Great Tang Tripitaka's Journey to the West: A Critical Commentary

Author: Chief Editor: Gu Qing
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1997-12-01
Features: Excerpt: Entering Xiangshan Temple, the fourth winding path begins the journey, encountering a mountain named "Xiangshan" (1), the land of the Thousand-Armed Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva (2), and also the place where Manjushri Bodhisattva practiced (3). Looking up, one sees a temple gate inscribed with "Xiangshan Temple." The monk and the Monkey Traveler could not help but enter the temple gates for a rest. Seeing the guardian deities on both sides of the gate, fierce in spirit and fierce in appearance (4), ancient and imposing (5), their aura was chillingly formidable. At the sight of them, the monk broke into a cold sweat, his hair standing on end (6). The Monkey Traveler said, "Please allow my master to tour the temple." Thus, he entered the hall with the Traveler. Inside the temple, there was no one. Only the ancient hall stood majestic, fragrant grasses intertwined, and a cool breeze swept by. The monk thought: How lonely is this place (7)? The Monkey Traveler, understanding his master's thoughts, said, "My master, do not be alarmed. The western route is desolate. This place is a world apart. The road ahead is filled with tigers, wolves, snakes, and rabbits. They meet people without speaking, filled with countless sorrows (8). The people here all practice evil methods. Hearing this, the monk sneered and lowered his head. After surveying the surroundings (9), he invited the Traveler to leave.
Moving forward for a hundred miles, the Monkey Traveler said, "My master, the place ahead is called the Snake Country." And there, one saw countless large and small snakes, mingling in chaos. The heads of the large snakes were over ten feet tall, while the small ones were eight feet tall. Their eyes blazed like lights, and their fangs gleamed like swords, with flames spewing from their mouths. At the sight of them, the monk took a step back, filled with alarm. The Monkey Traveler said, "My master, do not be alarmed. The country is named Snake Country, and it is filled with these snakes and insects (10). They vary in size, and all have Buddha-nature. They do not harm people they meet (11)." The monk said, "If so, it is all thanks to the power of the little master." Advancing forward, the large and small snakes saw the seven people coming, and all avoided the path, closing their eyes and bowing their heads, causing no harm as the people passed by (3).
After traveling over forty more miles, it was all snake country. The Monkey Traveler said, "My master, tomorrow you will pass through the Lion Grove and the Tree People Country." The monk said, "Before anything else, we have passed safely." The seven people rested, sweating like rain. The monk then left a poem: "Passed through the snake country for dozens of miles. The clear and quiet Xiangshan Temple (3). Ahead there are more trials and tribulations, all for the people to seek the Buddha's path."