According to legend, in the Eastern Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty Li Shimin reigned as Zhenguan. In the past few days, the newly built Daxiangguo Temple in Chang'an has been completed. Taizong will hold a "water and land conference" to praise Buddhism and pass the decree to select a virtuous high-ranking official to preside over it. The abbots of various famous mountain Buddhist temples gathered together and finally selected Master Chen Xuanzang of Jinshan Temple. This Chen Xuanzang is the son of the great scholar Chen Guangrui . He became a monk when he was young. He is familiar with ancient and modern books and history, and is proficient in Buddhist classics. He is a famous eminent monk in the country.
On the same day, Chen Xuanzang went to see Taizong and was ordered to go to Daxiangguo Temple in Chang'an to give lectures and preside over the "Water and Land Conference".
Guanyin Bodhisattva heard about this and knew that Xuanzang was originally the reincarnation of the Western Heaven Golden Chanzi . He was very happy, so he and Mu Zha took the Tathagata's cassock and tin staff and went to the street to sell them.
The Bodhisattva said: "This cassock is made of ice silkworm silk and woven by fairies. There are thousands of various kinds of orbs on it. When you put it on, the colorful clouds will surround you, and wolves, insects, tigers and leopards will not dare to approach. It has the wonderful effect of avoiding evil and protecting yourself."
Taizong asked again about the benefits of the tin staff. The Bodhisattva said: This tin staff is made of copper inlaid with iron, and has nine links made of nine-section fairy vines. With it, you can walk or climb mountains without fear of poison, and it has infinite benefits. "
Taizong was very happy after hearing this and said: "To be honest with the elders, I am currently holding a "Water and Land Conference" and want to buy these two treasures from you and give them to the eminent monk Xuanzang for use. According to the price you mentioned, I will pay you in full.
The Bodhisattva bowed and said, "Amitabha!" Since Master Xuanzang was a virtuous eminent monk and the poor monk had something to say, these two treasures were given to the eminent monk without taking any money. "With that said, he put down his cassock and tin staff and went down to the palace. Taizong summoned Ming Lei and asked him to put on a brocade cassock and hold a nine-ring tin staff. Sure enough, the colorful clouds surrounded the palace and filled the palace with brilliance. Civil and military officials cheered in unison. Emperor Taizong I was overjoyed.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Water and Land Conference again. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty led all the civil and military officials to the Daxiangguo Temple to listen to Master Xuanzang's lecture on the altar. Master Xuanzang was concentrating on chanting, but the Bodhisattva still turned into a man in rags. The monk walked towards the altar and said loudly: "Master Xuanzang, I think you only know the Hinayana teachings, but can you teach the Mahayana teachings?"
When Xuanzang heard this, he came down from the stage and said: The monk Bodhisattva said: "I have never heard of any 'Mahayana teachings', please give me some advice. "
Bodhisattva said: "The Mahayana teachings can transcend the souls of the dead and ascend to heaven, and can save sinners from the sea of suffering. "
At this time, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, who was listening to Xuanzang's lecture, was fascinated. He was suddenly interrupted by the conversation between the two of them. He was about to get angry. When he saw that the person talking to Master Xuanzang was the monk who presented the cassock yesterday, he Feeling uncomfortable, he immediately said: "The great Buddha Dharma is so good, I wonder where I can get it? "
The Bodhisattva said: "I, Buddha Tathagata, can obtain the true sutra at the Great Thunder Sound Temple in the Western Tianzhu Kingdom. "
Taizong then said: "Please recite the true scripture to me. "
When Guanyin Bodhisattva saw that Taizong wanted to listen to the true scripture, he immediately rode up the auspicious clouds, went up to the sky, showed his Dharma body, held a pure willow vase in his hand, and recited the true scripture in mid-air. Taizong and all the civil and military officials were fascinated by it and hurriedly I burned incense and knelt down to worship. When I looked up, I saw that the Bodhisattva was riding on the auspicious clouds and was gradually going away. A post floated down from the air. The post said: "Your Majesty, Lord Tang, there are wonderful texts in the West. If you can get the true scriptures, you can surpass ghosts." Out of the crowd."
After reading the post, Taizong was deeply impressed by the infinite power of the scriptures, and said to the monks present: "Which one is willing to go to the West to obtain the scriptures? "
As soon as he finished speaking, Master Xuanzang said: "In order to protect the peace and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty country and the people, I am willing to do my best to go to the West to retrieve the scriptures. "
Taizong said: "If Master can spare no effort, travel across mountains and rivers, and go to the West to learn Buddhist scriptures, I would like to become a brother with you. "After saying that, he bowed four times to Xuanzang and became brothers.
Choosing an auspicious day and a good time, he wrote a ultimatum for collecting scriptures, sealed the customs clearance seal, and gave Master Xuanzang a purple gold bowl for the purpose of fasting. Send it to "Yu Di Sheng" "Monk" went to the Western Heaven to learn Buddhist scriptures.
