Chapter twelve
The Tang emperor, firmly sincere, convenes a Grand Mass.
Guanyin reveals her divine form and converts Gold Cicada.
tángwángbǐngchéngxiūdàhuì唐王秉诚修大会guānyīnxiǎnxiànghuàjīnchán观音显圣化金蝉
How to read this chart:
Demon Guardian's Soul Exchange
Chang'anThe demon guardian returns Liu Quan's soul to the Golden Court Pavilion Lodge in Chang'an, while bringing Cuilian's soul into the royal palace. The demon guardian transfers Cuilian’s soul into Princess Yuying’s body, causing Yuying’s original soul to remain in the underworld.
Princess Yuying's Apparent Death and Revival
Chang'anPrincess Yuying collapses, apparently dead, causing an uproar in the royal family. Shocking the court, she soon awakens and declares herself to be Cuilian, Liu Quan’s wife returned from death in the princess’s body.
Liu Quan's Return from Region of Darkness
Chang'anLiu Quan returns alive after delivering melons to King Yama in the Underworld. He recounts meeting Cuilian in the Hall of Darkness and learning about her soul being transferred into Princess Yuying's body.
Identity Confirmation and Royal Resolution
Chang'anThe emperor confirms Cuilian's identity through her claims to Liu Quan and their mutual recognition. Taizong provides Yuying/Cuilian with royal dowry items and grants them freedom, allowing the couple to return home together.
Return of Gold and Silver to Virtuous Elders
KaifengYuchi Gong delivers gold and silver to the elder Xiang couple as repayment for the emperor’s afterlife debt, but they decline the reward out of virtue. In recognition, Taizong builds a temple in their honor—the Great Xiangguo Temple.
Imperial Debate on Buddhism and the Grand Mass
Chang'anFu Yi submits a memorial criticizing Buddhism as a foreign and unfilial doctrine, sparking a heated debate among court officials. Xiao Yu and others defend Buddhism, emphasizing its role in promoting virtue and aiding the nation. Taizong listens to arguments from both sides, ultimately siding with the defenders of Buddhism and decreeing that anyone who denounces monks or Buddhism will be punished.
Selection of Xuanzang as Altar Master
Chang'anAfter a debate on Buddhism, Taizong orders the officers to select a monk of great merit to serve as altar master for the Grand Mass. At the Mountain-River Altar, the officials choose Xuanzang (Chen Xuanzang), renowned for his noble lineage, moral character, and mastery of Buddhist scriptures. Xuanzang is recognized as the reincarnation of Gold Cicada and is selected to lead the ceremony.
Imperial Appointment of Xuanzang as Grand Expositor
Chang'anAfter being selected by the officials, Xuanzang is brought before Emperor Taizong. Taizong recognizes Xuanzang as the son of Grand Secretary Chen Guangrui and is pleased with the choice. Xuanzang is formally appointed as the Grand Expositor of the Faith and Supreme Vicar of Priests, receiving a golden cassock, a Vairocana hat, and instructions to organize the Grand Mass.
Grand Mass of Land and Water
Temple of TransformationOn the appointed day, Taizong leads a grand cortege to attend the 49-day Buddhist ritual. The ceremony includes incense-burning, worship of the Buddha's statue, and a proclamation by Xuanzang for the deliverance of 'orphaned souls'.
The Emperor’s Reflections
Temple of TransformationAfter the ritual, Taizong commends Xuanzang and all monks for their devotion. He promises rewards for their efforts to deliver merit through the mass.
Guanyin's Search Begins
Potalaka MountainThe Bodhisattva Guanyin, searching for a worthy seeker of scriptures in Chang'an, attempts to sell treasures like the embroidered cassock and priestly staff. A foolish monk mocks her asking price, prompting Guanyin to continue her search.
Encounter with Chief Minister Xiao Yu
Chang'anGuanyin encounters Chief Minister Xiao Yu while selling the cassock. She explains its virtues and exclusivity, leading Xiao Yu to arrange an audience with Emperor Taizong.
The Emperor's Offer to the Bodhisattva
Chang'anThe emperor is impressed by her poetic description of the treasures and offers to purchase a brocaded cassock and staff from the Bodhisattva, but she insists on giving them freely to Xuanzang as a gift. Xiao Yu intervenes to ensure the emperor honors her wishes.
Xuanzang Receives the Treasures
Chang'anXuanzang is summoned and receives the cassock and staff from Guanyin in the emperor’s presence, signifying his divine selection.
The Grand Mass at the Temple
Temple of TransformationAn honor guard accompanies Xuanzang through the city to a temple, drawing crowds who marvel at his appearance and perceived spiritual virtue. At a formal Buddhist mass, Xuanzang preaches to a large audience while the Bodhisattva Guanyin and Muzha observe to assess his worthiness as a scripture seeker. The event highlights spiritual unity and communal reverence.
Guanyin Challenges Xuanzang's Teachings
Temple of TransformationDuring the Grand Mass, Guanyin—disguised as a monk—interrupts Xuanzang’s sermon, sharply criticizing his knowledge as limited to the Little Vehicle (Hinayana) teachings and claiming to possess higher, soul-saving scriptures of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana). This challenge is both a test and a call to something greater. Officials report the disruption to Taizong, who summons Guanyin and Muzha.
The Bodhisattva Reveals the Mission
Temple of TransformationGuanyin astonishes all by revealing her divine form and ascending into the air, a miracle that publicly signals the need for a new spiritual quest. After Guanyin reveals her true form, Emperor Taizong orders the painter Wu Daozi to capture her likeness. A slip of paper floats down from the sky with a gatha, revealing that the true scriptures of the Great Vehicle are in India, 108,000 miles away, and can redeem damned spirits.
Xuanzang Volunteers for the Journey West
Temple of TransformationAfter Guanyin's revelation and the descent of a gatha describing the scriptures in India, Taizong halts the mass and asks who will go to the Western Heaven to obtain the true scriptures. Xuanzang steps forward, volunteering to undertake the journey and vowing to succeed or never return, even at the cost of his life. Taizong is deeply moved, calls Xuanzang his royal brother and give him a new name, Sanzang (Tripitaka). They perform a ritual of brotherhood before Buddha's image.
Farewell to the Temple
Temple of Great BlessingSanzang reassures his disciples about the dangers ahead, promising they will know his return status by the direction of pine branches at the temple. The disciples commit to waiting for years if necessary.
The Emperor Bids Farewell to Sanzang
Chang'anEmperor Taizong prepares a formal rescript for Sanzang's journey to acquire scriptures and presents him with a purple-gold alms bowl, two attendants, and a horse. At the city gate, Taizong and officials see Sanzang off; the emperor toasts him with wine, symbolically sprinkling a handful of dirt into the cup to remind Sanzang to cherish his homeland. Sanzang drinks the wine, receives his disciples' farewells, and departs on his westward journey as the emperor and court return to the palace.