Preface
In the long river of history, Xuanzang is like a dazzling star, illuminating the night sky of human civilization with his extraordinary spirit of exploration and firm religious beliefs.
However, at the twilight of his life, the eminent monk made a shocking decision to cut off his diet, lie down on his right flank, and make a vow to follow Maitreya Buddha in the next life.
This act seems to run counter to his lifelong quest for truth, what prompted him to make such a choice at the end of his life?
1. Xuanzang in his youth: endless questions about Buddhism
In 602 AD, a baby was rescued by a compassionate monk in troubled times, and this baby was later Xuanzang.
Growing up surrounded by temple bells and incense, Xuanzang showed a deep interest in Buddhism and a transcendent understanding.
However, as he studied the Buddhist scriptures in depth, he found that the teachings of the different schools were vastly different and even contradictory, which filled his mind with doubts.
When night fell, the candlelight in the temple was flickering, and Xuanzang sat alone in front of the window, looking at the twinkling stars in the night sky, but his heart was turbulent.
The profundity of the Dharma and the distractions of the world were woven into an invisible web in his heart, which made him feel suffocated.
He began to wonder if these contradictions were due to a mistake in translating the scriptures or if he had failed to grasp the true meaning of the Dharma.
After countless sleepless nights, Xuanzang made the decision to personally travel to Tianzhu, the birthplace of Buddhism, to find the answers that had plagued him for years.
2. There is no way to go west: many obstacles to reality
During the Zhenguan period, the young Xuanzang made a request to the elders of the temple to travel west to Tianzhu, but his request was categorically refused.
In the Tang Dynasty at that time, it was extremely difficult to go abroad, especially to the distant Tianzhu.
The elders feared that something might happen to the talented young monk on his perilous journey.
Xuanzang's heart is like a captive beast, eager to break out of the cage and run towards freedom.
He wandered under the long corridors of the temple, each step looking heavy and weak.
At night, he often climbed the tower of the temple alone, looking out at the rolling mountains in the distance, and his heart was filled with a yearning for the unknown world and the truth of the Dharma.
Just when Xuanzang was about to give up, a disaster quietly came.
Drought and famine swept across the Tang Dynasty, displacing countless people.
Xuanzang saw the dawn of hope, and he thought it was a godsend opportunity to realize his dream of traveling west.
He came to the elders again and pleaded for permission.
After much deliberation, the elders finally agreed to his request.
Xuanzang's heart ignited a new hope, and he knew that this was a turning point in his destiny and the beginning of his pursuit of the truth of Buddhism.
3. Turning Point in the Crisis: Embarking on the Road to the West
Xuanzang stood in front of the door of the temple, with both the anxiety of the unknown journey and the excitement of realizing his dream.
He knew that the journey was going to be difficult, but his heart was filled with a longing for the Dharma, and this desire kept him going.
He blended in with the displaced people and set out on his journey west.
As he moved away from Chang'an step by step, Xuanzang's heart gradually firmed, and his eyes penetrated the fog ahead, as if he had seen Tianzhu's pagoda standing in the distance.
The scenes along the way made Xuanzang's mood heavier and heavier.
He saw hungry children crying, and tired old people lying on the side of the road.
These faces of suffering strengthened his determination to seek the truth of the Dharma.
He told himself that only by finding the true Dharma could he save these suffering souls.
When night fell, Xuanzang stopped at a desolate post station, closed his eyes and silently recited the scriptures, praying for the protection of the Buddha.
He knew that tomorrow would be even harder, but he had nothing to fear.
Fourth, the hardships of a thousand miles to the west: the test of the desert and the snow-capped mountains
The first rays of dawn shone on Xuanzang's face, he opened his eyes, took a deep breath of fresh air, and continued to embark on the road to the west.
He followed the caravan through Shu and over the steep Jieshan Mountain.
At the top of the snow-capped mountains, he witnessed the magnificence of the glaciers, but also felt the pain of altitude sickness.
Every step was like stepping on a cloud, fluttering, and he had to remind himself to stay awake at all times.
After leaving the caravan, Xuanzang faced an even more difficult journey alone.
The scorching sun of the desert was like a flame, scorching his skin dry, and the cold wind of the night pierced his bone marrow like a sharp blade.
He was lost in the desert and could only rely on the stars in the sky to discern his bearings.
He nearly lost his life in a sandstorm, but eventually made it out of the desert with a strong will and faith in Buddhism.
Subsequently, Xuanzang encountered a fierce beast on the mountain again.
Once, while he was resting in a cave, a ferocious snow leopard quietly approached.
At this moment of life and death, he meditated on the scriptures, and his heart was filled with devotion to the Dharma.
Miraculously, the snow leopard turned away, as if moved by his faith.
Xuanzang deeply understood that all this was a test for him by the Buddha.
His footsteps did not stop, and he continued to walk towards the holy place in his heart.
5. More than 10 years of practice: spiritual awakening in ancient India
After countless days and nights of trekking, Xuanzang finally set foot on the land of India.
Here, he felt an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
He entered the disciple of a highly respected sage and began a spiritual life that lasted for more than ten years.
In this birthplace of Buddhism, Xuanzang's soul was once again infused with the source of life like a dry river.
He visited all the holy places of Buddhism in India, leaving his devotional footprints everywhere.
In the ancient temples, he studied the scriptures, debated with the monks, and absorbed the wisdom of the Dharma.
Whenever night falls, Xuanzang will always sit alone under the Bodhi tree, looking up at the starry sky, and meditating on the profundity of Buddhism.
During these quiet nights, he gradually realized the true meaning of Buddhism, and his inner doubts were answered little by little.
6. Promoting the Dharma: The Way Home and the Wisdom of Transmission
After seventeen years of practice, Xuanzang embarked on the journey home with a deep understanding of Buddhism and endless wisdom.
He crossed the Himalayas, crossed the Ganges, and finally returned to the familiar land of the Central Plains.
When he saw the walls of Chang'an again, mixed emotions surged in his heart.
He is no longer the young man he is, but a monk with profound Buddhist cultivation.
Xuanzang settled down in Chang'an City and began his mission to promote Buddhism.
He incorporated what he had seen and heard, as well as his understanding of the Dharma, into his lectures.
He translated a large number of Buddhist scriptures, translating these profound teachings into a language that Han Chinese believers could understand.
His efforts have greatly promoted the development of Buddhism in China, allowing more people to come into contact with and understand Buddhism.
However, Xuanzang always had an unfulfilled wish in his heart.
In the last moments of his life, he made a vow to be reborn in the Tushi Heavenly Court to serve the future Buddha Maitreya.
This pious vision, like a ray of light, pierced through the last moments of his life.
The story of Xuanzang, like a bright pearl, is embedded in the long river of history, inspiring future generations to continue to pursue truth and wisdom.