Why don’t the temples in Wuji Kingdom welcome Monk Tang?

(Six Stone Image Issue 140)

Article: Chuaner in Water Town

Tang Monk and his apprentice arrived at the imperially built Baolin Temple in Wuji Kingdom, and Sun Wukong took a look , tell Old Tang that this temple is safe and there are no monsters, so you can rest assured.

When Old Tang heard that there was no danger, he was overjoyed: "I'll go in. You have ugly faces, rough words, and strong and arrogant personalities. If you offend the monks here, you won't be allowed to stay, which will be unsightly." "If I'm good-looking, I'll go first. If you're ugly, stay back."

Tang Monk entered Baolin Temple alone. Seeing the splendor of this temple, he was very envious. If we in the Tang Dynasty had such a temple, I would not have to suffer this sin.

Tang Monk walked for a long time without meeting a monk. Instead, he met a Taoist priest. What kind of rhythm is this? You must have gone to the wrong theater.

After asking about it, I found out that this Taoist was responsible for sweeping the floor, ringing the bell, and doing chores. The Taoist did chores for the monks. It can be seen that the status of the monks in the Wuji Kingdom was much higher than that of the Taoists.

The Taoist hurriedly informed the abbot that the abbot here also had another name called Seng Guan. It turned out that the monk here was the official.

As soon as the monk officials heard about the eminent monk coming from the Eastern Tang Dynasty, they quickly stood up, changed their clothes, pressed their Vairocana hats, put on their cassocks, and opened the door to greet him.

But at first glance, Tang Monk had a bare head, wore a collar and twenty-five pieces of Dharma robes, and had a pair of muddy Dharma shoes on his feet, leaning against the back door.

You must know that monks at that time wore hats and cassocks out of etiquette. Tang Monk forgot to wear his hat and cassock given by Guanyin Bodhisattva for a while.

When the monk saw this, he beat the Taoist priest angrily: This is not a holy monk from the Tang Dynasty. He looks like a beggar. Just teach him to squat on the front porch! "

What does this mean? Tang Seng is too poor, and the abbot of Baolin Temple is a snobbery who judges people by their appearance.

Tang Seng shed tears when he heard someone say this about himself. This But I almost cried, but I didn't cry. This monk is not as good as Elder Jinchi. He knows the goods at least. It would be better if he brought the monkey in and broke his legs.

Now that he has come in, If you go out like this, you will definitely be laughed at by the monkeys, so let’s ask him: Old Master, this disciple is sent by the Tang Dynasty from the East to go to the West to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. I passed by Baofang Tianwan and asked to borrow a night. Just don’t mess with Tianguang tomorrow. It’s convenient for the old master Wanwang.

This monk is very impatient. The book implies that this monk once took in a group of homeless people like Tang Monk, but he didn’t expect this. People stay there for seven or eight years, and they have suffered a lot in love.

No one can stop the monk from being a hooligan. Tang Monk secretly wiped his tears and cried. Why was he crying? /p>

Because I am said to be a spineless monk. You can look down on me, but you cannot insult my profession.

Tang Seng went in with a smile and came out crying, telling the whole story. When Sun Wukong heard this, these monks actually dared to bully Tang Monk. Don’t you know that Lord Ma has three eyes?

Some people say that "Journey to the West" respects Buddha and restrains Taoism. On the contrary, The descriptions of monks in the book are basically not positive, they are all snobbish about their faces and clothes, just like the Shaolin Temple today.