Chapter 36: Heart Monkey Suppressed by Various Conditions Breaking Through Side Doors to See the Bright Moon

Sun Wukong descended from the clouds and reported to his master about the Bodhisattva borrowing the boy and Laozi retrieving his treasures. Tripitaka expressed endless gratitude. Firmly resolved and devout, he determined to reach the West. He mounted his horse, Pigsy shouldered the luggage, Sandy led the horse, and Sun Wukong, wielding his iron staff, cleared the path. They proceeded directly down the high mountain. Enduring constant travel, exposed to the elements, the master and disciples journeyed for a long time until another mountain blocked their way.

From his horse, Tripitaka called out, "Disciples, look at that majestic mountain range! We must be careful and vigilant, lest more demonic obstacles come upon us." Wukong replied, "Master, stop overthinking. Just stay calm and focused, and nothing will happen." Tripitaka said, "Disciple, why is the journey to the Western Heaven so difficult? I remember leaving Chang'an; spring has turned to summer, and autumn to winter, for four or five years now, yet we still haven't arrived?" Hearing this, Wukong chuckled, "It's early, very early! We haven't even left the front gate yet!" Pigsy interjected, "Brother, don't lie. Is there such a large gate in the human world?" Wukong replied, "Brother, we're still just circling in the main hall!" Sandy laughed, "Senior Brother, don't boast to scare us. Where is there such a large main hall? And where would one buy such massive crossbeams?" Wukong said, "Brothers, in my opinion, the blue sky is our roof, the sun and moon are our windows, the four mountains and five peaks are our pillars, and heaven and earth are like an open hall!" Pigsy heard this and exclaimed, "Enough, enough! Let's just go back after a while." Wukong retorted, "No more idle talk. Just keep following me."

The Great Sage, holding his iron staff across his shoulders, led Tang Sanzang, carving a path through the mountains, pressing straight ahead. From his horse, the Master observed a magnificent mountain scene, truly a sight to behold:

Mountain peaks ruggedly touched the Dipper's handle, treetops seemingly reached the clouds.In piles of blue mist, the cries of apes could be heard from the valley mouth; amidst the chaotic green shade, the calls of cranes often echoed among the pines.Wind-howling mountain spirits stood by the stream, teasing woodcutters; cunning foxes sat by cliffs, startling hunters.What a mountain! Its eight sides were grand cliffs, and its surroundings were perilous.Strange, ancient pines coiled with green canopies, withered old trees hung with vines.Spring water flowed, its coldness chilling one to the bone; peaks stood towering, a clear breeze startling the soul.Roars of tigers were often heard, and mountain birds chirped frequently.Groups of deer and muntjacs darted through thorns, leaping back and forth; musk deer gathered to forage, running to and fro.Standing on a grassy slope, no travelers were in sight; walking into a deep hollow, jackals and wolves were all around.Surely not a place for the Buddha to cultivate, but entirely a domain for birds and beasts.

The Master, trembling, entered this deep mountain, feeling desolate in his heart. He reined in his horse and called out, "Wukong! I—Since making a mountain vow with *Yizhi*, *Wangbuliuxing* saw me off from the city.On the road, I met *Sanlengzi*; along the way, *Madouling* urged me on.Seeking *Jingjie* over slopes and through ravines; crossing ridges and climbing mountains to worship *Fuling*.My *Fangji* body is like bamboo sap; when will *Huixiang* return to court?"

Sun Wukong, hearing this, chuckled coldly, "Master, no need to worry, nor to be anxious. Just go forward with peace of mind. Success will come naturally when the effort is complete." As the master and disciples enjoyed the mountain scenery and walked at their leisure, the red sun unknowingly set in the west.

It was precisely then that:For ten miles, no travelers walked the long pavilions; in the nine layers of heaven, stars appeared.Boats on eight rivers returned to port; seven thousand prefectures and counties all closed their gates.Officials returned to their six palaces and five ministries; fishing ceased in the four seas and three rivers.From two tower tops, bells and drums sounded; a single bright moon filled the universe.

The Elder, observing from his horse, saw layers of towers and repeated palace halls in a mountain hollow. Tripitaka said, "Disciples, it's getting late. Fortunately, there are buildings not far from here. It must be a temple or monastery. Let's go there to stay for the night and continue tomorrow." Wukong replied, "Master is right. Don't rush. Let me check if it's a good place." The Great Sage leaped into the air and examined it carefully. Indeed, it was a temple gate, where he saw:

Eight-shaped brick walls painted in red and pink, with golden nails on both gate doors.Layered towers hidden by the ridge, tiered palaces concealed within the mountains.The Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion facing the Tathagata Hall, the Chaoyang Tower corresponding to the Mahavira Gate.A seven-story pagoda harboring clouds and mist, three venerable Buddhas manifesting their glory.Manjushri's Terrace facing the Sangharama Hall, Maitreya's Hall leaning against the Great Compassion Hall.Outside the Mountain-Viewing Tower, green light danced; on the Walk-on-Air Pavilion, purple clouds arose.Pine gates and bamboo courtyards remained verdant, the abbot's quarters and meditation halls were everywhere serene.Elegant and tranquil, providing joy; along every stream and path, a welcoming delight.Where Zen was practiced, Zen monks lectured; in music rooms, many instruments sounded.On the Miao Gao Platform, Udumbara flowers bloomed; before the Dharma-preaching altar, palm-leaf scriptures appeared.

It was truly a place where forests shielded the Three Jewels, and mountains embraced the Brahma Palace. Half-hidden, lantern smoke flickered with light; a line of incense mist hung hazy. Sun Wukong descended from the clouds and reported to Tripitaka, "Master, it is indeed a monastery, suitable for lodging. Let's go!"

The Elder spurred his horse forward, arriving directly outside the monastery gate. Wukong asked, "Master, what kind of temple is this?" Tripitaka replied, "My horse's hooves have just stopped, and my toes haven't even left the stirrups, and you're already asking what kind of temple it is? How impatient!" Wukong retorted, "You, old man, have been a monk since childhood, must have studied Confucian classics, and later expounded on Buddhist scriptures. You are versed in all literature, and then received the Tang Emperor's grace. There are such large characters on the gate, how can you not recognize them?" The Elder cursed, "You mischievous monkey, what ignorant talk! I was facing west just now, urging my horse, and the sunlight was directly in my eyes. Although there are characters on the gate, they are obscured by dust, so I haven't seen them." Hearing this, Wukong bent his waist, grew over six meters taller, and swept away the dust with his hand, saying, "Master, please look." There were five large characters: "Imperially Built Baolin Temple." Wukong reverted to his normal size and asked, "Master, who will go in to ask for lodging?" Tripitaka replied, "I will go in. Your faces are ugly, your words crude, and your tempers are hot and arrogant. If you offend the local monks, they might refuse us lodging, which would be unfavorable." Wukong said, "Since that's the case, please go in, Master. No need for more words."

The Elder cast aside his staff, removed his cape, straightened his robes, clasped his palms, and entered the mountain gate. He saw a pair of Vajra guardians seated high within red lacquered railings on both sides, sculpted with fearsome and ugly dignity:One had an iron face and steel beard, seemingly alive; the other had fiery brows and round, piercing eyes.The left's fist protruded like raw iron; the right's palm was thick and resembled red copper.Golden chainmail gleamed brightly, shining helmets and embroidered sashes fluttered in the wind.The West truly had many revered Buddhas; in the stone tripods, incense burned red.

Tripitaka saw them, nodded, and sighed deeply, "If only someone in my Eastern Land could also sculpt such great Bodhisattvas from clay and gold, and offer incense and worship, then my disciples would not need to travel to the Western Heaven." As he sighed, he reached the inner part of the second mountain gate, where he saw statues of the Four Heavenly Kings: Dhritarashtra, Vaishravana, Virudhaka, and Virupaksha, symbolizing the harmony of wind and rain. Inside the second gate, he saw four ancient pines, each with a lush, umbrella-like canopy. Suddenly, he looked up and saw the Mahavira Hall. The Elder clasped his palms in reverence, bowed deeply. After bowing, he went around the Buddha platform to the back door, where he saw a statue of Guanyin, seated backwards, symbolizing her universal salvation of the South Sea. On the wall, skilled craftsmen had sculpted various shrimp, fish, crabs, and turtles, peeking out, leaping in the sea waves. The Elder nodded three or five times again, sighing countless times, "Alas! Even scale-armored creatures worship the Buddha, why won't humans cultivate themselves!" As he marveled, a Daoist emerged from the third gate. The Daoist, upon seeing Tripitaka's extraordinary and uncommon appearance, quickly stepped forward to bow and asked, "Master, where are you from?" Tripitaka replied, "Your disciple was dispatched by the Great Tang Emperor from the Eastern Land to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures. We have arrived in your esteemed place as night falls and request a night's lodging." The Daoist said, "Master, please don't be offended, I am not in charge here. I am just a Daoist who sweeps, rings the bell, and does chores here. There is an elderly managing monk inside. Let me go in and report to him. If he agrees to let you stay, I will come out to invite you; if not, I dare not delay you." Tripitaka said, "I am troubling you."

The Daoist rushed to the abbot's quarters and reported, "Venerable Master, someone has arrived outside." The monastic official immediately rose, changed his clothes, adjusted his Vairocana hat, put on his kasaya, and hastily opened the door to greet the Daoist, asking, "Who has come?" The Daoist pointed, "Isn't there someone behind the main hall?" Tripitaka, with his bald head, dressed in a twenty-five-striped cassock, and wearing a pair of muddy, flowing Dagong shoes, was leaning against the back door. The monastic official saw him and was furious, "You Daoists, you're always getting things wrong! Don't you know I'm a monastic official? I only come out to greet scholars and officials from the city who come to offer incense. Why did you make such a fuss, reporting this monk for me to greet him! Look at his face, he doesn't seem honest; he's probably a wandering monk who wants to stay the night as it's getting late. How can our abbot's quarters be disturbed by him? Tell him to squat in the front corridor! Why did you report to me?!" He turned to leave. The Elder heard this and tears streamed down his face, "Alas, alas! This is truly 'a person away from home is cheap'! Your disciple became a monk from childhood, never committed evil by eating meat after vows, never harbored anger while reading scriptures, spoiling his Zen heart; nor did he ever throw tiles or bricks to damage Buddha halls, or peel gold from Arhat statues. Alas! How pitiful! I wonder what past life offense against heaven and earth caused me to constantly encounter bad people in this life! Monk, if you don't let us stay, then so be it, but why speak such insolent words, telling us to squat in the front corridor? It's fine if I don't tell Wukong, but if I do, that monkey will come in and break all your leg bones with one swing of his iron staff!" The Elder continued, "Well, well. As the saying goes, 'people prioritize decorum and etiquette.' I'll go in and ask him myself, to see what he intends."

The Master followed his footsteps into the abbot's quarters. He saw the monastic official had taken off his clothes and was sitting there fuming, perhaps chanting scriptures, or perhaps writing a Dharma service for someone, as there were piles of paper on the table. Tang Sanzang dared not go deeper and stood in the courtyard, bowing and calling out loudly, "Venerable Abbot, your disciple greets you!" The monk seemed a bit impatient with him entering further, returning a half-hearted greeting, "Where are you from?" Tripitaka replied, "Your disciple was dispatched by the Great Tang Emperor from the Eastern Land to the Western Heaven to worship the Living Buddha and seek scriptures. It's late and we've passed by your esteemed place. I beg for a night's lodging and will depart tomorrow morning before daylight. I sincerely hope, Venerable Abbot, you can accommodate us." The monastic official finally leaned forward, "Are you that Tang Sanzang?" Tripitaka replied, "I dare not claim such, but your disciple is he." Monastic official said, "Since you are going to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures, why do you not know how to travel?" Tripitaka replied, "Your disciple has never traveled the roads of your honorable place." The official said, "Go straight west, only four or five *li* away, there is a Thirty Li Inn. There are families selling food there, and it's convenient for lodging. It's not convenient here for me to keep you monks from afar." Tripitaka clasped his palms, "Abbot, as the ancients said, monasteries and temples are all inns for us travelers. Upon seeing the mountain gate, one is entitled to three *sheng* of rice. Why do you not keep me? What is the reason?" The monastic official angrily shouted, "You wandering monk, you have such glib and oily talk!" Tripitaka asked, "What do you mean by 'glib and oily talk'?" Monastic official said, "The ancients said, 'When a tiger enters the city, every household closes its doors. Though it may not bite people, it has already ruined its reputation.' Recently, a few wandering monks came and sat down outside the mountain gate. I saw how poor they were, each with torn clothes, no shoes, bald heads, and bare feet. I pitied their raggedness and immediately invited them into the abbot's quarters, seated them in places of honor. I served them vegetarian meals and even lent each of them an old garment. I kept them for several days. Who knew they became greedy for comfortable food and clothing and never thought of leaving? They stayed for seven or eight years. Staying would have been fine, but they also committed many unjust deeds." Tripitaka asked, "What unjust deeds?" The monastic official said, "Listen to me—"

In their leisure, they threw tiles along the walls; when bored, they pulled nails from the walls.In cold weather, they broke window frames for fire; in summer, they dragged doors to block paths.They tore banner cloth for leg wraps; they secretly swapped tooth incense for turnips.They often spilled oil from glazed lamps; they snatched bowls and pots to gamble.

Tripitaka heard this and secretly thought, "Alas! Am I such a spineless monk?" He wanted to cry but feared the old monk in the temple would laugh at him. So he secretly pulled at his robe to wipe away tears, suppressing his anger and voice, and hurried out to meet his three disciples. Wukong saw the angry look on his master's face and stepped forward to ask, "Master, did the monks in the temple hit you?" Tang Sanzang replied, "They didn't." Pigsy said, "They certainly did, otherwise, why do you sound like you're crying?" Wukong asked, "Did they scold you?" Tang Sanzang replied, "They didn't scold me either." Wukong said, "Since they didn't hit you and didn't scold you, why are you so distressed? Are you homesick?" Tang Sanzang said, "Disciples, it's not convenient here." Wukong laughed, "Is this place a Daoist temple then?" Tang Sanzang angrily said, "Daoists are only in Daoist temples; in monasteries, they are monks!" Wukong retorted, "You're useless. As long as they are monks, they are just like us. As the saying goes, 'Once under the Buddha's assembly, all are fated.' You sit down, let me go in and see." The Great Sage, adjusting his golden headband and tightening his skirt, holding his iron staff, went straight to the Mahavira Hall. He pointed at the three Buddha statues and said, "You are merely clay figures adorned with gold, false images. How can there be no spiritual response within? I, your Old孙, am escorting the Tang holy monk to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek true scriptures. Tonight, we specifically came here to seek lodging. Quickly report it to me! If you don't keep us, I will smash your golden bodies with one staff blow, making you reveal your true nature of clay!" The Great Sage was angrily blustering in the front. Just then, a Daoist burning evening incense, having lit a few sticks, came to insert them into the censer before the Buddha. Wukong gave a shout, startling him into a fall. He scrambled up, saw Wukong's face, and fell again, then scrambled away in fright, running into the abbot's quarters to report, "Venerable Master, a monk has come outside!" The monastic official said, "You Daoists are always getting things wrong! I just told him to squat in the front corridor, and you're reporting again! Say that again and I'll give you twenty lashes!" The Daoist said, "Venerable Master, this monk is different from that monk. He's fierce and spineless." Monastic official asked, "What does he look like?" Daoist replied, "He has round eyes, pointed ears, a hairy face, and a thunder god's mouth. He holds a staff, gritting his teeth, looking for someone to hit." Monastic official said, "Let me go out and see." He immediately opened the door, only to see Wukong storming in, truly ugly: a face with prominent bones, irregular and angular, two yellow eyes, a prominent forehead; fangs growing outwards, like a crab, flesh on the inside, bone on the outside. The old monk was so frightened he quickly closed the abbot's door.

Wukong chased after him, smashing the door open with a crash, and said, "Quickly clean a thousand clean rooms! Your Old孙 needs to sleep!" The monastic official hid in the room and told the Daoist, "No wonder he's ugly, he talks big, that's why he has such a face. Here, including the abbot's quarters, Buddha halls, bell and drum towers, and both corridors, there aren't even three hundred rooms in total, yet he wants a thousand rooms to sleep in? Where would they come from?" The Daoist said, "Master, I'm scared witless. Just agree to whatever he says." The monastic official, trembling, called out loudly, "That Elder seeking lodging, this humble mountain of ours is not convenient, we dare not keep you. Please find lodging elsewhere." Wukong transformed his staff to be as thick as a basin, standing it straight up in the courtyard, and said, "Monk, if it's not convenient, then you move out!" Monastic official replied, "This temple is where we've lived since childhood, passed down from our grand-master to our master, and from our master to us. We wish to pass it down to our descendants. He doesn't know what's going on, and just brazenly tells us to move out!" The Daoist said, "Venerable Master, if it's really inconvenient, just move out. The staff has already broken through the door!" Monastic official said, "Don't talk nonsense! Where are our four or five hundred old and young monks going to move? If we move out, there's nowhere to live." Wukong heard this and said, "Monk, if there's nowhere to move, then send someone out to demonstrate a staff blow!" The old monk called, "Daoist, you go out and demonstrate a staff blow for me." The Daoist panicked, "Grandpa! Such a huge staff, and you tell me to demonstrate a blow!" Old monk: "Raise an army for a thousand days, use them for one hour. Why don't you go out?" Daoist: "That staff, let alone hitting, if it just falls over, it'll crush one into meat paste!" Old monk: "Don't even talk about crushing. Just if it's standing in the courtyard and you forget it when walking at night, you'll run into it and get a big hole in your head!" Daoist: "Master, you know it's that heavy, why tell me to go out and demonstrate a blow?" They started arguing among themselves inside. Wukong heard it and thought, "This won't do. If I really kill someone with one blow, my master will blame me for violence. I'll find something else to hit for them to see." He suddenly looked up and saw a stone lion outside the abbot's quarters. He immediately raised his staff and smashed it with a *ping-pang*, reducing it to powder. The monks watching through the window were so scared their bones turned to jelly. They hastily crawled under the bed, while the Daoist squeezed into the stove opening, continuously shouting, "Grandpa, the staff is heavy, the staff is heavy! We can't take it, please be lenient, be lenient!" Wukong said, "Monk, I won't hit you. I ask you: how many monks are in this temple?" The monastic official, trembling, replied, "There are two hundred and eighty-five rooms, totaling five hundred monks with ordination certificates." Wukong said, "Quickly gather all five hundred monks, neatly lined up, wearing long robes, and go out to welcome my Master from the Tang Dynasty. Then I won't hit you." Monastic official said, "Grandpa, if you really won't hit us, we'll carry him in if we have to!" Wukong said, "Go quickly!" Monastic official called, "Daoist, don't say your courage has been scared out of you, even if your heart has been scared out, go and tell these people to come and welcome Elder Tang!"

The Daoist, having no choice, risked his life, not daring to go through the door, and squeezed out through a dog hole in the back. He went straight to the main hall, beating the drum on the east side and ringing the bell on the west side. As the bell and drum sounded together, it alarmed the monks of all sizes in both corridors, who came to the hall and asked, "It's still early for evening, why are you ringing bells and beating drums?" The Daoist said, "Quickly change your clothes, follow the Venerable Master to form a line, and go out of the mountain gate to welcome the Elder from the Tang Dynasty." The monks, indeed, neatly lined up and went out the gate to welcome them. Some wore kasayas, some wore *pianshan*, and those who had none wore a "one-piece poor man's robe." The extremely poor, without long robes, tied up their waist skirts to drape over their bodies. Wukong saw them and asked, "Monk, what kind of clothes are you wearing?" The monk, seeing his ugly appearance, said, "Grandpa, please don't hit me, let me explain. This cloth was donated in our city; there are no tailors here, so we made these 'poverty-wrapped' robes ourselves."

Wukong chuckled inwardly at this, then urged the monks to kneel outside the mountain gate. The monastic official kowtowed and shouted, "Elder Tang, please come and sit in the abbot's quarters." Pigsy saw this and said, "Master is really useless. When you went in, you were teary-eyed, looking like a spilled oil bottle. How did Senior Brother have such cunning to make them kowtow to welcome you?" Tripitaka said, "You blockhead, how impolite! As the saying goes, 'Even ghosts fear the wicked.'" Tang Sanzang, seeing them kowtowing, felt very awkward. He stepped forward and said, "Esteemed sirs, please rise." The monks kowtowed, "Venerable Master, if you could just tell your disciple to be lenient and not use his staff, we would even kneel for a month!" Tang Sanzang called, "Wukong, don't hit them." Wukong replied, "I haven't hit them. If I had, their roots would have been broken by now." Only then did the monks rise. Some led the horse, some carried the luggage, some lifted Tang Sanzang, some carried Pigsy, and some escorted Sandy. All entered the mountain gate together, and then proceeded to the back to the abbot's quarters, where they sat down in order.

The monks bowed again. Tripitaka said, "Venerable Abbot, please rise. There's no need for further salutations; you humble this poor monk. We are all disciples of the Buddha." Monastic official replied, "Venerable Master is an imperial envoy from the esteemed country. This humble monk failed to greet you properly. Now that you have arrived at this desolate mountain, my common eyes unfortunately did not recognize your esteemed presence, and we met by chance. May I ask, Venerable Master, on your journey, do you consume vegetarian food or meat? We will then prepare your meal accordingly." Tripitaka replied, "Vegetarian." Monastic official said, "Disciples, this Venerable Master here prefers meat." Wukong said, "We also eat vegetarian; we are all 'womb vegetarians' (born vegetarian)." The monks exclaimed, "Grandpa! Such fierce men also eat vegetarian!" A brave monk approached and asked, "Since Venerable Master eats vegetarian, how much rice should we cook to suffice?" Pigsy retorted, "You small-minded monk! Why ask! Just cook one *shi* of rice per household!" The monks panicked. They immediately went to scrub pots and stoves, prepare tea and meals in their respective rooms, lit bright lamps high, arranged tables and chairs, and attended to Tang Sanzang.

The master and disciples finished their evening meal, and the monks cleaned up. Tripitaka thanked them, "Venerable Abbot, we have troubled your esteemed monastery." Monastic official replied, "Not at all, not at all. We apologize for any neglect." Tripitaka asked, "Where shall my disciples and I rest?" Monastic official said, "Venerable Master, no rush, this humble monk has arrangements." He called the Daoists, "How many of you are available to help over there?" Daoist replied, "Master, there are." Monastic official instructed, "Two of you prepare fodder for Elder Tang's horse; a few of you go ahead and clean those three meditation halls, set up beds and curtains, and quickly invite the Elder to rest." The Daoists obeyed, prepared everything, and then came to invite Elder Tang to sleep. The master and disciples, leading the horse and carrying luggage, left the abbot's quarters and went directly to the entrance of the meditation hall. They saw inside that the lamps were brightly lit, and four rattan-frame beds were laid out in the two side rooms. Wukong saw this, called the Daoists who were preparing fodder, had them carry the fodder into the meditation hall, tied up the white horse, and told all the Daoists to leave. Tripitaka sat in the middle, and on either side, five hundred monks stood under the lamps, attending to him, not daring to move away. Tripitaka leaned forward, "Esteemed sirs, please return. This poor monk would like to rest comfortably." The monks absolutely dared not leave. The monastic official stepped forward and instructed the assembly, "Serve the Elder until he is settled, then you may return." Tripitaka said, "This is already settled; please all return." Only then did the crowd dare to disperse.

Tang Sanzang stepped out to relieve himself, and seeing the bright moon in the sky, called out, "Disciples." Wukong, Pigsy, and Sandy all came out to stand by him. Touched by the clear and bright moonlight, and the vast, deep celestial palace, truly a single moon shining high, illuminating the earth clearly, he felt a longing for home under the moon and spontaneously composed a long ancient-style poem. The poem said:

The brilliant orb hangs in the sky like a precious mirror, its shadow embracing the mountains and rivers, perfectly complete.In jade palaces and pure halls, clear light abounds; like an icy mirror or silver platter, fresh air swirls.For ten thousand miles, it is equally bright and clear; this night is the most vibrant of the year.Wholly like a frosted cake rising from the vast sea, yet like an ice wheel hanging in the blue sky.In a guest house, a cold window, a lone traveler is bored; in a mountain village inn, old men sleep.Suddenly arriving at the Han gardens, autumn-tinged hair is startled; just reaching the Qin tower, evening dressing hurries.Yu Liang had poems passed down in Jin history; Yuan Hong sleeplessly floated his boat on the river.Light floats on the cup's surface, cold and weak; clearly reflected in the courtyard, strong and divine.Everywhere by windows, white snow is chanted; in every courtyard, icy strings are played.Tonight, I quietly enjoy it at this mountain temple; when will I similarly return to my old garden?

Wukong heard this, stepped forward, and replied, "Master, you only know the moonlight's splendor and feel homesick, but you don't understand the moon's deeper meaning. It is the rule and measure of the primordial cosmic law. On the thirtieth day, the yang essence (metal) of the soul is fully dispersed, and the yin essence (water) of the soul fills the disc, hence it is completely black and without light, called 'obscure.' At this time, it conjoins with the sun. Between the new moon and the first crescent, it absorbs sunlight and becomes pregnant. On the third day, one *yang* appears; on the eighth day, two *yang* emerge, the soul is half-filled within the *po* (yin essence), flat like a string, hence called 'upper crescent.' By the fifteenth day, three *yang* are complete, which is why it is full and round, called 'full moon.' On the sixteenth day, one *yin* appears; on the twenty-second day, two *yin* emerge. At this time, the *po* is half-filled within the *hun* (yang essence), flat like a string, hence called 'lower crescent.' By the thirtieth day, three *yin* are complete, and it is obscure again. This is the essence of primordial cultivation and refinement. If we can cultivate and nourish 'two eights' and succeed in 'nine nines,' then seeing the Buddha will be easy, and returning to our homeland will also be easy." The poem said:

After the waxing crescent, before the waning crescent, the 'medicine' is balanced, and the energy is complete.Gathered and refined in the furnace, with sincere effort, the merits will lead directly to the Western Heaven.

The Elder heard this and instantly understood, grasping the true words. Filled with joy, he thanked Wukong. Sandy, standing by, laughed, "Senior Brother's words are appropriate, but you only spoke of the waxing phase belonging to yang, and the waning phase belonging to yin; the yin containing half yang, obtaining the metal of water. But you didn't say:

Water and fire mingle, each with its own affinity, entirely dependent on the Earth Mother to match them perfectly.The three families meet without conflict; water in the long river, the moon in the sky.

The Elder heard this and his mind was also enlightened. It was truly: "When one principle is understood, a thousand principles are understood; when the concept of 'non-birth' is revealed, one is an immortal." Pigsy stepped forward, pulling the Elder, "Master, don't listen to their rambling; you'll miss your sleep. This moon, ah:

It soon becomes full again after waning, just like me, not perfect since birth.When I eat, they complain my belly is big; when I take a bowl, they say I have slobber.They are all clever, cultivating good fortune; I, foolish, accumulate karma.I say your scripture-seeking will complete your karma from the three lower realms, then you'll wag your tail and shake your head straight up to heaven!

Tripitaka said, "Alright, disciples, you're tired from walking, go to sleep first. Let me recite this scripture." Wukong replied, "Master, you're mistaken. You became a monk from childhood. Which scripture did you not know well when you were young? And now you've received the Tang Emperor's decree to go to the Western Heaven to meet the Buddha and seek the Mahayana true scriptures. Your task is not yet complete, you haven't seen the Buddha, nor have you obtained the scriptures. What scripture are you reciting?" Tripitaka replied, "Since I left Chang'an, I've traveled daily, always on the move. I'm afraid the scriptures from my youth have become rusty. Fortunately, I have leisure tonight, so let me review them." Wukong said, "Since you say so, we'll go to sleep first." The three of them each lay down on a rattan-frame bed. The Elder closed the meditation hall door, trimmed the silver lamp high, spread out the scripture, and silently read it. It was truly: At the first drum from the tower, human activity ceased; at the wild river's edge, fishermen's lights died out. But how the Elder left the monastery is unknown; please listen to the next chapter for the explanation.