Bianji's "The Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty" is the main model for Wu Chengen's "Journey to the West" in the Ming Dynasty.
Bianji was Xuanzang's disciple and worked hard to translate Buddhist scriptures. He lived by his master Xuanzang and wrote "The Records of the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty" based on the master's oral transmission. The degree of authenticity should be quite high.
However, this book is dry and it is difficult to support the formation of such a classic work.
Another book is "Changchun Zhenren's Journey to the West" which was previously hidden in a Taoist temple. The author, Li Zhichang, was a disciple of Qiu Chuji. He followed Qiu Chuji to the snowy mountains of the Western Regions at the invitation of Genghis Khan. This book records the mountains, geography, people and customs encountered by the master and disciples on their way to the Western Regions, as well as what happened during the journey. It also records Qiu Chuji’s journey. Poetry.
Wu Chengen lived in the Taoist temple for more than a year and had the opportunity to glimpse this wonderful Taoist book. It is the mysterious and complex metaphysical system of Taoism that gave Wu Chengen the writing framework and main line of "Journey to the West" and created a rich source of creativity.
Therefore, "Journey to the West" cannot simply be regarded as a fantasy novel. To put it bluntly, it is nonsense. Rather, it has a clear Taoist path for self-cultivation.
At the beginning of life, it is just like chaos, as said in the first chapter:
Chaos is not divided into heaven and earth. It's so vast that no one can see it.
Since Pangu broke through the Hongmeng, he opened up the distinction between the clear and the turbid.
Encourage all sentient beings to look up to the benevolence and discover that all things are good.
If you want to know about the Yuan Gong of Creation, you must read the Legend of Shie in Journey to the West.
Shao Kangjie of the Northern Song Dynasty said: "Halfway through the winter solstice, the heart of heaven has not changed. The place where the first yang first moves is when all things are not born." The sprouting of all things begins at the first yang. Xing, rejuvenation, is the beginning of all things.
Let’s take a look at the emergence of the Stone Monkey: Since its inception, Gai has been exposed to the innocent beauty of the earth, the beauty of the sun and the moon, and has been feeling it for a long time, so he has a spiritual understanding. There are immortal cells inside, which burst open one day and produce a stone egg, which is as big as a ball. Seeing the wind, it transformed into a stone monkey with all five senses and four limbs. Then he learned to crawl and walk, and worshiped in all directions.
This passage is very similar to some ancient novels. When it is difficult to explain the origin of a child's parents, these lies are used to deceive the world, cover people's ears, or deliberately cover.
In the days when his parents are not with him, the monkey can walk and jump in the mountains, eat plants and trees, drink from springs, pick mountain flowers, and forage for tree fruits; Companions, tigers and leopards are a herd, deer are friends, and macaques are relatives; they stay under the stone cliffs at night and travel in the peak cave. It's true that "there are no Jiazi in the mountains, and it's so cold that you don't know the year."
When the weather is hot, I and a group of monkeys play under the shade of the pine trees to escape the summer heat. Look at each one of them: jumping on trees and climbing branches, picking flowers and fruits; throwing marbles, running around in sand nests, building pagodas; catching dragonflies and beating wax wax; praying to God and worshiping Bodhisattva; pulling kudzu vines and weaving straw. Catching lice, biting and pinching; arranging sweaters, picking nails; rubbing and rubbing; pushing and pressing; pulling and pulling, letting him be stubborn under the green pine forest, and washing by the green water stream .
What a carefree, joyful, carefree childhood life.
While traveling and surviving in the wild, I finally discovered a waterfall curtain.
A white rainbow rises, thousands of snowflakes fly; the sea breeze blows constantly, and the river moon still shines.
The air-conditioning divides the green mountains, and the remaining water is moist and green; the gurgling waterfall is like hanging curtains.
All the monkeys clapped their hands and praised: "Good water! Good water! It turns out that this place is far away from the foot of the mountain, directly to the waves of the sea." Then they said: "Which one has the ability? If you dig in and find the source, and come out without harming your body, we will worship him as our king."
The stone monkey bred by the essence of heaven and earth finally has a man who will become famous. Opportunities: Today, if you are famous, you will have great luck; if you are destined to live here, the king will send you to the fairy palace.
A stone monkey is a stone monkey after all: Look at him squatting down with his eyes closed, vertically jumping into the waterfall spring, suddenly opening his eyes and looking up, there is nothing there. The water has no waves and is a clear bridge. He paused, calmed down, and looked carefully again. It turned out to be an iron bridge. The water under the bridge rushed through the stone holes, flowed out upside down, and closed the bridge door. But it also lacks a bridge. When we walk and look again, it looks like someone is living there. It’s such a good place. But see that:
Green moss piles of blue, white clouds and jade, light shaking pieces of haze. A quiet room with empty windows and flowers on the sliding bench. The dragon beads hanging in the cave are full of strange flowers. There are traces of fire beside the pot and stove, and traces of food can be found against the table. The stone seats and beds are so lovely, and the stone basins and bowls are even more praiseworthy. I also saw one and two poles repairing bamboo, and there were three and five plum blossoms.
There are several green pine trees that often bring rain, and they look like a home.
Finally, we finally led everyone to discover: the blessed land of Huaguo Mountain and the Water Curtain Cave.
Because of his leadership, he had to worship the Monkey King, and from then on he became the king of the mountain and became the leader of the Monkey Gang.
How are you spending your time in Shuilian Cave in Huaguo Mountain? There is a place to hide when the wind blows, and it is easy to stay safe when it rains. There is no fear of frost or snow, and the thunder will never be heard. The mist always shines, and the auspiciousness comes every time. The pines and bamboos are beautiful every year, and the exotic flowers are new every day.
It is really carefree and happy. So, how did the Monkey King reach a state that he initially didn’t know? It's because
The three Yangs in harmony produce groups of creatures, and the immortal stone cells contain the essence of the sun and the moon.
He borrowed eggs to turn into monkeys to complete the great road, and faked his name and surname to match Dan.
The reason for not knowing internally is that there is no form, and externally, it is clearly known that it is tangible.
Everyone in the past dynasties has been like this, and they have been called kings and saints.
This kind of enlightened daily life is the happiness and carefreeness of the body and senses: picking flowers for food in spring, and finding fruits for life in summer. Harvesting taro and chestnuts in autumn delays the harvest season, while hunting for yellow leaves in winter ensures the blooming season.
Time flies, the happy days have passed by, and new troubles have arisen.
The Monkey King said: "Although today I am not subject to the laws of the human king, I am not afraid of the majesty of animals. In the future, when I am old and my blood is weak, I will secretly take care of it. Once I die, I will not be in vain." In the world of birth, one cannot stay among gods and humans for a long time. "How to obtain immortality and get rid of diseases?" It turns out that there are three beings in the world: Buddha, immortals and gods, who can live forever.
When the Monkey King heard this, he was filled with joy and said: "Tomorrow I will bid you farewell and go down the mountain to travel around the world. I must visit these three people and learn how to live forever. He often escapes the troubles of Lord Yan. "Oh! With these words, Dunjiao jumped out of the net of reincarnation and led to the attainment of the Great Sage Qitian.
The natural monkey has a prosperous road, and he leaves the mountain and rides a raft to take advantage of the wind.
Crossing the ocean to find the way to immortality, determined to devote oneself to great achievements.
If you have a destiny and are destined to leave the secular world, you will meet Yuanlong without any worries.
If you have any information, you will definitely meet a confidant who will tell you that everything can be solved.
During the difficult journey of leaving Huaguo Mountain and seeking immortality and Taoism, I also learned how to wear clothes on my body, swaying across the state and government, in the dust of the city, Learn people's etiquette and learn people's words. Dinner and overnight, dedicated to visiting the sacred path of Buddhas and immortals, and looking for a place of immortality. But I see that everyone in the world is just for fame and gain, and they are greedy and greedy, and none of them is interested in life. Exactly that:
When will the fight for fame and fortune end? Getting up early and going to bed late is not free!
Riding on a donkey, mule and thinking about a horse, the official and the prime minister looking at the princes.
If you only worry about food and clothing and work, why should you be afraid that Lord Yama will take advantage of you?
The step-sons seek wealth and honor, and none of them is willing to look back!
The Monkey King visited the Immortal Path but had no chance to meet him. I spent more than eighty-nine years in Nanfanbuzhou, walking along the Great Wall and visiting small counties. Suddenly traveling to the western sea, he thought that there must be gods overseas. I made a raft alone in front of me and floated across the West Sea until I reached the border of Hezhou in Xiniu. After landing for a long visit, I suddenly saw a beautiful mountain with deep forest foothills. He is not afraid of wolves, worms, tigers or leopards. He can climb to the top of the mountain to watch.
It was last night when the west wind withered the green trees, and I climbed up to the tall building alone, looking to the end of the world in search of the magic of immortality. The belt is getting wider and wider, but I don’t regret it anymore, I feel haggard because of the beauty.
When I climbed to the top of the mountain and was looking at the room, I suddenly heard someone talking deep in the forest, and I hurriedly walked forward. Walking into the forest and listening carefully, it turned out to be the sound of singing. The song goes like this: "Watching chess players, felling trees, walking slowly at the valley entrance by the clouds, selling firewood and drinking wine, laughing wildly because of my love. The autumn is high in the sky, I pillow the pine roots against the moon, and sleep at dawn. Recognize the old forest, climb the cliffs and cross the ridges, Use an ax to cut off dead vines.
Harvest them into a load. On the market, there is no competition for rice. The current price is mediocre. No honor or disgrace, tranquility extends life. Where we meet, we are either immortal or Taoist, sitting quietly in Huang Ting."
The stone monkey was moved and asked where he was. The answer is: Not far, not far. This mountain is called Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. There is a three-star cave with a slanting moon in the mountain. It turns out to be your heart! What is said here is very clear: it is better to seek the Buddha than to seek oneself, to seek immortality, to punish anger and suffocating desires, and to seek within oneself.
What about the fairy boy who opened the cave door? A bun with two silk ribbons, a wide robe with two sleeves. Appearance and body are separate, and mind and appearance are both empty. There are long-term visitors outside things, but long-lived children in the mountains. Not a speck of stain, even the armor is allowed to churn.
What does the Archmage look like when you first meet him? The Great Enlightenment Golden Immortal has an innocent appearance, the Western Wonderful Appearance Patriarch Bodhi; he has no birth and no death in the three or three elements, and he is full of energy and omnipotent God. The emptiness and silence change naturally, just like the original nature. The solemn body has the same longevity as heaven, and the great master of clear mind has experienced all kinds of calamities.
Because Hongmeng first established the original namelessness, Wukong was needed to break the stubbornness.
If you want to practice Taoism, you must put aside the interference of worldly things and forget about the world of mortals before you can practice Buddhism.
In Li Zhichang's "Changchun Immortal's Records of the Western Regions", Qiu Chuji's answer to Genghis Khan's inquiry about the art of immortality is recorded.
At the invitation of Genghis Khan, Qiu Chuji and his apprentices took two years and four months and traveled more than 10,000 miles to reach Genghis Khan's snow-capped mountain palace (in today's Afghanistan).
It is recorded that Genghis Khan and Qiu Chuji discussed Tao three times. When talking about immortality methods, Qiu Chuji said to Genghis Khan: "There is no immortal person in the world, but there are people who live long lives. If they can practice meditation, they can live for more than a hundred years." He also hoped that he could "abstinence and stop killing." ", promote filial piety, "strengthen the spirit internally, cultivate Yin virtue externally", "caring for the people and protecting the public, and making the world peaceful".
Genghis Khan agreed with Qiu Chuji’s idea of ??abstaining from killing and keeping in good health. After weighing the pros and cons of career and longevity, I decided to choose the former. He accepted Qiu Chuji's thought of "respecting heaven and loving the people first" and established the ideological system of the later Mongolian Empire with this purpose. Genghis Khan presented Qiu Chuji with a seal and a tiger talisman. He honored Qiu Chuji as "Qiu Immortal" and "Taizongshi", and named him "National Preceptor" to preside over the affairs of the world.
In 1224 AD, Qiu Chuji's master and apprentice returned to Yanjing, and with Genghis Khan as a gift to the tiger talisman and seal, he took charge of Taoism in the world and exempted Taoist temples and Taoist congregations from all taxes and servants, so Taoism Couples gathered, and the Quanzhen religion flourished.
From then on, master and apprentice Qiu Chuji settled in Yanjing. Master Qiu Chuji and his disciples wandered back and forth in the Qianfeng area of ??Shenling Mountains, where they attained tranquility and enlightened themselves. They are good at writing and poetry, and can travel to the eight extremes of the world. They combine their own experiences of traveling to the West to compile stories of enlightenment and enlightenment. Disciple Li Zhichang followed the example of Tang Monk's disciples in writing "The Journey to the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty", and based on the accompanying diary model, he wrote "Changchun Zhenren's Journey to the West".
"Changchun Zhenren's Journey to the West" mainly records the mountains and rivers passed by and the customs and people seen along the way, as well as the life of Qiu Chuji. It is a study of the history and geography of Mobei and the Western Regions in the 13th century. and important information on the history of Quanzhen Taoism.
Few people knew about this book in the past. During the Qianlong period, Qian Daxin copied it from "Tao Zang" and praised it, which attracted the attention of the academic community. The most popular one now is Wang Guowei's 1926 annotated edition. Wu Chengen had the opportunity to glimpse this book because he devoted himself to Taoism and lived there.
Genghis Khan knew that Qiu Chuji was right. There is no way to live forever in life, no matter high or low, foolish, virtuous or unworthy, the royal family and nobles are no exception.
However, at that time, Mongolia was on the wheel of expansion, and even Genghis Khan, who started the wheel, could not stop the inertia of the wheel. Therefore, Genghis Khan can only achieve the stone monkey's instinctive need to pursue wealth and happiness. Their self-realization is conquest and victory.
Because we can’t let go, we can’t be enlightened, and we can’t transcend reality. We are still trapped by reality in the reincarnation of the cause and effect cycle.
Therefore, Genghis Khan, who recruited Qiu Chuji from thousands of miles away to seek advice on how to live forever, died of a sudden illness during the attack on Xixia.