Continue the Journey to the West

Author: (Ming) Anonymous
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Features: It is a continuation of a classic work, which is a significant cultural tradition in China. The Journey to the West has many sequels, similar to other Chinese classical masterpieces. Some of the more famous ones include The Continuation of the Journey to the West, The Rejuvenated Journey to the West, and The Later Journey to the West. During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, works such as The Journey to the West as Well and The New Journey to the West were also created. This book is one of the most influential and widely circulated sequels to The Journey to the West and is highly worth reading. The Journey to the West is also known as the "Record of Buddha" and the "Record of Demons." Demons can be considered as Buddha, and Buddha can also be considered as demons. Why is this the case? Because Buddha manifests through wisdom, while demons subdue through intelligence, making it possible for demons to enter Buddha. Therefore, even though all the 32 manifestations of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and countless transformations are listed, why should demons not be included? The delusion of demons toward Buddha is also like this. It is a chain reaction that arises solely from the movement within the mind. Life can give birth to both Buddha and demons, so it returns to nothingness by emptying everything. Nothingness is the truth of stillness. If there is nothing to move, what is the meaning of stillness? Then, in the profound and subtle realm, it encompasses all aspects of wisdom, celestial beings' music and dance, radiant hair adorned with jewels, crystal and gold, lions and divine kings, playing miraculous abilities—all of which can be recognized. The ordinary people fail to realize this, giving rise to the "mechanism" in their hearts. What is the harm in mechanism? The Zhuangzi says, "All things arise from mechanism and return to mechanism." Mechanism is to unveil the mystery of creation, to seize the essence of the five elements, to hold it at the most subtle level and manifest it at the greatest risk. Therefore, it is said: "When heaven manifests killing mechanism, it shifts stars and changes constellations; when the earth manifests killing mechanism, dragons and snakes rise from the ground; when humans manifest killing mechanism, heaven and earth are overturned." It is also said: "The mind arises from objects and perishes with objects; mechanism lies in the eyes and words, so it must be used with caution." Mechanism is the pivot between demons and Buddha. To seal it leads to darkness, while to release it sets things in motion. In an instant, it changes forms; in an instant, it becomes cunning; in an instant, it creates meaning within meaning, and the mind gives birth to the mind. Chaos and disturbance arise, driving the divine and subduing intelligence; cleverness becomes an obsession, and mechanical constraints become the cause. Burning the void and piercing the openings, the entire body becomes disintegrated, and the truth of profound stillness becomes unattainable. Far from the subtle essence of Buddha, they seek words in vain, delving into the upside-down and the absurd, an endless cycle. With mechanism dwelling in the heart, the great way is abandoned outside—this is an inevitable outcome. The preface falsely claims to practice cultivation, filled with cunning and humor. Generally, it aims to subdue demons by means of the mind, setting up seventy-two transformations to explore the use of the mind. It searches to the highest heavens and the deepest depths of the underworld, collecting nearly all the sages of the three realms, and,. The world loves and spreads it, yet the author still worries about its absurdity and disrespect. Moreover, with too much mechanism, chaos and disturbance arise daily, logic contradicts the void, and the way deviates from equality. This compilation is thoroughly edited, cutting away the unnecessary, so that the past and present have their roots, and the real and the illusory are equal in enlightenment. To subdue and capture demons is near at hand, requiring no violent suppression or tedious methods. The Dharma is the mind, and the mind is Buddha. Those who awaken will hear the sound of enlightenment, achieve perfect and solid practice, and help others cross the river to the other shore, returning to the spiritual realm. They transform the impure roots and break free from the constraints of the path. The author's dedication is briefly seen here. I hope readers, with both human and celestial wisdom, will read this book and reflect upon it, understanding it as an unshakable truth. Do not merely dismiss it as redundant appendages or trivialities.