cassocks; Here comes the Master of Giving Money and Treasures.But Xuanfan didn't take anything, which greatly moved the kings, monks and common people. The princess came over and presented a bouquet of pure white jasmine flowers to Xuanzang. She put her hands together and said, "I wish Master a great success. I dedicate this bouquet of jasmine Buddha flowers to you. May you spread holiness and fragrance to Xuanzang like a Buddha flower." sentient beings." Xuanzang's heart was shocked, he quickly bowed his head, and expressed his thanks with palms together: "Thank you princess for your grace." The Lord of the Rings announced: "Please ask the mage to ride an elephant for a tour!" So the courtiers brought an elephant with solemn cloaks and propped up the canopy, and asked the mage to ascend to the throne, but Xuanzang refused but had to ride on the back of the elephant.King Jieri ordered his ministers to accompany him on the tour, and asked the monks to hold the monk's cassock and sing in front of the elephant along the way: "The Chinese Dharma master established the Mahayana righteousness and broke all different opinions. For eighteen days, no one dared to argue. Everyone should know." Xuanzang rode an elephant on a pilgrimage in Qunu City, which caused a sensation. Men, women, old and young, monks and laymen of all religions followed the elephant to celebrate the pilgrimage. Xuanzang smiled modestly at everyone on the back of the elephant, and bowed in all directions with his palms together. Xuanzang won honor for Buddhism, and the prestige of Buddhism was unprecedented. The eminent monks were very happy, and presented Xuanzang with two good names.The title given to him by the Mahayana is "Mahayana Deva", which means "Mahayana Heaven"; After the pilgrimage, the monks and laymen held incense and flowers and gathered around to congratulate the master. Xuanzang's name became a household name in India.From then on, Xuanzang's virtue spread farther and farther... After the Dharma conference, Xuanzang came to bid farewell to King Jieri and was about to return home.But King Jieri refused and said to him: "Since my disciple came to the throne, I have been the lord of the world for more than 30 years, but I am always worried that my merits and virtues will not be great, so I am accumulating treasures. Every five years, I will hold an unsheltered meeting between the two rivers of the Parayaga Kingdom. The Brahmins, the poor, the widowed, and the poor will carry out a 75-day large charity. This meeting has been held five times, and it is about to be held for the sixth time. I sincerely hope that the master will stay and help the disciples." Xuanzang was very moved when he heard this. He had never seen such a generous and sympathetic king, so he replied: "What a Bodhisattva does is the cultivation of blessings and wisdom. Your Majesty is so generous in giving, and you don't spare money. Xuanzang's admiration is not as high as that. How can you not help? Xuanzang would like to postpone his return to the country and go with the king." Hearing this, King Jieri was overjoyed and lamented that Xuanzang's character was indeed worthy of his reputation, so he made up his mind to organize an unprecedented big unshielded meeting in India to spread alms for monks and laymen.On both sides of the Ganges, there are crowds of people.The five-year Uncovered Giving Conference is about to begin. Half a million people gathered here from all over India for the charity event. The whole venue is set up on the plain at the confluence of two rivers. The plain is fifteen miles around and is as flat as a mirror. Since ancient times, kings have given alms (donations) here.It is said that giving a penny here is better than giving a thousand pennies elsewhere. Therefore, this treasure land of giving has been highly valued throughout history.King Jieri built more than a thousand towers on both sides of the Ganges. King Jieri and other kings built houses here to store gold and silver treasures, and built many long houses that can accommodate thousands of people and various houses and shops.On both sides of the river, temporary palaces for King Jieri and other eighteen kings were also built. In the early morning of this day, the red sun rose in the east, and the sun was shining brightly. The Grand Opening Ceremony will be held at the Grand Opening Ceremony initiated by King Jie Ri himself. First of all, the water and land armies of the kings of South and North India entered the venue. King Jieri and King Kumara of the East India sat on the north tower boat, and there were neatly formed, mighty and majestic sailors on the deck.King Baja of South India led a majestic elephant army to the venue, and the kings of 18 countries also accompanied each other on both sides. When the auspicious day arrived, King Jieri announced: "The Sixth All-India Uncovered Giving Conference begins now!" Drum music was played high, applause rang together, and people cheered and threw flowers to the eighteen kings including King Jieri, King Kumara, and King Baja... On the day of the Uncovered Meeting, people worshiped, offered incense and presented flowers to the Buddha statue. All countries offered exquisite treasures, clothing and delicacies to the Buddha statue. The next day, the statue of Ritian was enshrined and treasures were presented. On the third day, grandly set up the statue of Zizai Tian. On the fourth day, donate to 10,000 monks.The recipients are a group of a hundred people, neatly arranged in a hundred rows, which is very spectacular. Each person receives a hundred money, one Wenzhu, and clothing, fast food, etc. After that, he gave alms to Brahmins, which lasted for more than 20 days. Then, give alms to heretics, and it will take ten days to finish the alms. Giving alms to those who come from afar will take up to ten days. Donate to the poor and widowed, starting and ending in more than a month. The charity lasted for more than 70 days, until the property accumulated by the government treasury in the past five years was emptied, and finally only elephants, horses, weapons, etc. were left, which were used to defend the country, conquer riots, and guard temples. Xuanzang, who was sitting next to King Rongri, had witnessed all this for seventy days and was very moved. Xuanzang saw with his own eyes that King Jieri put the clothes, treasures, and jewelry on his body... He gave it all away, and only asked his sister for a cheap dress to wear. Xuanzang stared dumbfounded... He felt as if the bodhisattvas had manifested their spirits, and each of them became a living bodhisattva who is merciful and compassionate to all living beings.For a moment, he was suddenly touched by the kindness of the world, which made him more convinced of the ancient Buddhist way that "everyone has Buddha nature" and "all living beings can become Buddhas". Just as Xuanzang was thinking, he saw the princess walking over and presenting Xuanzang with her most expensive string of Buddhist beads. The princess said affectionately: "I heard that there is an old saying in China called 'Falling leaves return to their roots'. The master is eager to return to the country, which shows the master's nostalgia for his homeland. This is exactly the Buddha nature of the master. The disciple deeply admires it." Then he bowed to Xuanzang... When she put the Buddhist beads on Xuanzang's neck, her affectionate gaze on Xuanzang and the fragrance of jasmine flowers from her neck made Xuanzang, who was sitting upright, dizzy for a while and almost moved his heart. Although Xuanzang is a monk, he is also a person of flesh and blood. From several conversations, he can see that the princess is a very insightful, knowledgeable and well-educated person about Buddhism. She doesn't talk much, but her words Zhuji, Xuanzang was shocked by every word. For example, she gave her congratulatory speech after hearing Xuanzang's sermon for the first time: "...the master is a real living Buddha. The Buddhist teachings he said are like candlelight in the dark, which immediately illuminates the hearts of all living beings." At the end of the Dharma meeting in Qunvcheng, she came over and offered a bouquet of flowers to the master and said: "... I wish the master a great success, and this bouquet of jasmine Buddha flowers is dedicated to you. Like a Buddha flower, it spreads holiness and freshness to all living beings." And the words he said when he presented the Buddhist beads just now... Xuanzang will never forget them. Just as he was thinking, a burst of thunderous cheers woke him up from his reverie. It turned out that King Jieri got up and worshiped the Buddhas of the ten directions, and said to all living beings: "I have been accumulating treasures recently, and I often worry that I can't find an ideal and solid storage room. Now the treasures I have accumulated in the past five years have been stored in the Ten Thousand Peoples Field of Fortune. This is the real and solid storage place. If I still have an afterlife, Then I still want to spread the accumulated wealth to all sentient beings, so as to cultivate merit.” Xuanzang looked at King Jieri very excitedly. He was moved by his Buddha heart. He wanted every country and every monarch to have the Buddha heart of King Jieri, so the world would be less greedy and less greedy. How many traitors are missing, so that all living beings can escape from the sea of ​​suffering... The unsheltered meeting, which lasted for more than 70 days, was successfully concluded. The monks and laymen happily dispersed with the money raised, and the kings of various countries were also preparing to go back.They all wish each other: See you in five years! King Jieri, King Kumara, King Baja and the Eighteenth Kings all discussed the holding of the next Unsheltered Meeting in the Buddhist tent.Xuanzang bid farewell to them and prepared to return home.After saluting the kings with palms together, he said: "Respected King Jieri and kings of various countries: It has been ten years since my disciples went to India to learn scriptures and Dharma. The teachings given to me by the kings of Mongolia and Guizhou and the eminent monks of Buddhist temples have been successfully completed. I should return home quickly to carry forward the orthodoxy. Live up to the expectations of the people. I am here to bid farewell, and hope that the kings will support you." King Jieri stood up anxiously when he heard this, and said: "Mage is not allowed, please stay longer, I am still going to spread the Dharma with you?" King Kumara also said anxiously: "Master, please stay, I will build a hundred Buddhist temples for the master." Xuanzang heard this, and said: "Dear kings, thank you for your kindness. It's not that Xuanzang doesn't appreciate it, but that the poor monk has been away from the motherland for more than ten years. The original intention of the poor monk to learn the scriptures is to promote the righteous way in the motherland. Now that I have learned the right way, how can I not be in a hurry to return to the country to serve the country? To rectify the name of Buddhism and promote Buddhism? I am afraid this is also the wish of the kings! Now that I have made up my mind, I respectfully ask the kings not to keep it anymore." After hearing this, Jieri Wang's younger sister felt very sympathetic, and persuaded her elder brother: "Brother Wang, the mage is Chinese. He is eager to return to his homeland to spread the Tao. This is a good thing. We cannot hinder others. It is against the will of the Buddha to obstruct the right thing. Let the mage go!" King Jieri glanced at his sister and saw her smiling and nodding to Xuanzang. King Jieri sighed and had no choice but to say: "Since this is the case, I have to let the mage go back. It's a pity!" Xuanzang hurriedly got up and put his palms together to express his thanks to King Jieri and all the kings. King Jie Ri asked again: "But I don't know which way the mage wants to go? If it is by sea, I will send ships and envoys to escort it." Xuanzang replied: "Originally going by sea is the fastest way, but when Xuanzang came, he passed through Gaochang Kingdom. The king there was very friendly to me and gave me various care and support. Xuanzang promised to return to the country. The scriptures are taught there, so you have to take the northern road by land.” King Jieri said again: "It's amazing that the mage is so faithful. I can provide whatever the mage needs." Xuanzang stood up and thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Xuanzang doesn't need anything." King Jieri praised again: "Don't be greedy, the master has really practiced to the Buddha's realm."