Chapter 11: Returning Life to Tang Wang to Follow Goodness and Rescuing the Lonely Souls by Xiao and Yu at the True Empty Gate

A hundred years like flowing water, a lifetime's work like floating foam. Yesterday, a peach blossom complexion; today, snow-like flakes on the hair.White ants consuming remnants are but illusion; the cuckoo's plaintive cry makes one long to turn back. Anciently, the underworld could grant longevity; goodness needs no pity, for Heaven itself provides.

Emperor Taizong of Tang, accompanied by Judge Cui and Grand Marshal Zhu, having freed himself from his enemies and creditors, proceeded for a long time. They eventually arrived at the place of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. There, he saw those who soared on clouds wearing ornate robes, and those who received decrees wearing golden fish pouches at their waists. Monks, nuns, Daoists, lay people, walking beasts, flying birds, goblins, and ghouls—all flowed ceaselessly towards the wheel of reincarnation, each entering their respective path. The Tang Emperor asked, "What is the meaning of this?" The Judge replied, "Your Majesty, with your clear mind and awakened nature, you must remember this and convey it to the people in the mortal world. This is called the Six Paths of Reincarnation: those who perform good deeds ascend to the immortal path; those who are loyal are reborn into a noble path; those who are filial are reborn into a blessed path; those who are just are reborn as humans; those who accumulate virtue are reborn into a wealthy path; and those who are wicked sink into the path of ghosts." Upon hearing this, the Tang Emperor nodded and sighed:

Excellent, truly excellent! Good deeds bring no disaster!Let a good heart be ever keen, and the path of goodness be wide open.Do not harbor evil thoughts, and there will surely be less mischief.Do not say there is no retribution; the gods and spirits have arrangements.

The Judge escorted the Tang Emperor directly to the Gate of Rebirth into Nobility, then bowed and addressed him, "Your Majesty, this is the place of emergence. This humble judge takes his leave. Grand Marshal Zhu will accompany you further." The Tang Emperor thanked him, "Thank you for your arduous journey, Master." The Judge replied, "Your Majesty, when you return to the mortal world, you must hold a Grand Water-Land Ceremony to deliver those masterless wronged souls. Do not forget this. If there is no sound of grievance in the underworld, then the mortal world can enjoy the blessings of peace. All areas of wrongdoing can be rectified one by one. Proclaim to the world to do good, and be assured that your descendants will be prosperous for generations, and your empire will endure forever." The Tang Emperor assented to all, bade farewell to Judge Cui, and with Grand Marshal Zhu, entered the gate. The Grand Marshal saw a bay horse inside the gate, fully saddled and bridled, and immediately invited the Tang Emperor to mount it, supporting him from both sides. The horse galloped like an arrow, and soon they reached the Wei River. There, he saw a pair of golden carp churning waves and leaping in the river. The Tang Emperor was delighted and pulled the reins, reluctant to leave the sight. The Grand Marshal said, "Your Majesty, please hurry a bit, and enter the city early to catch the opportune time." But the Tang Emperor continued to gaze, unwilling to move forward. The Grand Marshal grabbed his foot, shouted loudly, "Still not going, what are you waiting for!" With a splash, he pushed him off the horse into the Wei River, and thus he escaped the underworld and returned directly to the mortal world.

Meanwhile, at the Tang court, civil and military officials, including Xu Maogong, Qin Shubao, Hu Jingde, Duan Zhixian, Ma Sanbao, Cheng Yaojin, Gao Shilian, Yu Shinan, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xiao Yu, Fu Yi, Zhang Daoyuan, Zhang Shiheng, and Wang Gui, along with the Crown Prince, Empress, consorts, palace maids, and attendants, were all weeping in the White Tiger Hall. On one side, they deliberated issuing a mourning edict to inform the realm and prepare for the Crown Prince's ascension. At that moment, Wei Zheng stepped forward and said, "Everyone, please wait, this cannot be! If we alarm the prefectures and counties, unpredictable events might arise. Let us wait one more day; His Majesty will surely return to life." Below, Xu Jingzong stepped out and said, "Prime Minister Wei's words are utterly mistaken. As the ancient saying goes, spilt water cannot be retrieved, and the departed do not return. How can you speak such empty words and confuse people's hearts? What is the meaning of this!" Wei Zheng replied, "To tell you the truth, Master Xu, this humble official learned immortal arts from a young age and is most skilled in divination. I guarantee His Majesty will not die." As they spoke, they suddenly heard continuous loud shouts from the coffin: "I'm drowning! I'm drowning!" This terrified the civil and military officials and made the Empress and consorts tremble.

Their faces were like yellow mulberry leaves in autumn, their waists like tender willow branches before spring. The Crown Prince's legs were weak, unable to hold the mourning staff and complete the rites of sorrow; the attendants' souls fled, how could they wear official caps and observe filial rites? Concubines stumbled, palace maids leaned askew. When concubines stumbled, it was like a strong wind toppling withered hibiscus; when palace maids leaned askew, it was like a sudden downpour tilting delicate lotuses. All officials were terrified, their bones weak, their muscles numb. Trembling with fear, dumbfounded. The White Tiger Hall was like a broken-beamed bridge, and the mourning hall like a collapsed temple.

At this time, all the palace servants had fled, and none dared approach the coffin or support the hearse. It was thanks to the upright Xu Maogong, the rational Prime Minister Wei, the courageous Qin Qiong, and the impetuous Jingde that they stepped forward, supported the coffin, and called out, "Your Majesty, if there's anything you can't let go of, tell us; don't play tricks and frighten your family." Wei Zheng said, "This is not a trick; it is His Majesty returning to life. Quickly bring tools!" They opened the coffin lid, and indeed, Taizong was sitting inside, still exclaiming, "I'm drowning! Who saved me?" Maogong and the others stepped forward and helped him up, saying, "Your Majesty, awaken and fear not. We are all here to protect you." Only then did the Tang Emperor open his eyes and say, "I suffered greatly just now. I escaped the trials of the underworld's evil spirits, only to suffer the disaster of nearly losing my life on the water." The officials said, "Your Majesty, calm yourself and fear not. What water disaster came upon you?" The Tang Emperor recounted, "I was riding my horse, and as I reached the Wei River, I saw two-headed fish playing. While I was delighted, Grand Marshal Zhu maliciously grabbed my foot and pushed me off the horse into the river, nearly drowning me." Wei Zheng said, "Your Majesty's ghostly aura has not yet dissipated." He immediately ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to prepare a calming and spirit-stabilizing medicinal broth, and also arranged for porridge and food. After taking it once or twice, he finally returned to his original state and regained his senses. It was counted that the Tang Emperor had been dead for three days and nights, but now he had returned to the mortal world as its ruler. A poem states:

How many changes have ancient empires seen, through generations of rise and fall.Zhou, Qin, Han, Jin had many strange events, but who like the Tang Emperor died and revived?

That day, as dusk fell, the officials invited the Emperor to retire to his chambers, and all dispersed. The next morning, they shed their mourning clothes and changed into colorful attire, each in red robes and black hats, each with purple sashes and golden seals, waiting outside the court gate for imperial summons.

Emperor Taizong, after taking the calming and spirit-stabilizing medicine and several bowls of porridge, was assisted by his officials into his chambers. He slept soundly through the night, recuperating his spirit, until dawn. Rising with renewed vigor, observe his attire:

He wore a sky-piercing crown, donned a reddish-yellow imperial robe.He girded himself with a Lantian jade belt and stepped into a pair of founding-era worry-free boots.His appearance was grand, surpassing the current era; his might was awesome, reviving the present day.What a wise and benevolent Tang Emperor, His Majesty Li, who returned from the dead!

The Tang Emperor ascended the Golden Phoenix Hall, where the civil and military officials assembled. After the mountain-like cheers of "Long Live the Emperor" had ceased, they arranged themselves by rank. A decree was then announced: "Those with matters, step forward and report; otherwise, court is adjourned." From the east side stepped Xu Maogong, Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Du Ruhui, Fang Xuanling, Yuan Tiangang, Li Chunfeng, and Xu Jingzong. From the west side stepped Yin Kaishan, Liu Hongji, Ma Sanbao, Duan Zhixian, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Shubao, Hu Jingde, and Xue Rengui. All stepped forward and prostrated themselves before the white jade steps, reporting, "Your Majesty, your recent dream, why did it take so long for you to awaken?" Taizong replied, "A few days ago, after receiving Wei Zheng's letter, I felt my spirit leave the palace. I saw the Imperial Forest Guards inviting me to hunt. As I was proceeding, the people and horses vanished. Then, I saw my late father, the former king, and my late brothers arguing. Just as it was difficult to resolve, I saw a person in a black hat and dark robe, who was Judge Cui Bang. He ordered my late brothers to retreat, and I handed him Wei Zheng's letter. As he was reading, I saw a person in green clothes, holding a ceremonial banner, leading me inside. We arrived at the Hall of Yama, where I sat and conversed with the Ten Kings of Hell. They said the Jinghe Dragon had falsely accused me of promising to save him but then having him killed, so I recounted the previous events. They said the case had been judged by all three tribunals, and immediately ordered the register of life and death to be brought to check my lifespan. Judge Cui then presented the register, and after reading it, the King of Hell said, 'I have thirty-three years of heavenly blessings (lifespan), but only thirteen years have passed, so I still have twenty years of life remaining.' He immediately dispatched Grand Marshal Zhu and Judge Cui to escort me back. I bade farewell to the Ten Kings, promising to send them melons and fruits as thanks. After leaving the Hall of Yama, I saw countless disloyal, unfilial, impolite, unjust individuals, those who squandered grain, deceived openly and secretly, used large scales for buying and small scales for selling, engaged in treachery, theft, deceit, falsehood, lewdness, and fraud. They were suffering the torment of grinding, burning, pounding, and filing; the punishment of boiling, hanging, and flaying. There were thousands upon thousands, too many to fully observe. I also passed through the City of the Wronged Dead, where there were countless wronged souls. All were the spirits of rebels from sixty-four places of war and seventy-two bandit strongholds, blocking my path. Fortunately, Judge Cui guaranteed me, and I borrowed a treasury of gold and silver from Old Man Xiang of Henan to buy off the ghosts, only then could I proceed. Judge Cui instructed me that upon returning to the mortal world, I must hold a Grand Water-Land Ceremony to deliver those masterless lonely souls, earnestly reiterating this at our parting. After leaving the Six Paths of Reincarnation, Grand Marshal Zhu invited me to mount a horse. We traveled like flying until we reached the Wei River. I saw two-headed fish playing on the water. Just as I was delighted, he grabbed my foot and pushed me into the water, and thus I returned to life." Upon hearing this, all the officials offered congratulations. This account was then compiled and reported, and officials from all prefectures and counties throughout the land submitted memorials of congratulation.

Emperor Taizong then issued an edict to pardon all criminals in the realm and investigated serious offenders in prison. At that time, the Ministry of Justice reported that there were over four hundred criminals sentenced to hanging and beheading. Taizong pardoned them to return home, bid farewell to their parents and brothers, entrusted their property to relatives and nephews, and were to report to the court on this same day next year to receive their due punishment. The criminals thanked him for his grace and withdrew. He also issued a proclamation to aid orphans and found that there were three thousand old and young palace maids and attendants in the palace, and issued a decree for them to be married to soldiers. From then on, internally and externally, all was good. A poem serves as proof:

The great Tang Emperor's grace was vast, his ways surpassed Yao and Shun, enriching countless people.Four hundred death-row prisoners were all released from jail; three thousand wronged women were freed from the palace.Officials throughout the realm offered longevity wishes; ministers in court congratulated the prime ruler.A single thought of kindness, and Heaven should grant protection; blessings should pass down through seventeen generations.

After Taizong had released the palace women and death-row prisoners, he also issued an imperially composed proclamation, which was distributed throughout the realm. The proclamation stated:

Vast are Heaven and Earth, the sun and moon illuminate clearly; boundless is the universe, Heaven and Earth do not tolerate wicked factions. Those who scheme and use trickery will face retribution in this life; those who sow good deeds will reap blessings without needing to speak of the afterlife. A thousand stratagems are inferior to being an honest person; ten thousand violent individuals cannot compare to those who live frugally with contentment. If your heart is charitable, why strive to read scriptures? If your intention is to harm others, reading all the Tathagata's teachings is in vain!

From this time forward, there was no one in the realm who did not perform good deeds. On one side, he issued a proclamation inviting worthy individuals to deliver melons and fruits to the underworld; on the other, he dispatched Duke Hu Jingde of E with a treasury of gold and silver from the imperial vault to Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan to seek out Xiang Liang and repay the debt. After the proclamation had been posted for several days, a worthy individual who answered the call to deliver melons and fruits arrived. He was from Junzhou, named Liu Quan, and had a fortune of ten thousand strings of cash. It was because his wife, Li Cuilian, had taken off her golden hairpin at the doorstep to offer alms to a monk that Liu Quan had scolded her a few times, saying she did not observe proper wifely conduct and left the inner chambers without permission. Li, unable to bear the anger, hanged herself, leaving behind a pair of young children who wept day and night. Liu Quan could not bear to see them, and so, resigned to his fate, he willingly sacrificed his life, abandoned his family and children, intending to die to deliver the melons. He took down the imperial proclamation and came to see the Tang Emperor. The Emperor issued an order for him to go to the Golden Pavilion, carrying a pair of pumpkins on his head, yellow paper money in his sleeves, and medicine in his mouth.

Liu Quan indeed took the poison and died. His soul, carrying the melons and fruits, soon arrived at the Gate of Hell. The gate-keeping ghost envoy shouted, "Who are you, daring to come here?" Liu Quan replied, "I am an imperial envoy sent by His Majesty Emperor Taizong of Tang, specifically to deliver melons and fruits for the enjoyment of the Ten Kings of Hell." The ghost envoy gladly welcomed and escorted him. Liu Quan proceeded directly to the Hall of Yama, where he met the Kings of Hell, presented the melons and fruits, and stated, "By the Tang Emperor's decree, I have traveled far to present these melons and fruits to express thanks for the Ten Kings' gracious forgiveness." The King of Hell was greatly pleased and said, "What a trustworthy and virtuous Emperor Taizong!" He then accepted the melons and fruits. He asked the name and origin of the person who delivered the melons. Liu Quan replied, "This humble one is a commoner from Junzhou city, named Liu Quan. Because my wife, Li, hanged herself, leaving behind young children with no one to care for them, I willingly abandoned my home and children, sacrificing my life to repay the country, and specially brought these melons and fruits as tribute to my King, to thank all the Great Kings for their great kindness." The Ten Kings heard this and immediately ordered an investigation into Liu Quan's wife, Li. The ghost envoy quickly brought her to the Hall of Yama, where she reunited with Liu Quan. After recounting their story, they thanked the Ten Kings for their grace. The King of Hell then checked the register of life and death and saw that both husband and wife were destined for immortal lifespans. He immediately dispatched ghost envoys to send them back. The ghost envoy reported, "Li Cuilian has been in the underworld for a long time, and her corpse no longer exists. To what body will her soul attach?" The King of Hell said, "Princess Li Yuying of Tang is destined for an early death today. You may borrow her corpse and have her soul return through it." The ghost envoy received the order and immediately escorted Liu Quan and his wife back to life. Leaving the underworld, with ghostly winds swirling, they arrived directly in the great nation of Chang'an. Liu Quan's soul was pushed into his body at the Golden Pavilion. Li Cuilian's soul was brought into the Imperial Palace. There, Princess Yuying was slowly walking on green moss in the shade of flowers when she was ambushed by the ghost envoy, knocked to the ground, and her soul captured alive. Li Cuilian's soul was then pushed into Yuying's body. The ghost envoy then returned to the underworld.

Meanwhile, the palace maids and attendants, both senior and junior, in the palace courtyard, seeing Yuying fall dead, rushed to the Golden Phoenix Hall to report to the Empress and consorts, "The Princess has fallen dead!" The Empress was greatly alarmed and immediately reported to Taizong. Taizong heard this, nodded, and sighed, "This is indeed true. I once asked the Ten Kings of Hell, 'Are the old and young well?' They replied, 'All are well, but I fear the Princess's lifespan is short.' His words have indeed come true." All the palace people came grieving to the shade of the flowers to see, and they saw that the Princess still had a faint breath. The Tang Emperor said, "Don't cry, don't cry! Don't startle her." He then stepped forward, gently lifted her head with his imperial hand, and called out, "Princess, awaken, awaken." The Princess suddenly turned over and called out, "Husband, walk slowly, wait for me!" Taizong said, "Princess, it is we who are here." The Princess raised her head and opened her eyes, looking around, and said, "Who are you people, daring to pull me?" Taizong said, "We are your Imperial Brother and Imperial Sister-in-law." The Princess said, "Where would I get an Imperial Brother or Imperial Sister-in-law! My maiden name is Li, my childhood name is Li Cuilian, my husband's surname is Liu, full name Liu Quan, and both of us are from Junzhou. Three months ago, because I took off my golden hairpin at the doorway to offer alms to a monk, my husband blamed me for leaving the inner chambers without permission and not observing proper wifely conduct, and he scolded me a few times. I was choked with anger and hanged myself with a white silk sash from a beam, leaving behind a pair of young children who wept day and night. Now, because my husband was sent by the Tang Emperor as an imperial envoy to the underworld to deliver melons and fruits, the King of Hell took pity on us and released my husband and me to return. He walked ahead, and because I was slow, I couldn't catch up to him, and I tripped and fell. You people are rude! I don't know your names, how dare you pull me!" Upon hearing this, Taizong said to the palace people, "She must have fainted from the fall and is talking nonsense." He ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to prepare medicinal broth and assisted Yuying into the palace.

As the Tang Emperor was in the hall, an attending official suddenly reported, "Long Live the Emperor, Liu Quan, the man who delivered the melons and fruits, has returned to life and is waiting outside the court gate for your decree." The Tang Emperor was greatly astonished and immediately ordered Liu Quan to be summoned. He prostrated himself on the imperial steps. Taizong asked, "What happened with the delivery of the melons and fruits?" Liu Quan replied, "This humble servant carried the melons and fruits directly to the Gate of Hell, and was then led to the Hall of Yama. I met the Ten Kings of Hell, presented the melons and fruits, and fully conveyed my King's earnest gratitude. The Kings of Hell were very pleased and conveyed many thanks to my King, saying, 'He is truly a trustworthy and virtuous Emperor Taizong!'" The Tang Emperor asked, "What did you see in the underworld?" Liu Quan said, "This humble servant did not travel far, so I did not see much. I only heard the King of Hell ask for my hometown and name. I recounted my story of abandoning my home and children, how my wife hanged herself, and my willingness to deliver the melons. He immediately dispatched a ghost envoy to bring my wife, and we met right there beneath the Hall of Yama. At the same time, he checked the register of life and death and said that both my wife and I were destined for immortal lifespans, then he dispatched a ghost envoy to send us back. I walked ahead, and my wife followed behind. Fortunately, I returned to life. But I do not know where my wife was reincarnated." The Tang Emperor asked in surprise, "Did the King of Hell say anything about your wife?" Liu Quan said, "The King of Hell did not say anything, but I heard the ghost envoy say, 'Li Cuilian has been in the underworld for a long time, and her corpse no longer exists.' The King of Hell said, 'Princess Li Yuying of Tang is destined for an early death today; tell Li Cuilian to borrow Yuying's corpse and return to life.' This humble servant did not know where Princess Tang was from, or where her home was, and I have not yet been able to find her." Upon hearing this report, the Tang Emperor was filled with joy. He said to his many officials, "When I bade farewell to the King of Hell, I asked about matters in the palace. He said the old and young were all well, but he feared the Princess's lifespan was short. Just now, Princess Yuying fell dead in the shade of the flowers. I quickly helped her, and in a moment she revived, calling out, 'Husband, walk slowly, wait for me!' I thought she had fainted and was talking nonsense. When I asked her for details, her words were exactly like Liu Quan's." Wei Zheng reported, "The Princess's sudden short lifespan, and her immediately speaking these words upon revival, signifies Liu Quan's wife borrowing a corpse to return to life. Such a thing does happen. We can invite the Princess out and see what she says." The Tang Emperor said, "I just ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to prepare medicine for her, I don't know how she is." He then instructed his consorts to go into the palace to invite her. The Princess inside was shouting wildly, "What medicine am I to take? This isn't my home! My home is a cool tiled house, not like this sickly yellow house with its gaudy, ornate doors! Let me out, let me out!"

As she was shouting, four or five palace maids and two or three eunuchs helped her, bringing her directly to the hall. The Tang Emperor said, "Do you recognize your husband?" Yuying said, "What nonsense! We have been husband and wife since childhood, and we have borne sons and daughters together. How could I not recognize him?" The Tang Emperor ordered the eunuchs to escort her down. The Princess descended from the imperial hall to the white jade steps. Seeing Liu Quan, she grabbed him tightly and said, "Husband, where are you going? Why didn't you wait for me! I tripped and fell, and those unreasonable people surrounded me and shouted. What is all this about!" Liu Quan heard that her words were his wife's, but observed that her face was not his wife's, so he dared not acknowledge her. The Tang Emperor said, "It is seen when mountains crumble and earth splits, but it is rare to encounter someone being substituted in death!" What a wise and benevolent ruler! He immediately bestowed all of the Princess's dowry, clothes, and jewelry upon Liu Quan, as if it were a wedding dowry. He also granted him an imperial decree for permanent exemption from corvée labor, and instructed him to take the Princess back. The couple then knelt before the steps, thanked him for his grace, and happily returned to their hometown. A poem serves as proof:

Life and death are predestined, short or long, each has its years.Liu Quan delivered melons and returned to the mortal world, Li Cuilian borrowed a corpse to revive.

The two bade farewell to the Emperor and went directly to Junzhou city. They found their old home and children all well, and the couple proclaimed the good fortune, and so on.

Meanwhile, Duke Yuchi, carrying a treasury of gold and silver, went to Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan to seek out Xiang Liang. It turned out that Xiang Liang lived by selling water, and with his wife, Zhang, they made a living selling black earthenware pots at their doorstep. Whatever money they earned, they only kept enough for their travel expenses, and much of it they used to donate to monks, give alms, buy gold and silver paper ingots, and burn them to be recorded in the treasury of the underworld. Thus, this good karma accrued to them. In the mortal world, he was a poor man devoted to good deeds; in the other world, he was a wealthy elder who accumulated jade and gold. Duke Yuchi delivered the gold and silver to their doorstep, which so terrified the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Xiang, that their souls flew away and their wits scattered. Furthermore, officials from the prefecture and numerous carriages and horses gathered outside their thatched cottage. The elderly couple were dumbfounded and speechless, kneeling on the ground, just kowtowing and bowing. Duke Yuchi said, "Elderly folk, please rise. Although I am an imperial envoy, I have brought my King's gold and silver to repay you." They trembled as they replied, "This humble one has no gold or silver lent out. How dare we accept such ill-gotten wealth?" Duke Yuchi said, "I have also learned that you are a poor man, but you donate to monks and give alms, spending all you have. You also bought gold and silver paper ingots and burned them to be recorded in the underworld, so there is money accumulated there for you. When His Majesty Emperor Taizong died for three days and then returned to life, he borrowed a treasury of gold and silver from you in the underworld. Now, he returns it to you in full. Please accept it, so I can return and report to His Majesty." The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Xiang, only bowed towards Heaven and dared not accept, saying, "If this humble one were to accept such gold and silver, I would surely die soon. Although we burned paper money to be recorded in a treasury, these are matters of the unseen world. Moreover, what proof is there that His Majesty borrowed gold and silver in the other world? I absolutely dare not accept it." Duke Yuchi saw their persistent refusal and had no choice but to write a memorial and dispatch someone to report it. Taizong saw the memorial and learned that Xiang Liang would not accept the gold and silver, and said, "This is truly a benevolent elder!" He immediately issued an edict instructing Hu Jingde to use the gold and silver to repair temples, erect living shrines, and invite monks to perform good deeds, treating it as if it were a repayment. When the edict arrived, Jingde bowed towards the imperial palace to express his gratitude, proclaimed the edict, and all became aware of it. He then used the gold and silver to purchase a plot of land in the city that was suitable for military and civilian use, approximately fifty acres in size. Construction began there to erect a temple named "Imperially Ordained Xiangguo Temple." To its left were the living shrines of Mr. and Mrs. Xiang, with engraved stone tablets stating "Supervised by Duke Yuchi," which is today's Great Xiangguo Temple.

Upon completion of the work, a report was submitted to the Emperor, who was greatly pleased. He then gathered his many officials and issued a proclamation to recruit monks, to hold a Grand Water-Land Ceremony to deliver the lonely souls of the underworld. The proclamation was sent throughout the realm, instructing officials everywhere to select eminent monks to come to Chang'an to participate in the ceremony. Within less than a month, monks from all over the realm arrived. The Tang Emperor issued an order for Assistant Imperial Censor Fu Yi to select eminent monks and conduct Buddhist rites. Upon hearing the order, Fu Yi immediately submitted a memorial to stop (the building of) pagodas, stating there was no Buddha. His memorial read:

The law of the Western Regions disregards ruler and subject, father and son. It uses the three evil paths and six realms to deceive the ignorant, pursuing past sins and peeking into future blessings, reciting Sanskrit words to seek illicit exemption. Moreover, life, death, longevity, and early demise are inherent to nature; punishment, virtue, power, and blessings depend on the ruler. Now, I hear common followers falsely claim everything comes from Buddha. From the Five Emperors and Three Kings, there was no Buddhist law, yet rulers were enlightened and ministers loyal, and their dynasties lasted long. It was only during Emperor Ming of Han's reign that foreign gods were first established. However, only Western Region monks spread their own teachings; they are truly foreigners intruding on China and are not to be trusted.

Taizong heard this and threw the memorial to his ministers for discussion. At that moment, Prime Minister Xiao Yu stepped forward, bowed his head, and reported, "Buddhist law has flourished through many dynasties. It promotes good and curbs evil, secretly assisting the nation; there is no reason to abandon it. Buddha is a sage. Those who are not sages have no law; I request severe punishment." Fu Yi debated with Xiao Yu, arguing that propriety is rooted in serving one's parents and ruler, but Buddha turns his back on his parents to become a monk, a commoner defying the Son of Heaven, a successor defying his kin. He added, "Xiao Yu was not born from a hollow mulberry, yet he follows a fatherless teaching; truly, those who are not filial have no kin." Xiao Yu merely put his palms together and said, "Hell was established precisely for such people." Taizong summoned Minister of the Imperial Stud Zhang Daoyuan and Grand Secretary Zhang Shiheng, and asked how effective Buddhist rites were in accumulating blessings. The two ministers replied, "Buddha embodies purity, benevolence, and compassion; his fruits of enlightenment are truth, and his being is emptiness. Emperor Wu of Zhou categorized the Three Teachings: Great Wisdom Chan Master's praises are profound and distant, manifest to all who offer devotion; the Fifth Patriarch was reborn, Bodhidharma appeared. From ancient times, it has always been said that the Three Teachings are supreme and cannot be destroyed or abandoned. We humbly implore Your Majesty, with your sagely wisdom, to clearly decide." Taizong was very pleased and said, "Your words are reasonable. Anyone who speaks further on this will be punished." He then instructed Wei Zheng, Xiao Yu, and Zhang Daoyuan to assemble all monks, select one with great virtue to be the altar master, and establish a dharma assembly. All bowed their heads to express gratitude and withdrew. From this time forward, a law was issued: anyone who slanders monks or defames Buddha shall have their arms severed.

The next day, the three court officials gathered the monks at the Altar of Mountains and Rivers and meticulously selected one eminent monk with great virtue. Who was he, you ask?

His spiritual name, formerly Golden Cicada, only because he was inattentive to Buddha's discourse,Was sent to the mortal world to suffer hardship, born into the mundane world to face snares.Upon rebirth, he met with misfortune; even before his birth, he encountered evil factions.His father was the top scholar Chen from Haizhou; his maternal grandfather was the Grand Superintendent, chief of the court.Born under the fate of a falling river star, he drifted with the currents and waves.He had a great affinity with Golden Mountain on the island, and Monk Qian'an raised him.At eighteen, he recognized his birth mother, and specifically went to the capital to seek his maternal grandfather.The Grand Superintendent, Yin Kaishan, mobilized a large army to suppress bandits and execute the wicked in Hongzhou.The top scholar Guangrui escaped the heavenly net; father and son meeting again was cause for congratulation and reward.He again met the emperor and received his grace; his virtuous name resounded in the Lingyan Pavilion.He refused the honorable official position, wishing to be a monk; with great blessings, he sought the Way as a monk.His childhood name was Jiangliu, an ancient Buddha's son; his dharma name was Chen Xuanzang.

On that day, Master Xuanzang was nominated before the assembly. This person had been a monk since childhood, observing vegetarianism and precepts from the moment he left his mother's womb. His maternal grandfather was Yin Kaishan, a Grand Superintendent in the present court, and his father, Chen Guangrui, passed the imperial examination as the top scholar and was appointed Grand Academician of Wenyuan Hall. His heart desired no glory, only cultivation towards nirvana. It was found that his origins were good, and his virtue high. He understood countless sutras and texts; he knew all Buddhist chants and immortal melodies. At that time, the three officials led him before the Emperor. He prostrated himself, bowed, and reported, "Your humble servants, Xiao and the others, by imperial decree, have selected an eminent monk named Chen Xuanzang." Upon hearing his name, Taizong pondered for a long time and asked, "Is he Xuanzang, son of Scholar Chen Guangrui?" Jiangliu'er bowed his head and said, "This humble servant is indeed he." Taizong was pleased and said, "Indeed, he was chosen correctly. He is truly a monk of great virtue and Zen mind. I bestow upon you the titles of Left Monk Official, Right Monk Official, and Grand Monk Official of the Realm." Xuanzang bowed his head in gratitude and accepted the high official rank. He was also granted a multi-colored brocade kasaya and a Vairocana hat. The Emperor instructed him to respectfully greet the enlightened monks again, arrange the order of the monastic leaders, prepare the imperial decree, proceed to Huasheng Temple, select an auspicious day and time, and begin expounding the scriptures.

Xuanzang bowed again, received the decree, and departed. He then went to Huasheng Temple, gathered many monks, built meditation platforms, prepared the temple for merit-making, and arranged music. A total of twelve hundred enlightened monks, both senior and junior, were selected and assigned to the upper, middle, and lower halls. All items before the Buddhas were complete, everything in order. The third day of the ninth lunar month of the current year, an auspicious day, was chosen to commence the forty-nine-day Grand Water-Land Ceremony. A memorial was then submitted, and Taizong, along with civil and military officials, royal relatives, and imperial family members, all attended the ceremony on time, offering incense and listening to the discourse. To find out what the imperial will truly entails, please listen to the next chapter's explanation.