Chapter 3: Burning The Zen Temple
However, Sun Wukong arrived at Black Wind Mountain and indeed saw three demons: a black man, a Daoist priest, and a white-robed scholar. The three were gathered together, saying they would hold a Buddhist Robe Gathering the day after tomorrow.
Sun Wukong was filled with anger in his heart. He jumped down and struck the white-robed scholar dead with one blow of his staff, then chased after the black man.
The black man fled back to Black Wind Cave, fetched his weapon and armor, and came out to fight Sun Wukong.
The two fought for a while, with no clear winner.
Ao Tu watched from the air and felt that Sun Wukong was even more formidable. If it had been him fighting, he feared he wouldn’t last more than a few rounds before being defeated and fleeing. Only by relying on his innate divine abilities in the water could he fight him evenly.
After fighting like this for half a day, the Black Bear Spirit retreated into the cave. Sun Wukong attacked the gate but couldn’t open it, so he had no choice but to return.
The next morning, Tang Sanzang again ordered Sun Wukong to go find the kassaya.
This time, Sun Wukong transformed into the appearance of Elder Jinchi, wanting to trick them into giving him the kassaya. Unfortunately, the Black Bear Spirit saw through it, and the two fought for half a day, with no clear winner.
On the third day, Tang Sanzang again urged Sun Wukong to go find the kassaya. With no other plan, Sun Wukong thought that this place was called Guanyin Monastery, which was the incense and fire of Guanyin Bodhisattva, so he went to the South Sea for help.
Here, Ao Tu saw Sun Wukong heading to the South Sea and knew the Black Bear Spirit was about to be subdued, so he prepared to start his own plan.
He flew down from the clouds and used a transformation spell, turning himself into the appearance of Ananda.
At this time, Guanyin Monastery had already been burned down by a big fire, but the monks, young and old, did not dare to flee. They were threatened by Sun Wukong and had to serve Tang Sanzang here. Guangzhi and Guangmou were stoking the fire and cooking.
Ao Tu had once been the bell ringer under Tathagata Buddha in the Western Heaven and knew some Buddhist dharma. Now transformed into Ananda, he was surrounded by Buddha’s light, just like the real one, and landed in front of Guangzhi and Guangmou.
Guangzhi and Guangmou, with mortal eyes, how could they recognize Ao Tu’s true form?
They only thought a true god had descended and hurriedly bowed down.
Ao Tu said: “I am Venerable Ananda from under Buddha Ancestor Tathagata in the Western Heaven. I am coming from the Ullambana Festival and passing by this place. Seeing the temple burned down and the Buddha statue shattered, I have appeared to ask you two: how was this monastery burned down? You two, as disciples of the Buddhist sect, why are you serving mortals here?”
Hearing this, Guangzhi and Guangmou did not dare tell half a lie. They kowtowed repeatedly and told Ao Tu the whole story.
After hearing this, Ao Tu said:
“You have been deceived. I see that Tang Sanzang and his disciples are two monsters. They deliberately burned down the monastery to plot for the treasure accumulated over a hundred years in your monastery.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou were shocked upon hearing this.
Guangzhi said: “That Tang Sanzang is actually a monster!”
Guangmou said: “In that case, that pilgrim really does seem like a monster.”
The two looked at Ao Tu together and said: “Venerable, these two are actually monsters—what should we do?”
Ao Tu said: “You two quickly go report to officials and ask the government officials to come capture Tang Sanzang and his disciples.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou doubtfully said: “Venerable, since they are monsters, ordinary government officials probably can’t capture them. Why don’t you personally subdue the demons?”
Ao Tu said: “These two demons are pretending to be monks from the Tang Dynasty, so this venerable one cannot act personally. Once the government officials arrive, if these two demons use magic power and reveal their true forms, this venerable one will then act to subdue them.”
Hearing this, Guangzhi and Guangmou felt relieved and said:
“We shall obey the venerable’s teachings.”
The two immediately prepared to go down the mountain to report to officials.
Ao Tu said again: “Wait.”
The two hurriedly turned back and asked:
“What further instructions does the venerable have?”
Ao Tu said: “When you go, do not reveal my name, lest you leak heavenly secrets and alert the two monsters to escape.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou asked:
“Venerable, what should we say when we get to the government officials?”
Ao Tu said: “Just say that two thieving monks came to the monastery, plotting to seize the monastery’s treasure, and set fire to burn down the monastery, so you have come to report to officials.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou said: “Yes.”
Ao Tu said again: “Leave one person behind to stall the monsters.”
Guangzhi and Guangmou agreed again.
After discussing, Guangmou stayed behind to stall Tang Sanzang, while Guangzhi went down the mountain to report to officials.
After his plan succeeded, Ao Tu turned and flew back into the clouds.
Sometimes, to obstruct this pilgrim, one doesn’t necessarily need great power—mortals may be even more troublesome than demons.
On the other side, Sun Wukong went to the South Sea and sought Guanyin Bodhisattva’s help.
When returning to Black Wind Mountain, he ran right into the Black Bear Spirit preparing the Buddhist Robe Gathering.
The old Daoist priest who had fled the day before was holding a tray with two elixirs on it and bumped right into Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong immediately swung his staff and struck the old Daoist dead—it was a wolf spirit.
Looking at the tray, Sun Wukong had an idea. He asked Guanyin Bodhisattva to transform into a Taoist priest while he transformed into a pill, so they could go subdue the Black Bear Spirit.
Unable to withstand Sun Wukong’s repeated entreaties, Guanyin Bodhisattva had no choice but to agree. She transformed into the appearance of that Taoist priest and entered Black Wind Cave, offering the pills.
The Black Bear Spirit, unaware of the scheme, ate the pill that Sun Wukong had become and was entered by Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong made a great disturbance inside, causing the Black Bear Spirit to roll on the ground in pain.
Guanyin Bodhisattva revealed her true form, took the kassaya from the Black Bear Spirit, and took out a hoop, throwing it onto the Black Bear Spirit’s head.
The hoop took root on his head. Guanyin Bodhisattva recited a spell, and the Black Bear Spirit’s head immediately felt like it was splitting open as he rolled wildly on the ground.
Guanyin Bodhisattva said: “Evil beast, are you willing to convert to my Buddhism?”
The Black Bear Spirit did not dare refuse and hurriedly said: “I am willing to convert, but please spare my life!”
Guanyin Bodhisattva subdued the Black Bear Spirit and instructed him to be the Mountain Guardian Great God on Luojia Mountain, then returned directly to the South Sea.
After bidding farewell to Guanyin Bodhisattva, Sun Wukong cast a spell to start a fire, burning Black Wind Cave into a red hollow.
By the time Sun Wukong returned, it was already past noon, and the sun was setting in the west.
Tang Sanzang got the kassaya back and repeatedly thanked the Bodhisattva for her help. He then ordered Sun Wukong to quickly pack the luggage and prepare to set off.
Sun Wukong said: “Master, don’t be hasty. It’s late, so why not journey westward tomorrow morning.”
Remembering Ao Tu’s instructions, Guangmou hurriedly led the crowd of monks in kneeling and pleading:
“Lord Sun is right: firstly, it’s late; secondly, we have not yet thanked you, Lord. We hope you will set off tomorrow morning.”
Tang Sanzang thus agreed.
