Chapter ninety-eight
Only when ape and horse are tamed can they shed their mortal shells.
When merit and conduct are perfected, they behold True Suchness.
yuánshúmǎxùnfāngtuōqiào猿熟马驯方脱壳gōngchénghángmǎnjiànzhēnrú功成行满见真如
How to read this chart:
Preparations and Departure
Kou EstateAfter Squire Kou's return to life, the pilgrims set out on their journey. They travel through a peaceful land of Buddha in the West with beautiful scenery and kind people.
Meeting the Great Immortal
Jade Perfection AbbeyThe pilgrims are greeted by a Daoist immortal at the gate. Wukong recognizes him as the Great Immortal of the Golden Head. They are welcomed with tea and a vegetarian meal. The pilgrims bathe in scented liquid as preparation to ascend the land of Buddha. They rest overnight at the abbey before continuing their journey.
The Pilgrims Approach and Board the Divine Ferry
Cloud-Transcending FerryThe pilgrims confront a perilous single-log bridge but are met by a mysterious boatman (the Conductor Buddha). Wukong recognizes the figure but says nothing. They board the bottomless boat to cross.
Crossing the Cloud-Transcending Ferry
Cloud-Transcending FerryThe Conductor Buddha ferries the pilgrims across the bottomless boat. Sanzang hesitates and nearly falls but is rescued by the boatman. Seeing a floating corpse, Sanzang panics, but Wukong reveals it is his discarded mortal shell—marking their transcendence. The pilgrims safely reach the far shore and shed their mortal bodies.
Arrival at Thunderclap Monastery
Thunderclap MonasteryThe pilgrims reach the monastery and are greeted by the Vajra Guardians at the gates. They prostrate before Buddha at the Great Hero Hall and present their royal rescript to seek scriptures. Buddha acknowledges the corruption of the East but expresses compassion for the suffering of its people.
Receiving the Buddha’s Meal and Gift of Scriptures
Thunderclap MonasteryBuddha instructs Ananda and Kasyapa to provide the pilgrims a divine meal that grants longevity. Afterwards, Ananda and Kasyapa select scrolls from each of the 35 sutra divisions, presenting scriptures to take back East.
Demand for Gifts
Thunderclap MonasteryAnanda and Kasyapa demand gifts in exchange for the scriptures. Wukong threatens to appeal to Buddha, prompting Ananda to reluctantly hand over the scrolls.
Wind Theft of Scriptures
Spirit MountainDipankara discovers the given scrolls are wordless and sends the White Heroic Honored One to retrieve them. The White Heroic Honored One creates a powerful wind and snatches the scriptures from the horse. Wukong pursues but abandons the chase when the scrolls are torn open and scattered by the wind.
Discovery of Wordless Scriptures
Spirit MountainThe disciples collect the scattered scriptures and discover they are blank with no words. Sanzang laments the failure, fearing he cannot face the Tang Emperor with empty scrolls. Wukong accuses Ananda and Kasyapa of fraud for demanding bribes.
Confrontation with Tathagata
Thunderclap MonasteryThe pilgrims return to Thunderclap and confront Buddha about the blank texts. Buddha explains the blank texts are true wordless scriptures, but the people of the East are too foolish to appreciate them. He orders Ananda and Kasyapa to provide scriptures with words instead.
Receiving and Presenting the True Scriptures
Thunderclap MonasteryAnanda and Kasyapa again demand a gift, causing mockery from other monks and guardians. Sanzang offers his purple-gold alms bowl bestowed by the Tang Emperor. Kasyapa selects true scriptures with words, which the disciples verify scroll by scroll—5,048 in all.
Receiving Teachings on Scriptures
Thunderclap MonasteryBuddha emphasizes the sacred importance of the scriptures, warning they must be handled with reverence through fasting and bathing. The pilgrims prostrate themselves in homage three times before departing through the monastery gates.
Guanshiyin Surrenders Golden Decree
Thunderclap MonasteryAfter Sanzang departs, Bodhisattva Guanyin requests to return the golden decree. She reports the journey took 14 years (5,040 days), needing 8 more days to reach the perfect number of 5,048. Buddha approves and instructs the Vajra Guardians to transport the Sanzang back to the East within 8 days.
Departure via Vajra Guardians' Magic Clouds
Spirit MountainThe Vajra Guardians catch up with the pilgrims and lift them onto clouds. With lightness and agility, the Sanzang and his disciples ascend to return to the Land of the East. Their minds are described as enlightened, their merit and work perfected.