Chapter 1228 Xuanzang debates machine and Gao Yang
Golden autumn in October, the wind is light and the clouds are calm, and the sun is just right.
Today, the yamen is closed for ten days, and Xuanzang, as a non-staff member of the Xijing Bureau of the Zhenfu Division, also gets a paid holiday. After a light lunch, Xuanzang continued his writing.
The tenth volume of the Great Tang Western Regions has been written. This book is what he saw and heard along the way when he was supported by the crown prince Chengqian to go to the Western Regions. He traveled to more than 200 countries and city-states along the way. I hope he will record these as important documents.
Xuanzang traveled westward for several years, seeking scriptures and asking Buddha along the way, learning to translate countless Buddhist and Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, and also translating Laozi, Analects and other books in the Central Plains of China into Sanskrit and teaching them to other countries.
Recalling the five-year experience of studying abroad and seeking Buddhism in Nalanda Temple in Tianzhu, it seems like just yesterday.
He refused the retention of King Jieri of Tianzhu, resigned as the national teacher, and returned to the Tang Dynasty with only five hundred and twenty folders of Mahayana Buddhist scriptures and six hundred and fifty-seven volumes.
It's a pity that he was funded by the prince to go to the Western Regions, but when he came back, he didn't get the treatment he had before. The Buddhist scriptures were banned as soon as he entered the border, and he was escorted back to Chang'an by the border soldiers.
Fortunately, in the end, the Zhenfu Department recruited him as a non-staff member, which saved him from prison or exile.
The scriptures brought back were banned and confiscated, and he was not allowed to preach the scriptures and the Dharma, but this did not defeat him, and he still maintained a strong calm.
Every day in his free time when he was writing the Great Tang Dynasty Records of the Western Regions, he would quietly use the paper, pen and ink used to write the Records of the Western Regions to recite the scriptures he learned in the Western Regions.
Bian Ji brought him a new roll of paper.
"Teacher, I'm here."
Thirty-year-old Bianji mage is handsome and heroic, with an extraordinary bearing. He was shaved off at the age of fifteen, and he was named Dazongchi Temple. He was a disciple of the master Daoyue. He became a monk at Huichang Temple in Chang'an.
For more than ten years, he has devoted himself to the study of Buddhism. He traveled eastward with Xuanzang to the Japanese country to promote Buddhism. He was well versed in the Mahayana scriptures and was deeply respected in the Japanese country. After Xuanzang returned to the country, he went to the Western Regions, and Bianji continued to spread the Dharma in the Japanese country In a few years, he became one of the nine great virtues of the Japanese kingdom at that time.
Dade, transliterated in Sanskrit as Podan Tuo, in Tianzhu, is a respectful title for Buddha, Bodhisattva or eminent monk.
In the country of Wa, the eminent monks who came from the Tang Dynasty to spread the Dharma and Buddhism were respected and virtuous. The great virtue of the inscription is the eminent master of the Buddhist scriptures of the Tang Dynasty.
It is said that the queens, princesses, concubines, and noble ladies of the Wa Kingdom love this great virtue very much, and they often go to see him. Anyway, during those years in the Wa Kingdom, the Bianji was so beautiful that even the Wa Kingdom could interfere in the government affairs, and was regarded by the Queen as a National Division.
But later Bianji crossed the sea and returned to Tang, saying that he had heard that Xuanzang had come back and wanted to learn the scriptures he had brought back from the west, but it is said that he ran away, because although he was in the country of Japan, although the Dharma was profound, he was not in harmony with the nobles of the country of Japan. The women and others were entangled, not only had an ambiguous relationship with the queen, but even had an overly close relationship with a princess, and was involved in a treason case as a result.
Bian Ji almost lost his life, but fortunately the Queen tried her best to protect her, so she escaped in the end, but she couldn't get a foothold in Wa Kingdom, so she had to return to Tang Dynasty.
After returning to the Tang Dynasty, the debate was quite good, because he went to the country of Japan with a mission. He lived in Japan for many years, and the effect of spreading Buddhism and Dharma was really good. Under his auspices, the country of Japan built three major temples. One family is more magnificent than the other, and it can be called three Buddhist cities. The status of Chinese Buddhism in Japan has been advancing by leaps and bounds.
In the past, although the mainland aristocrats represented by the Soga family also supported the Buddhism transmitted from Baekje to Japan, they still received some opposition from the local conservatives after all. The Wa country is in full swing.
Everyone worships Buddha.
Based on this, after Bian Ji returned to the Tang Dynasty, he was very prosperous and was appointed as the head of Chang'an Puguang Temple.
"I'll help the teacher take notes, and the teacher dictates."
Bianji still respects Xuanzang very much, and has always been a disciple. His handwriting is good, and his style of writing is also very good. Xuanzang dictates, and his notes are polished. The two cooperate seamlessly, much faster than Xuanzang himself. .
"Why do you smell of perfume?" Xuanzang asked.
Bian Ji smiled, "Today, I met a few female benefactors who insisted on asking the Buddha to ask about the Dharma, so they followed up with the lecture, so I wasted some time. Unexpectedly, they also smelled of perfume."
Xuanzang also knew Bian Ji's habits early on. Although he was well versed in Buddhist scriptures, his six sense organs were impure.
"Practice when the six senses are pure, with one mind."
He reminded Bianji not to repeat the mistakes he made in Japan. This is Chang'an, and this is Datang. Although the noble ladies in Chang'an are also very enthusiastic, don't get involved, otherwise there will be endless troubles.
The imperial court has suppressed Buddhism in recent years, and has imposed many restrictions on Buddhists and monks. If they easily violate the precepts, they may not only lose their monk certificates, but even their lives.
Ke Bianji didn't seem to listen.
Xuanzang wanted to persuade again, Xu Luoren, the general of Zuo Yulin, came in under the leadership of Wei Chang from the Xijing Division of the Zhenfu Division.
"The sage called Master Xuanzang to meet."
Xuanzang was a little surprised. Since the emperor of the Tang Dynasty came to the throne, the suppression of Buddhism was only slightly lighter than that of Wei Wu and Zhou Wu, who exterminated Buddhism. caused so much damage today.
Zhenguan Tianzi really did what Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty and Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty failed to do, suppressing Buddhism to silence.
Regarding this emperor, Xuanzang had some opinions in his heart, but he could not refuse the emperor's call, and he always hoped to get such an opportunity to meet the emperor, so as to persuade the emperor Zhenguan to accept the Buddhist family and revive the Buddhist family .
Xuanzang got up and was about to face the saint.
Xu Luoren, however, took out a linen white robe and handed it to him, "The monk's robe is inappropriate, please change into this white linen robe!"
Xuanzang did not insist, and took over the commoner clothes to change.
Xu Luoren took Xuanzang away, but Wei Chang stayed behind.
He glanced at the still wet manuscript of Tang Dynasty Records of the Western Regions on the table, and then looked at Bianji.
"Mr. Bianji, can I invite you to my Zhenfu Division for a cup of tea?"
"Since Master Xuanzang has entered the palace to face the Holy Spirit, I should go back to the monastery."
Wei Chang went to stop him.
"Our Zhenfu Division invites you to drink tea, but we can never refuse!"
"what for?"
"Hehe, you should know better than me in your heart. The perfume smell on your body is quite special. It is produced in Qinjia Perfume Workshop in Taipinggang. This kind of fragrance is very unique. As far as I know, it is an exclusive custom-made one. The small bottle is worth thousands of dollars. Who is the owner of this perfume, I know better than I, that little owner is not something you can easily provoke, you have committed a big taboo."
"The poor monk doesn't know what the benefactor is talking about, so leave!"
"Hehe, always don't forget what I, Wei Chang, do. Don't toast or eat fine wine. If you don't recognize perfume, well, let me remind you again. A gift you recently received was for the royal family. Forbidden things, the gold and jade pillow inlaid with gold and jade is the thing on the dragon bed in the saint's bedroom, you dare to accept it, do you know how big a crime you have committed?"
Bian Ji's face changed drastically, and the eminent monk was no longer calm at this time.
explained, "The pillow was just a gift from a nobleman. It was said to be a gift to the Buddha, not for the poor monk. The poor monk didn't know the origin of the pillow, so the poor monk was willing to hand it over immediately."
"hehe."
"late!"
"You talk about offering Buddha, but why did the thief steal the pillow from your couch in the meditation room?"
Bian Ji's face flushed red.
"You don't need to explain, explaining is covering up, please come with me now."
"Duke Wei, can you forgive me for a while, this matter is too deeply involved, and it will not end well if it breaks out."
"Threatening me? Even the little master can't threaten me like this. Our Zhenfu Division is only loyal to the saint, but now you dare to steal the saint's most beloved thing. Should we help you hide it?"
"Wei Gong, I know that you have the best relationship with Wei Guogong. The poor monk also worked for Wei Guogong. It was Wei Guogong's arrangement to go to Wa country. The poor monk lived up to his mission..."
"Don't talk about Wei Guogong, Wei Guogong is my benefactor, and you deserve to mention it?"
·······
Changan North Palace, Daming Palace.
This Daming Palace, built by Qin Lang, was once built for the Supreme Emperor, and the Supreme Emperor indeed spent his last few years here. After that, it was vacant for many years. Now that the emperor returns to Chang'an, he also lives here.
When the guard in the palace saw Xu Luoren bringing Xuanzang in, he rolled up the bead curtain lightly and let them in.
The aroma in the hall is strong, rising from the copper beast furnace.
If there are only two people in the temple.
One is the current emperor, and the other is the famous general Wei Chigong.
However, the pair of monarchs and ministers had their hair disheveled at this time, and their loose robes were still open.
Xu Luoren came to the front of the imperial court, not surprised, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Xuanzang has arrived."
The emperor raised his head, glanced at it, and then hummed to express his understanding.
After a long while of laziness, he said again, "Zhen Jingde and I just took mica powder, you also have some!"
"I'm on duty, I dare not neglect my duties." Xu Luoren thanked him.
In the past few years, the emperor's health has become worse and worse. The palace doctors and medicines, including the famous doctors of the Imperial Medical Office, have been helpless. No matter what precious medicinal materials, they can't relieve the emperor's worsening dragon body.
The emperor had no choice but to ask the immortal to ask, and began to refine the alchemy.
Yu Chigong hasn't done any serious work these years, he joined the self-study road of cultivating Taoism and alchemy earlier than the emperor, and even achieved a little success, so now the emperor likes to pull Yu Chigong to concoct alchemy and take medicine together, and the two seem to be back together again. In the reign of Wude.
The mica powder I ate just now is the result of Yu Chigong's many years of cultivation and alchemy. It is similar to Wushi powder.
For today's emperor, this mica powder is not bad, anyway, it can relieve temporary sorrow and temporarily forget the pain in the body.
After a while, the emperor's eyes gradually recovered.
The emperor's face was flushed and he was sweating profusely. Xu Luoren skillfully brought a sweat towel to wipe for the emperor, and Li Shimin gave Xuanzang a seat with a smile.
"I heard that the master has great perseverance. He once traveled eastward to Haidongwa to teach the Dharma, and then went to Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo to teach the Dharma. Later, he was supported by Chengqian. He traveled to the west to learn Buddhist scriptures, traveled all over the Western Regions, and visited more than 300 countries and city-states. , can you?"
Xuanzang nodded affirmatively.
"I heard that Tianzhu is the birthplace of the Buddha. I also heard that there are many monks in the Western Regions who understand the secrets of immortality. The mage traveled to the Western Regions and has seen a lot. Can you know such monks?"
Xuanzang shook his head.
Li Shimin's face changed, "I heard that you brought back some Hu monks from Tianzhu, one of them lives in Chang'an City now, and he is said to be 200 years old and has the art of longevity. How dare you deceive the king?"
Xuanzang said, "What the sage said must be Naluoer Sapomei. This person is a Brahman monk from the Magadha country in Tianzhu. The poor monk only met him halfway and walked together. I don't know his real background, so I can't confirm it." Is he really two hundred years old, and I don't believe that he really has the technique of longevity, so I dare not talk nonsense."
Li Shimin's complexion is slightly better.
"So if there is such a person, you go and recruit this person for me, and let him make life-prolonging medicine for me."
"Your Majesty, the poor monk thinks that there is no elixir of longevity in the world, so beware of being deceived by monk Hu."
Li Shimin laughed at himself, "Who in this world can fool me? I want to see this nonsense monk's medicine for longevity. I will be able to tell if it is true or not. Xuanzang, if you can help this nonsense monk make it Life-prolonging medicine, I not only asked Yousi to return the hundreds of Buddhist scriptures confiscated from you, but also provided money to help you translate these Buddhist scriptures, and built a big Buddhist temple for you to promote these scriptures and Buddhist teachings, how about it?"
Xuanzang couldn't help being moved.
Hesitated in my heart.
He devoted himself to seeking the Buddha and the Dharma, and finally obtained hundreds of scriptures from Tianzhu. He is planning to devote himself to translating these Buddhist scriptures, and then revise the Buddhist law in China, so as to change the declining Buddhist school and revitalize Buddhism.
But he didn't believe that Naluoer Suomei, and walked all the way together. Xuanzang had long thought that this Brahmin monk was a swindler, and he came to Chang'an just to cheat.
There is no longevity medicine in the world, only the scriptures of crossing people.
"Saint, there are only scriptures in the world, but no elixir of longevity. If there is a elixir of longevity, wouldn't Emperor Qin, Han, and Wu not be able to live forever?"
Li Shimin couldn't listen.
He unbuttoned his robe and showed Xuanzang his body.
"Look at my fingers and feet, do you see the bones protruding from these joints? It's as hard as gold and stone, and it hurts like a knife. I can't rest day and night."
"And look at my toe, it's already festered, and there's no cure for the stone."
"Countless famous doctors have told me that I suffer from more than ten kinds of incurable diseases, and I can live for three years at most. But I feel that the three years are just for them to comfort me. I will not be in this ghostly state for a year. I can live. So, now I am just a dead horse as a living horse doctor. I am not really asking about longevity, but I am still worried about the Tang Dynasty and the prince. I still want to live for a few more years and look at the Tang Dynasty more A few years, and a few more years to support the prince."
"Is this asking too much?"
Xuanzang was silent.
He knew the emperor's thoughts, and indeed no one could stop him.
"I know that you are proficient in Sanskrit and are very familiar with that monk, so you just need to find that monk and act as his interpreter to help him practice medicine for me. You don't need to live longer, as long as you can prolong your life by three to five years It's fine. I don't do you any favors, so I'll hand you an edict to build a temple in the old house of Li You, a common man in Chang'an City, who was confiscated and named Hongfu Temple, where he set up a translation field. The scriptures and Buddha statues you brought back The relics, relics, etc. are all placed in this temple, and fifty great masters are recruited from various temples in the world to help you translate the scriptures together, and three hundred monks study the scriptures and study the Dharma!"
"how?"
Xuanzang could not refuse such a condition, so he nodded in agreement.
"The poor monk has a request, hoping that Dade Bianji will be the abbot of Hongfu Temple."
"Change your request. I can't promise you this matter. The defense machine violates the law of the country. I can't tolerate him." The emperor turned his face instantly!
(end of this chapter)