The True Scriptures

Journey to the West 13 The True Scriptures

Five hundred years passed. Wukong stayed trapped under the mountain. A thick layer of moss covered the monkey. One day Buddha sat in the Thunderclap 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. ”

“ 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?”

Guanyin 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?”

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?” asked the monk.

“ No, ” said the woman. “ They are with Buddha in the Western Paradise. Someone must travel to the Thunderclap 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.