The True Scriptures

Journey to the West, Chapter 13, The True Scriptures.

《西游记》第十三回 真经

500 years passed. Wukong stayed trapped under the mountain. A thick layer of moss covered the monkey. One day, Buddha sat in the Thunder Clap monastery in the Western Paradise. He was talking to his students. The people in the East, in the Tang Empire, need our help, said Buddha. They lie, cheat and steal. They are greedy and constantly fighting. He held up a bundle of scrolls. These are the true scriptures. They will teach the people in the East to act better.

五百年过去了，悟空一直被压在山下，厚厚的青苔长满了这只猴子的全身。 有一天，如来佛祖坐在西方极乐世界的雷音寺里，正和他的弟子们交谈。 佛祖说：“东方大唐的百姓需要我们的帮助。” 他们撒谎、欺诈、偷窃，贪婪无度，还总是争斗不休。 他举起一捆经卷。 这些是真经，能教导东方的百姓学好向善。

Wonderful, said one student. Let's bring the scriptures to the Tang Empire. Buddha shook his head. No, he said. A true believer, a monk, needs to come here to get them. Will anyone go to the east to find a worthy monk?

一名弟子说：“太棒了！” 我们把真经送到大唐去吧。 佛祖摇了摇头。 他说：“不行。” 得有一名虔诚的信徒，也就是僧人，亲自来这里求取真经。 有没有人愿意去东方寻找一位合格的僧人呀？

Guan Yin stepped forward. I will go. The Tang Emperor smiled as his head monk read to a small group of people. The monk was reading old religious texts. A woman interrupted the monk. Why are you reading those old texts? She asked. Don't you know about the true scriptures? Yes.

观音菩萨上前一步。 我愿意去。 大唐皇帝正面带微笑，看着他的首席高僧给一小群人讲经。 这位高僧正在诵读古老的经文。 一名女子打断了高僧的诵读。 你为什么要读这些旧经文呀？ 她问道。 难道你不知道真经的事吗？ 我知道啊。

The Emperor stood up. How dare you interrupt my... It's okay, said the monk. He walked over to the woman. What are the true scriptures? The woman looked at the monk carefully. They contain many lessons. People who learn the lessons never have to suffer again. Do you have them here? Ask the monk.

皇帝站了起来。 你竟敢打断我的…… 高僧说：“没关系的。” 他走到那名女子面前。 真经是什么呀？ 女子仔细打量了高僧一番。 真经里蕴含着很多道理。 学会这些道理的人就再也不用受苦了。 你把真经带来了吗？ 高僧问道。

No, said the woman. They are with Buddha in the Western Paradise. Someone must travel to the Thunder Clap Monastery to get them. But only a true believer may make the journey. She took a robe out of her bag. Put this on. The monk put on the robe. Beams of light shone from it. The Emperor gasped.

女子说：“没有，真经在西方极乐世界的佛祖那里，得有人踏上旅途 前往雷音寺把它取回来，不过只有虔诚的信徒才能走这一趟。 她从包里拿出一件袈裟，说道：“穿上它。”高僧穿上袈裟，一道道光芒从袈裟上 散发出来，皇帝忍不住倒吸了一口凉气。