Chapter 46: Chapter 046: Cai Yin Purifies Water and Visits the Holy Monk Chapter 46: Chapter 046: Cai Yin Purifies Water and Visits the Holy Monk Liu Zhuang had been haunted by dreams of the Golden Man. Therefore, he had dispatched General Cai Yin, leading a group of envoys from Honglu Temple, to journey towards West Cow He State.
Knowing the urgency in Liu Zhuang’s heart, Cai Yin dared not delay along the way. They traveled day and night, hardly stopping to rest, and finally entered the territory of West Cow He State.
Upon arriving at a city within West Cow He State, which was governed by Jingshui Country, the envoys from the East Great Han were naturally received with great hospitality by the local officials. After presenting Liu Zhuang’s imperial decree and the Travel Pass, the City Lord hurriedly welcod Cai Yin and the other envoys from the Great Han into the city. The might of the Great Han was known to all, respected by all. Jingshui Country paid tribute to the Great Han every year, offering gifts as a vassal state. Indeed, the prestige of the Han was known throughout the world, thanks to the heroic leadership of Emperor Wu of Han and the diligent governance of subsequent emperors. Even though the Western Han had perished, the renown of the Eastern Han deterred anyone from committing offenses. Emperor Wu had said, “Those who offend , even if far away, will be punished.” Therefore, nations around the world did not dare to underestimate the Great Han.
Upon their arrival at the City Lord’s Mansion, Cai Yin and his companions settled in, took rests, and were treated to a dinner banquet by the City Lord in the evening.
Cai Yin asked, “Lord City Lord, my Emperor once learned in a dream that there exists a Great Saint known as Buddha in the West, is this true?”
The City Lord answered with a laugh, “Lord Cai speaks truly! Indeed, there are Great Saints here, and they are indeed called Buddha. They possess imnse wisdom, complete enlightennt, and compassionate hearts, helping all beings. Currently, there are two Holy Monks in our city spreading the Buddhist Law, one nad Shemoteng and the other Zhufalan. Their knowledge of Buddhism is profound, and they are versed in almost everything, performing acts of kindness everywhere.”
Upon hearing this, Cai Yin was overjoyed. It turned out to be true. Thus, the mission of his Emperor could be considered accomplished.
“Would you then bother, Lord City Lord, to introduce to these two esteed monks?” Cai Yin asked with a smile.
Although there were Buddhist Temples in so remote areas of Southern Toad Continent, those temples were not well-known, and the monks there were far less wise than Shemoteng and Zhufalan. These two had achieved complete enlightennt in Buddhist Law, and after spreading the teachings of the Buddhist Sect, they were naturally to proceed to Western Heaven to Achieve Buddhahood. Tathagata had promised them that once they brought the Buddhist Law to the Eastern Land, they would be invited to Mount ru to receive the incense of believers from all over the world.
The City Lord laughed, “Very well, very well! Lord Cai wishes to et the two Holy Monks; I will certainly make the introduction.”
In the past few months, Shemoteng and Zhufalan had traveled among the small countries on the borders of West Cow He State, spreading the Buddhist Law. The locals here were extrely devout followers of Buddhism. By the ti they reached this city, the City Lord had already heard much about them. After discussing Buddhism once, he felt utterly convinced! The two monks had demonstrated their Divine Skills in the city by helping so poor citizens, which made their reputation even greater. Cai Yin’s arrival was well-tid.
Cai Yin then said, “Then I must trouble you, Lord City Lord! My Emperor has long admired the Western Saints, and by inviting these two back to spread the Buddhist Law, his wish will finally be fulfilled.”
The City Lord said, “The Son of Heaven of the Great Han is indeed profoundly wise, but Lord Cai is also a capable and efficient official, able to resolve the Emperor’s concerns.”
Cai Yin replied hastily, “I dare not accept such praise, Lord City Lord, you flatter too much. May we invite the two Holy Monks over now?”
The City Lord laughed, “Lord Cai, you are too anxious. You have traveled a long way and faced the hardships of the road; you should rest properly first. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to them.”
Cai Yin nodded and exclaid in delight, “Good, very good! Then I must trouble you, Lord City Lord.” He thought to himself, “The Emperor’s mission is finally completed successfully, I should also be promoted and leave my na in history.”
The envoys from the Great Han indulged deeply in the City Lord’s Mansion; the hardships of the past few months had been tough. Now they could finally enjoy good food and rest, and tomorrow, they would et the person the Emperor wished for and soon return to the Great Han.
After a feast that night, the envoys of the Han Dynasty all retired to the guest rooms arranged by the City Lord, naturally attended by the beauties of the Western Regions. A night of indulgence ensued, the delights of which need not be overly described.
The next day, awoken by the attendance of Hu Ji and dressed in official robes, it was already well into the morning.
Cai Yin and other envoys arrived at the City Lord’s mansion to request the introduction to the Western Saint, the Buddha whom Emperor Ming had dread of.
In fact, the Golden Man whom Emperor Ming, Liu Zhuang, had dreamt of was none other than Tathagata bestowing the dream. However, given the exalted status of Tathagata, the Respectful Ruler of the World, how could he descend from his high position to reincarnate? Years ago, to spread the Buddhist Law in West Cow He State, Tathagata reincarnated as Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, becoming a prince, practicing Buddhist Law, and after five hundred years, Achieved Buddhahood, thus spreading the Buddhist Law throughout the Western Regions. However, practicing Zen indeed led to the downfall of his kingdom, and it is undeniable that his nation perished as a result. As for those whose pursuit of Zen caused ntal disorders or psychosis, their stories are too nurous to docunt.
The City Lord said, “Please follow to the nearest temple to et the two Holy Monks, esteed envoys.”
A subordinate of Cai Yin couldn’t help frowning and retorted, “We are envoys of the Great Han; why don’t those two monks co to et us?!”
The City Lord felt displeased internally and said, “The two monks are Enlightened Ones, free of worldly desires, and it is usually we who seek them out for matters.”
Cai Yin promptly said, “Enough! Do not be rude. These two monks are Western Saints, specifically invited by the Emperor to bring the teachings back to our country. Would you ruin the Emperor’s grand plan?”
As the leader of the group, with Cai Yin speaking, naturally, no one dared to say anything more. Initially, the City Lord was displeased, but he was cheered by Cai Yin’s words. He was a devout Buddhist and certainly did not wish to hear others speak ill of Buddhism. The Great Divine Power and enlightennt of Shemoteng and Zhufalan greatly impressed him, and seeing the disrespect from the Great Han envoys, had it not been for fear of his country facing repercussions from the Great Han, he might have cursed openly. The Han Dynasty was so powerful that, despite the great distance separating Jingshui Country from the Great Han, they definitely had the capability to deploy troops and conquer Jingshui Country.
“My lords, please follow ,” the City Lord said, leading the way, and the delegation from the Han Dynasty followed closely behind.
This temple was a branch of the Pure Water Temple, and in Jingshui Country, most temples bore the na Pure Water Temple. Upon setting foot in this region, Cai Yin and the others saw two streams of Buddha Light shimring within the temple, as if there were Great Enlightened Ones ditating within. Suddenly, they also heard the chanting of Buddhist hymns, which delighted their spirits and soothed their bodies completely.
Cai Yin joyfully said, “Indeed, there are Great Saints, Great Enlightened Ones! This chanting makes my whole body relax as if all the soreness has vanished.”
Cai Yin and his companions faced wind and dust on their travels, and even as they rode horses, they felt wearied and sore all over. But as they approached the Pure Water Temple, they imdiately felt as if all their fatigue was swept away.
“Lord Cai, please,” the City Lord said.
“Lord City Lord, please,” Cai Yin replied with a smile, feeling quite thrilled inside. After months of arduous travel, he felt the completion of his mission was in sight, filling him with joy.
The City Lord entered the temple and announced loudly, “Two Holy Monks, there is an Envoy from the Great Han of the Eastern Land seeking an audience!”
The chanting inside imdiately ceased, and then two monks in kasayas with shaven heads appeared. These two had complexions white as jade; their lips were red and their teeth white; their large, bright eyes shone like stars, and their noses were well-shaped. They looked quite handso, except for their shaved heads, which Cai Yin and his companions found rather odd.
Shemoteng said, “This humble monk has seen the Envoy of the Great Han; my Dharma na is Shemoteng.”
Zhufalan said, “This humble monk is Zhufalan; I’ve seen the honorable envoys.”
The Great Han being known as the Celestial Empire, hence the envoys of the Han Dynasty were called “Envoys of Heaven,” the ssengers of Heaven, a title of honor. Liu Zhuang, revered as the current Emperor of the Eastern Land, was not comparable to the kings of these lesser nations. Even if Tathagata were to co, he would have to show respect to Liu Zhuang, as the Emperor of the Eastern Land was a carrier of the Heavenly Mandate. Although the saying “Divine right of kings” was a way for emperors to consolidate their thrones, each emperor was indeed born in conformity with the Heavenly Dao. For instance, Cheng Tang’s dynasty was fated to be destroyed; thus, Prince Xin of King Zhou erged and indeed brought the dynasty down in no ti; the Western Zhou was destined to rise, hence the ergence of the Civil and Martial Kings. Did not Ji Chang have a hundred sons? Could a common man possess such capability?
Cai Yin also pressed his hands together and bowed, saying, “I’ve seen the two Holy Monks; I am General Cai Yin, an envoy of the Great Han.”
The other envoys also paid their respects and introduced themselves; even the previously dissatisfied envoy no longer bore any arrogance, but felt close to the two n before him, who looked dignified and possessed a strange charm, inspiring a sense of awe.
Shemoteng and Zhufalan greeted each of the envoys reverently, one by one.
“Holy Monks Shemoteng and Zhufalan, our current Son of Heaven had a dream of a Golden Man walking in the palace, knowing this to be an auspicious sign sent from heaven, that the Golden Man represents the Buddha from the West. Therefore, he sent us to the West to seek Buddhism and ask the Dao, so we could escort you back to our Empire to spread the Way of the Dao and protect our dynasty,” Cai Yin said with clasped hands.
“Oh!” Shemoteng and Zhufalan exchanged glances and could not help but smile, as it seed that what Bodhidharma had said was correct; the opportunity had co.
Zhufalan said, “Spreading the compassionate Law of Buddha is our lifelong great aspiration. Since Lord Cai and His Majesty of your country hold us in such high regard, we shall go!”
Shemoteng said, “That your nation’s envoys have traveled thousands of miles shows true sincerity. It is said that sincerity can move heaven and earth; we are but n, not stones, and shall naturally accompany Lord Cai to your country.”
Cai Yin rubbed his hands together gleefully, exclaiming, “Good, good, good! When do the two Holy Monks wish to depart?”
Shemoteng said, “Lord Cai has traveled a long way and must be exceedingly weary. Why not rest well here for two days, partake in vegetarian als, and pray, and then we can start out together?”
Cai Yin, who had long been eager to learn so Buddhist teachings to get closer to the emperor upon his return and perhaps attain a promotion and wealth, was even more delighted to hear Shemoteng’s suggestion.
Cai Yin said with clasped hands, “Then I must thank the two Holy Monks imnsely. I have long admired the Buddhist Sect, and I humbly request your esteed teachings.”
Zhufalan and Shemoteng said in unison, “Certainly, certainly!”
Thus, the delegation from the Great Han settled down in the Pure Water Temple, listening daily to Shemoteng and Zhufalan expound the scriptures, finding the teachings of Buddhism profoundly awe-inspiring.
After all, whether the Buddhist teachings could be spread to the Eastern Land remains unknown. Please tune in next ti for more details.
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