Chapter 1
**At Mount Sumeru, the Great Thunder Sound Temple, and the Mahavirocana Hall**
The ten great disciples of the Tathagata Buddha and all the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas were gathered, listening to the Buddha expound on the true teachings of Buddhism. After the lecture, the Buddha left behind Bodhisattvas Guanyin and Ksitigarbha.
Bodhisattva Guanyin asked the Buddha, “Since you have kept me and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva here, there must be an important task for us?”
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, though curious, patiently awaited the Buddha’s words.
“Indeed, there is an important matter for you both,” the Buddha said. He waved his hand, and a mirror of emptiness appeared before them.
In the mirror, various temples were destroyed, monks were imprisoned and tortured, and even the Buddha's own statue was shattered by axes and knives.
“This scene depicts the state of the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa. My disciples in the Buddhist realm are unable to protect it; how can they save others?” the Buddha said.
“That is indeed troubling,” Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva replied, then suggested, “Why not bring these Buddhist disciples to the Western Bull Heaven Continent to practice?”
“That is a viable idea, but it is not entirely appropriate,” Bodhisattva Guanyin said.
Ksitigarbha asked, “Why not?”
Guanyin Bodhisattva explained, “Among the Four Continents, only Jambudvipa is populous and prosperous, with the most vibrant incense offerings. All gods require offerings to sustain them, and Buddhism is no exception. As Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva suggested, we could bring these disciples to the Western Bull Heaven Continent, but this would only solve a temporary problem. To ensure our future prosperity, we must not neglect the incense offerings from the Eastern Continent of Shenshu.”
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva responded, “Although that is true, everything has its cause and effect. The reason our disciples cannot settle in the Eastern Continent is that it is the domain of the Heavenly Dao Ancestor. If we were to propagate our teachings there, it would harm the Daoist order and thus is unlikely to succeed.”
“You are both correct,” the Buddha said. He added, “The development of our teachings has slowed due to the lack of incense offerings. If this does not change, it may lead to a great calamity for our order.”
The two Bodhisattvas bowed to the Buddha.
“In the absence of clarity, we will proceed in obscurity, yet the paths still lead to the benefit of all beings,” the Buddha said.
“Our Buddha is compassionate; please clarify further,” the two Bodhisattvas responded.
The Buddha smiled and said, “If we cannot go to spread the teachings ourselves, why not send someone else to fetch it?”
“Since you have kept us here today, there must be a suitable candidate?” Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva inquired.
“There is indeed,” the Buddha replied. He raised his palm, which glowed with golden light, and a golden cicada flew out and landed in front of the lotus seat, transforming into a clean monk.
“Master Golden Cicada pays respects to the Buddha,” the monk knelt and said.
The Buddha nodded and explained to the two Bodhisattvas, “The Golden Cicada was once a cicada in this Great Thunder Sound Temple. When the Sacred Mountain was first established, it eavesdropped on my teachings and was later accepted as a named disciple. It was to become my second disciple after Mahākāśyapa, but I foresaw future events. The Golden Cicada had its own merits and thus I did not reveal its disciple status to the others.”
“Our Buddha is insightful,” the two Bodhisattvas said.
The Buddha looked at the Golden Cicada and asked, “Golden Cicada, did you hear our previous conversation?”
The Golden Cicada bowed and said, “Disciple has heard it.”
The Buddha nodded, “Are you willing to accept this position of merit?”
“Disciple is willing to go to the Eastern Land as arranged by the Buddha,” the Golden Cicada replied.
“Very well,” the Buddha said, then addressed Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Golden Cicada will need to take on the identity of a mortal in the Eastern Land. Since you manage the cycle of hell, this task is entrusted to you.”
“Ksitigarbha will follow the order,” Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said, bowing.
The Buddha then addressed Guanyin Bodhisattva, “Golden Cicada’s journey will be fraught with disasters and trials, including nine tribulations. Guanyin Bodhisattva, you should assist him from the side, but do not intervene forcefully in these nine tribulations.”
“Guanyin will follow the order,” Bodhisattva Guanyin said.
...
As winter turned to spring, a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. In the Great Thunder Sound Temple's Mahavirocana Hall, the Buddha and Guanyin were alone together.
“Buddha, Golden Cicada has already undergone two tribulations, both failing due to the intervention of the Heavenly Pavilion General. The Buddha's protection prevented further progress,” Bodhisattva Guanyin reported.
The Buddha nodded, “I had predicted that after two tribulations, Golden Cicada would have a suitable opportunity. Now that the time has come, I have called you here.”
Guanyin nodded and said, “I am listening to the Buddha’s teachings.”
The Buddha waved his hand to reveal a mirage of emptiness, showing a celestial mountain with a celestial stone at its peak. The stone shattered, revealing an egg that transformed into a stone monkey with golden light piercing the clouds...
“Is this stone monkey the opportunity the Buddha spoke of?” Bodhisattva Guanyin asked.
The Buddha replied, “The emergence of this stone monkey signals impending turmoil in the Three Realms. If we can convert this monkey to our Buddhist teachings, it will be a great opportunity for our order to enter the Eastern Land.”
“Guanyin has predicted some turmoil in the Three Realms, but did not expect the stone monkey to be the cause,” Guanyin commented, then added, “From the observation of the mirage, the monkey appears fierce and unruly. Although strong, it does not seem capable of causing such upheaval. Moreover, this monkey is born in the Eastern Continent of Shenshu, under the jurisdiction of the Dao Ancestor. Our attempt to subdue it would attract Heavenly Court's attention and cause unnecessary trouble. However, since the Buddha has summoned me, it must be part of a greater plan.”
“Exactly,” the Buddha said, then continued, “The Perfect Enlightenment Daoist has already transformed into Bodhi Patriarch and accepted the stone monkey as his disciple at Mount Lingtai Fangcun, renaming him Sun Wukong. He has taught the monkey some skills, and now that the monkey is no longer weak, the current small calamity in the Heavenly Court is due to him. This is the best chance to subdue the stone monkey.”
“Since this is the case, what does the Buddha wish for Guanyin to do?” Bodhisattva Guanyin asked.
The Buddha smiled and said, “There are no complicated tasks. The Heavenly Court has sent an invitation. Today, you should attend the gathering as usual. If you encounter any trouble with the monkey, do not mention our Buddhist teachings upfront.”
“Guanyin will follow the Buddha’s instructions and go to the gathering,” Guanyin said, taking the sacred vase and flying away into the clouds.
...
Bodhisattva Guanyin, following the Buddha's instructions, went to the Peach Banquet, while Sun Wukong, as foretold by the Buddha, had already caused a commotion at the Peach Banquet and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain. The Jade Emperor sent several celestial generals to capture him but failed. Guanyin then recommended Erlang Shen, who eventually captured Sun Wukong.
Despite being subjected to various tortures including being cut, struck by lightning, and refined in the alchemical furnace, Sun Wukong could not be subdued. Instead, he developed the ability to see through deception and caused further chaos in Heaven.
The Jade Emperor summoned the Tathagata Buddha, who used his great powers to pin Sun Wukong beneath the Five Elements Mountain, sealing him with a decree in the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa.
Another hundred years passed. At the Great Thunder Sound Temple's Mahavirocana Hall, Guanyin and Ksitigarbha were summoned by the Buddha for a detailed discussion.
Bodhisattva Guanyin said, “Buddha, it seems that the Dao Ancestor of the Heavenly Court is aware of our Western teachings' intentions and has secretly sent the Heavenly Pavilion General to the mortal realm with a nine-toothed rake to take the monkey's life. However, due to the Buddha's protection, he could not approach and eventually gave up.”
“I am aware of this matter,” the Buddha replied.
Guanyin nodded, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva on the side said, “Golden Cicada has passed through three tribulations. I ask the Buddha if he may continue to reincarnate.”
The Buddha calculated and said, “There are still four hundred years until the next opportunity. During these four hundred years, Golden Cicada must reincarnate six times appropriately.”
“Guanyin will follow the Buddha’s instructions,” Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said, bowing.
The
Buddha told Guanyin, “The opportunity to subdue the stone monkey has arrived. I will give you two treasures. You should immediately go to the Five Elements Mountain.”
As he spoke, the Buddha raised his hand to reveal a golden sword and a blue gourd floating before Guanyin.
“These two treasures are the Divine Separation Sword and the Spirit Treasure Gourd. Use the Divine Separation Sword to cut off the heart demon's incarnations, and then use the contents of this gourd on the monkey,” the Buddha instructed.
Guanyin took the Spirit Treasure Gourd, noting the black aura swirling inside, and her expression grew slightly troubled.
“Guanyin understands the Buddha's intent. I will go to the Five Elements Mountain to meet the monkey,” Guanyin said, taking the two treasures and vanishing into the clouds.
---
