A Question for Buddha

Journey to the West, Chapter 63, A Question for Buddha.

《西游记》第六十三回 求问佛祖

The Tang monk jumped to his feet as the villagers hid behind trees. Wukong, Wujing, and Bajie pulled out their weapons. A large shell rose from the water. It's a giant turtle, said Bajie. The turtle bowed its head toward Wukong. That demon had taken over my house and river. Thank you for getting rid of him. The turtle then looked at the villagers. You don't need to make a boat. I can take the travelers across the river.

唐僧猛地站起身，村民们都躲到了树后面。 悟空、悟净和八戒纷纷掏出了兵器。 一个巨大的壳从水里浮了上来。 是只大乌龟！八戒叫道。 乌龟对着悟空低下头行礼。 那妖怪占了我的洞府，还霸了这条河。 多谢你们把他赶走了。 乌龟接着看向村民们。 你们不用造船啦。 我可以驮几位取经人过河。

That's wonderful said the Tang monk. I'm from the Tang Empire and I know who you are Interrupted the turtle you're traveling to the Western Paradise to get scriptures from Buddha. I Knew you would cross my river eventually Climb onto my shell

太好了！唐僧说道，我来自东土大唐，我知道你是—— 乌龟打断他的话：你是要去西天极乐世界向佛祖求取真经的。我 早就知道你终究会渡过我这条河。 爬到我的背上来吧。

Wukong eyed the turtle suspiciously. How do we know we can trust you? Demons all along the way are waiting for my master to pass by. They all want to eat him! Added Bajie. I promise I won't hurt the Tang monk, said the turtle. I want to help him reach the Western Paradise.

悟空怀疑地打量着乌龟。 我们怎么知道能不能信你？ 一路上的妖怪都等着我师父路过呢。 他们都想吃了他！ 八戒补充道。 我保证不会伤害唐僧的，乌龟说道。 我是真心想帮他赶到西天极乐世界。

After a little more hesitation, the travelers stepped onto the turtle's shell. The turtle began to paddle. The villagers came out from behind the trees and waved. Goodbye, called a woman. Please visit us on your way home, shouted someone else. We will, I promise, called the monk.

又犹豫了一小会儿，取经一行人爬到了乌龟的背上。 乌龟开始划水前行。 村民们从树后面走出来，朝他们挥手道别。 再见呀！一位妇人喊道。 你们回来的时候记得来看我们呀！另一个人高声喊。 我们会的，我保证！唐僧也高声回应。

Soon the turtle was far from shore. Bajie fell asleep. The turtle glanced back at the Tang monk. Excuse me, but can you do me a favor? Of course, said the monk. What do you need me to do? I have been a good Buddhist for over a thousand years, said the turtle. But sadly I'm still just a turtle. Can you ask Buddha when I will be reborn as a human?

很快，乌龟就游到了离岸边很远的地方。 八戒睡着了。 乌龟回头瞥了一眼唐僧。 打扰一下，你能不能帮我个忙呀？ 当然可以，唐僧说道。 你需要我做什么？ 我已经虔心礼佛一千多年了，乌龟说道。 可惜我还是只能做乌龟。 你能不能帮我问问佛祖，我什么时候才能转世成人呀？