第016回 Fire at Guanyin Monastery and the Theft of the Cassock by the Black Wind Demon

第016回Chapter 16

卻說他師徒兩個策馬前來，直至山門首觀看，果然是一座寺院。To resume our tale: master and disciple urged their horses onward, and came right up to the front gate of the mountain, where they looked, and indeed it was a monastery.但見那：Behold:

詩曰：A poem says:

長老下了馬，行者歇了擔，正欲進門，只見那門裡走出一眾僧來。The elder dismounted, and Sun Wukong set down his pole, and just as they were about to enter the gate, they saw a crowd of monks come walking out from within.你看他怎生模樣：See what manner of appearance he had:

三藏見了，侍立門傍，道個問訊。When Tripitaka saw them, he stood respectfully to one side of the gate and made a bow of greeting.那和尚連忙答禮，笑道：「失瞻。」問：「是那裡來的？The monk hastily returned the courtesy, and said with a smile, "Forgive my rudeness." Then he asked, "Where have you come from?請入方丈獻茶。」三藏道：「我弟子乃東土欽差，上雷音寺拜佛求經。Please come into the abbot's chamber and take some tea." Tripitaka said, "This disciple is an envoy from the Tang court of the Land of the East, bound for Thunderclap Monastery to worship the Buddha and seek the scriptures.至此處天色將晚，欲借上剎一宵。」那和尚道：「請進裡坐，請進裡坐。」三藏方喚行者牽馬進來。Having reached this place as the sky is about to darken, I wish to borrow a night's lodging at your honored monastery." The monk said, "Please come in and sit, please come in and sit." Only then did Tripitaka call Wukong to lead the horse in.那和尚忽見行者相貌，有些害怕，便問：「那牽馬的是個甚麼東西？」三藏道：「悄言，悄言。When the monk suddenly saw Wukong's appearance, he grew somewhat afraid, and asked, "What sort of creature is that one leading the horse?" Tripitaka said, "Hush, hush.他的性急，若聽見你說是甚麼東西，他就惱了。He is quick-tempered, and if he hears you call him 'creature,' he will grow angry.他是我的徒弟。」那和尚打了個寒噤，咬著指頭道：「這般一個醜頭怪腦的，好招他做徒弟？」三藏道：「你看不出來哩，醜自醜，甚是有用。」He is my disciple." The monk gave a shiver of fright, and said, biting his finger, "Such an ugly, monstrous-looking head — how could you bear to take him as a disciple?" Tripitaka said, "You cannot tell from looking — ugly he may be, but he is of great use."

那和尚只得同三藏與行者進了山門。The monk had no choice but to go together with Tripitaka and Wukong into the mountain gate.山門裡，又見那正殿上書四個大字，是「觀音禪院」。Inside the mountain gate, they saw upon the main hall four large characters written: "Guanyin Chan Monastery."三藏又大喜道：「弟子屢感菩薩聖恩，未及叩謝。Tripitaka was greatly delighted again, and said, "This disciple has repeatedly received the sacred grace of the Bodhisattva, and has not yet had the chance to kowtow in thanks.今遇禪院，就如見菩薩一般，甚好拜謝。」那和尚聞言，即命道人開了殿門，請三藏朝拜。Now that I have come upon a Chan monastery, it is just as if I were seeing the Bodhisattva herself — how excellent to pay my respects." When the monk heard this, he at once ordered the temple attendant to open the hall doors, and invited Tripitaka to worship.那行者拴了馬，丟了行李，同三藏上殿。Wukong tethered the horse, set down the luggage, and went up into the hall together with Tripitaka.三藏展背舒身，鋪胸納地，望金像叩頭。Tripitaka stretched out his back and relaxed his body, pressing his chest to the ground, and kowtowed toward the golden image.那和尚便去打鼓。The monk then went to beat the drum.行者就去撞鐘。Wukong went to strike the bell.三藏俯伏臺前，傾心禱祝。Tripitaka prostrated himself before the altar, praying with all his heart.祝拜已畢，那和尚住了鼓，行者還只管撞鐘不歇，或緊或慢，撞了許久。When the prayers and worship were finished, the monk stopped the drum, but Wukong still kept on striking the bell without pause, now fast, now slow, striking for a very long while.那道人道：「拜已畢了，還撞鐘怎麼？」行者方丟了鐘杵，笑道：「你那裡曉得！The temple attendant said, "The worship is finished — why do you still go on striking the bell?" Only then did Wukong toss aside the bell-hammer, and said with a laugh, "How would you know!我這是『做一日和尚撞一日鐘』的。」此時卻驚動那寺裡大小僧人、上下房長老，聽得鐘聲亂響，一齊擁出道：「那個野人在這裡亂敲鐘鼓？」行者跳將出來，咄的一聲道：「是你孫外公撞了耍子的。」那些和尚一見了，諕得跌跌滾滾，都爬在地下道：「雷公爺爺！」行者道：「雷公是我的重孫兒哩。This is what is called, 'Being a monk for a day, strike the bell for a day.'" By this time the noise had roused all the monks of the temple, great and small, and the elders of every chamber, and hearing the bell clanging in disorder, they all crowded out together, saying, "What wild man is here banging on the bell and drum so recklessly?" Wukong leapt out and shouted, "It is your Grandfather Sun who struck it for fun!" When the monks saw him, they were so terrified they tumbled and rolled over one another, all crawling on the ground, saying, "Lord Thunder God!" Wukong said, "The Thunder God is my great-grandson.起來，起來，不要怕，我們是東土大唐來的老爺。」眾僧方才禮拜。Get up, get up, don't be afraid — we are venerable masters come from the Great Tang of the Land of the East." Only then did the monks make their bows.見了三藏，都才放心不怕。Once they had seen Tripitaka, they all finally set their hearts at ease and were no longer afraid.內有本寺院主請道：「老爺們到後方丈中奉茶。」遂而解韁牽馬，擡了行李，轉過正殿，徑入後房，序了坐次。Among them the abbot of the monastery invited them, saying, "Venerable masters, please come to the abbot's chamber in the rear to take tea." Thereupon they untied the reins and led the horse, carried the luggage, went around the main hall, and proceeded straight into the rear chamber, where they took their seats in order of rank.

那院主獻了茶，又安排齋供。The abbot served tea, and then arranged a vegetarian meal.天光尚早，三藏稱謝未畢，只見那後面有兩個小童，攙著一個老僧出來。The sky was still bright, and before Tripitaka had finished expressing his thanks, he saw two young acolytes come out from the back, supporting an old monk between them.看他怎生打扮：See how he was attired:

眾僧道：「師祖來了。」三藏躬身施禮迎接道：「老院主，弟子拜揖。」那老僧還了禮，又各敘坐。The monks said, "Our patriarch has come." Tripitaka bowed and made a salute of greeting, saying, "Venerable abbot, this disciple pays his respects." The old monk returned the courtesy, and then each took his seat in turn.老僧道：「適間小的們說，東土唐朝來的老爺，我才出來奉見。」三藏道：「輕造寶山，不知好歹，恕罪，恕罪。」老僧道：「不敢，不敢。」因問：「老爺，東土到此，有多少路程？」三藏道：「出長安邊界，有五千餘里。The old monk said, "Just now the young ones told me that venerable masters had come from the Tang court of the Land of the East, and so I came out at once to receive you." Tripitaka said, "To intrude so rashly upon your precious mountain, not knowing what was proper — forgive me, forgive me." The old monk said, "Not at all, not at all." And he went on to ask, "Venerable master, how great a distance is it from the Land of the East to here?" Tripitaka said, "Beyond the borders of Chang'an, it is over five thousand li.過兩界山，收了一眾小徒，一路來，行過西番哈咇國，經兩個月，又有五六千里，才到了貴處。」老僧道：「也有萬里之遙了。After crossing the Twin Boundary Mountains, I took on a disciple, and journeying on, I passed through the country of Hami in the Western regions, and after two months, another five or six thousand li, before at last reaching your honored place." The old monk said, "That is a distance of nearly ten thousand li.我弟子虛度一生，山門也不曾出去，誠所謂『坐井觀天』，樗朽之輩。」三藏又問：「老院主高壽幾何？」老僧道：「痴長二百七十歲了。」行者聽見道：「這還是我萬代孫兒哩。」三藏瞅了他一眼道：「謹言，莫要不識高低，衝撞人。」那和尚便問：「老爺，你有多少年紀了？」行者道：「不敢說。」This disciple has spent his whole life in vain, never once stepping outside the mountain gate — truly what is called 'sitting in a well and gazing at the sky,' a useless, decrepit fellow." Tripitaka then asked, "Venerable abbot, what is your advanced age?" The old monk said, "I have foolishly lived to two hundred and seventy years." Wukong, hearing this, said, "Why, that makes him only my descendant of ten thousand generations." Tripitaka shot him a glance and said, "Watch your words — don't be so ill-mannered as to give offense." The monk then asked, "Venerable master, how many years are you?" Wukong said, "I dare not say."

那老僧也只當一句瘋話，便不介意，也不再問，只叫獻茶。The old monk took this too as mere idle talk, and paid it no mind, nor did he ask further, but only called for tea to be served.有一個小幸童，拿出一個羊脂玉的盤兒，有三個法藍鑲金的茶鍾。There was a young acolyte who brought out a tray of mutton-fat jade, holding three teacups rimmed with enamel and inlaid with gold.又一童，提一把白銅壺兒，斟了三杯香茶。Then another acolyte brought a white copper kettle, and poured out three cups of fragrant tea.真個是色欺榴蕊豔，味勝桂花香。Truly, its color outshone the brilliance of pomegranate blossoms, and its flavor surpassed the fragrance of cassia flowers.三藏見了，誇愛不盡道：「好物件，好物件，真是美食美器。」那老僧道：「污眼，污眼。When Tripitaka saw them, he praised them without end, saying, "Fine things, fine things — truly, delicious food and beautiful vessels." The old monk said, "They soil your eyes, they soil your eyes.老爺乃天朝上國，廣覽奇珍，似這般器具，何足過獎？You, venerable master, are from the Celestial Court, the Central Kingdom, and have widely seen rare treasures — how could such simple vessels as these be worth such high praise?老爺自上邦來，可有甚麼寶貝，借與弟子一觀？」三藏道：「可憐，我那東土無甚寶貝；Since you, venerable master, come from the Superior Land, do you perhaps have some treasure you might lend this disciple a look at?" Tripitaka said, "Alas, our Land of the East has no great treasures;就有時，路程遙遠，也不能帶得。」行者在傍道：「師父，我前日在包袱裡，曾見那領袈裟，不是件寶貝？and even if it did, the journey is so far that none could be brought along." Wukong, standing by, said, "Master, the other day in the bundle I saw that cassock — is that not a treasure?拿與他看看如何？」眾僧聽說袈裟，一個個冷笑。Why not bring it out to show him?" When the monks heard the word 'cassock,' every one of them gave a cold smile.行者道：「你笑怎的？」院主道：「老爺才說袈裟是件寶貝，言實可笑。Wukong said, "What are you laughing at?" The abbot said, "Venerable master just now said the cassock was a treasure — truly, that is laughable.若說袈裟，似我等輩者，不止二三十件；As for cassocks, among the likes of us there are no fewer than twenty or thirty;若論我師祖，在此處做了二百五六十年和尚，足有七八百件。」叫：「拿出來看看。」那老和尚也是他一時賣弄，便叫道人開庫房，頭陀擡櫃子，就擡出十二櫃，放在天井中，開了鎖。and as for our patriarch here, who has been a monk in this place for two hundred and fifty or sixty years, he must have a full seven or eight hundred of them." He called out, "Bring them out for a look." The old monk, too, wished for a moment to show off, and so ordered the temple attendant to open the storehouse, and had the lay brothers carry out the chests — they brought out twelve chests in all, set them down in the courtyard, and unlocked them.兩邊設下衣架，四圍牽了繩子，將袈裟一件件抖開掛起，請三藏觀看。Clothes racks were set up on both sides, ropes were strung all around, and the cassocks were shaken out one by one and hung up, and Tripitaka was invited to look at them.果然是滿堂綺繡，四壁綾羅。Indeed, the whole hall was filled with brocade, and the four walls hung with silk and damask.

行者一一觀之，都是些穿花納錦，刺繡銷金之物，笑道：「好，好，好。Wukong looked them over one by one — they were all things worked with woven flowers and inlaid brocade, embroidered and threaded with gold — and said with a laugh, "Good, good, good.收起，收起。Put them away, put them away.把我們的也取出來看看。」三藏把行者扯住，悄悄的道：「徒弟，莫要與人鬥富。Bring out ours too, and let's have a look." Tripitaka pulled Wukong aside and said quietly, "Disciple, do not go competing in wealth with others.你我是單身在外，只恐有錯。」行者道：「看看袈裟，有何差錯？」三藏道：「你不曾理會得。You and I are alone here, far from home, and I fear something might go wrong." Wukong said, "What could go wrong in just looking at a cassock?" Tripitaka said, "You do not understand.古人有云：『珍奇玩好之物，不可使見貪婪奸偽之人。』倘若一經入目，必動其心；The ancients had a saying: 'Rare and marvelous objects of value should not be shown to men of greed and cunning.' Should such a thing once meet their eyes, it will surely stir their hearts;既動其心，必生其計。and once their hearts are stirred, they will surely devise some scheme.汝是個畏禍的，索之而必應其求，可也；You are one who fears calamity — if they ask to see it, it is well enough to grant their request;不然，則殞身滅命，皆起於此，事不小矣。」行者道：「放心，放心，都在老孫身上。」你看他不由分說，急急的走了去，把個包袱解開，早有霞光迸迸，尚有兩層油紙裹定。but if not, then the loss of life and limb will all arise from this — it is no small matter." Wukong said, "Set your mind at ease, set your mind at ease — leave it all to old Monkey." And look at him — without waiting for further discussion, he hurried off, undid the bundle, and at once a radiant glow burst forth, though it was still wrapped in two layers of oiled paper.去了紙，取出袈裟，抖開時，紅光滿室，彩氣盈庭。He removed the paper, took out the cassock, and as he shook it open, a red glow filled the room, and brilliant colors flooded the courtyard.眾僧見了，無一個不心歡口讚，真個好袈裟。When the monks saw it, there was not one who did not rejoice in his heart and praise it aloud — truly, what a fine cassock!上頭有：Upon it was written:

那老和尚見了這般寶貝，果然動了奸心，走上前，對三藏跪下，眼中垂淚道：「我弟子真是沒緣。」三藏攙起道：「老院師有何話說？」他道：「老爺這件寶貝方才展開，天色晚了，奈何眼目昏花，不能看得明白，豈不是無緣？」三藏教：「掌上燈來，讓你再看。」那老僧道：「爺爺的寶貝已是光亮，再點了燈，一發晃眼，莫想看得仔細。」行者道：「你要怎的看才好？」老僧道：「老爺若是寬恩放心，教弟子拿到後房，細細的看一夜，明早送還老爺西去，不知尊意何如？」三藏聽說，吃了一驚，埋怨行者道：「都是你，都是你。」行者笑道：「怕他怎的？When the old monk saw such a treasure, his heart was indeed stirred by wicked intent, and he stepped forward, knelt before Tripitaka, and said with tears falling from his eyes, "This disciple truly has no such fortune." Tripitaka helped him up and said, "Venerable abbot, what is it you wish to say?" He said, "Venerable master, this treasure of yours has only just been unfolded, and the sky has grown dark, and alas, my eyes are too dim and blurred to see it clearly — is that not misfortune indeed?" Tripitaka said, "Bring a lamp, and let you look again." The old monk said, "Your treasure, venerable master, is already so bright that if a lamp is lit as well, it will dazzle the eyes all the more, and there will be no hope of seeing it in detail." Wukong said, "How then would you like to look at it?" The old monk said, "If you, venerable master, would be so generously kind as to set your mind at ease, and allow this disciple to take it to the rear chamber to examine it carefully through the night, I will return it to you tomorrow morning before you continue west — what do you think of this idea?" When Tripitaka heard this, he was startled, and reproached Wukong, saying, "This is all your doing, all your doing." Wukong said with a laugh, "Why be afraid of him?等我包起來，教他拿了去看。Let me wrap it up, and have him take it to look at.但有疏虞，盡是老孫管整。」那三藏阻當不住，他把袈裟遞與老僧道：「憑你看去。Should anything go amiss, old Monkey will see to it entirely." Tripitaka could not stop him, and so he handed the cassock to the old monk, saying, "Look at it as you please.只是明早照舊還我，不得損污些須。」老僧喜喜歡歡，著幸童將袈裟拿進去。Only see that it is returned to me tomorrow morning just as it is, without the least damage or soiling." The old monk, overjoyed, had the young acolyte carry the cassock inside.卻吩咐眾僧，將前面禪堂掃淨，取兩張籐床，安設鋪蓋，請二位老爺安歇；He then instructed the monks to sweep clean the Chan hall in front, to bring out two rattan beds, and lay out the bedding, to invite the two venerable masters to rest;一壁廂又教安排明早齋送行。and on the other hand, he also told them to prepare a vegetarian meal for the morning to see them off.遂而各散，師徒們關了禪堂，睡下不題。Then everyone dispersed, and master and disciple, having shut the door of the Chan hall, went to sleep — no more of that for now.

卻說那和尚把袈裟騙到手，拿在後房燈下，對袈裟號咷痛哭。Now to tell of that monk, who having cheated his way into possession of the cassock, took it to the rear chamber under the lamp, and wept aloud over it in great sorrow.慌得那本寺僧不敢先睡。This so alarmed the monks of the temple that none dared go to sleep first.小幸童也不知為何，卻去報與眾僧道：「公公哭到二更時候，還不歇聲。」有兩個徒孫是他心愛之人，上前問道：「師公，你哭怎的？」老僧道：「我哭無緣，看不得唐僧寶貝。」小和尚道：「公公年紀高大，發過了。The young acolyte, not knowing the reason, went and reported to the other monks, saying, "Grandfather has been weeping until the second watch, and still has not stopped." There were two of his favored grand-disciples, whom he loved dearly, who came forward and asked, "Grandmaster, why are you weeping?" The old monk said, "I weep that I have no such fortune — I cannot keep the Tang monk's treasure." The young monk said, "Grandfather, you are of such advanced age, you must be having a fit of confusion.他的袈裟放在你面前，你只消解開看便罷了，何須痛哭？」老僧道：「看的不長久。His cassock was laid right before you — you need only have untied it and looked, and that would have been enough. Why must you weep so bitterly over it?" The old monk said, "To merely look at it will not last long.我今年二百七十歲，空掙了幾百件袈裟。I am two hundred and seventy years old this year, and have amassed several hundred cassocks for nothing.怎麼得有他這一件？How could I ever come to possess one like this?怎麼得做個唐僧？」小和尚道：「師公差了。How could I ever become a Tang monk?" The young monk said, "Grandfather, you are mistaken.唐僧乃是離鄉背井的一個行腳僧。The Tang monk is but a wandering monk who has left his native land behind.你這等年高享用，也夠了，倒要像他做行腳僧，何也？」老僧道：「我雖是坐家自在，樂乎晚景，卻不得他這袈裟穿穿。You, at your age, enjoy such comfort and ease — that is surely enough. Why would you instead wish to become a wandering monk like him?" The old monk said, "Though I sit at ease in my own home, and enjoy a comfortable old age, I have never been able to wear that cassock of his.若教我穿得一日兒，就死也閉眼，也是我來陽世間為僧一場。」眾僧道：「好沒正經。If I could but wear it for a single day, I would die with my eyes closed content, and it would not have been for nothing that I came into this world as a monk." The other monks said, "This is quite unreasonable.你要穿他的，有何難處？If you wish to wear his, what difficulty is there in that?我們明日留他住一日，你就穿他一日；Tomorrow we will keep him here a day, and you may wear it for a day;留他住十日，你就穿他十日；keep him ten days, and you may wear it for ten days;便罷了，何苦這般痛哭？」老僧道：「縱然留他住了年載，也只穿得年載，到底也不得氣長。and that would be that — why must you weep so bitterly over it?" The old monk said, "Even if I kept him here a year, I would only wear it for a year, and in the end it still would not last forever.他要去時，只得與他去，怎生留得長遠？」When he wishes to leave, I would have no choice but to let him go — how could I keep it for long?"

正說話處，有一個小和尚，名喚廣智，出頭道：「公公要得長遠，也容易。」老僧聞言，就歡喜起來道：「我兒，你有甚麼高見？」廣智道：「那唐僧兩個是走路的人，辛苦之甚，如今已睡著了。Just as they were speaking, a young monk named Guangzhi stepped forward and said, "Grandfather, if you wish to keep it forever, that too is easy." On hearing this, the old monk grew joyful at once and said, "My child, what fine idea do you have?" Guangzhi said, "That Tang monk and his companion are travelers on the road, and have suffered great hardship, and by now they must already be asleep.我們想幾個有力量的，拿了槍刀，打開禪堂，將他殺了，把屍首埋在後園，只我一家知道，卻又謀了他的白馬、行囊，卻把那袈裟留下，以為傳家之寶，豈非子孫長久之計耶？」老和尚見說，滿心歡喜，卻才揩了眼淚道：「好，好，好，此計絕妙。」即便收拾槍刀。Let us gather a few strong men, take up spears and blades, break open the Chan hall, and kill them, burying their bodies in the back garden, so that only our own household would know of it, and then we would also seize his white horse and his luggage, but keep the cassock, to be handed down as a family treasure forever — would that not be a plan for the lasting benefit of our descendants?" When the old monk heard this, his heart was filled with joy, and only then did he wipe away his tears and say, "Good, good, good — this plan is utterly brilliant." And he at once set about gathering spears and blades.

內中又有一個小和尚，名喚廣謀，就是那廣智的師弟，上前來道：「此計不妙。Among them there was also a young monk named Guangmou, a junior fellow-disciple of Guangzhi, who came forward and said, "This plan is not good.若要殺他，須要看看動靜。If we are to kill him, we must first observe how things stand.那個白臉的似易，那個毛臉的似難，萬一殺他不得，卻不反招己禍？The one with the pale face seems easy enough, but the one with the hairy face seems difficult — what if we fail to kill him, and instead bring disaster upon ourselves?我有一個不動刀槍之法，不知你尊意如何？」老僧道：「我兒，你有何法？」廣謀道：「依小孫之見，如今喚聚東山大小房頭，每人要乾柴一束，捨了那三間禪堂，放起火來，教他欲走無門，連馬一火焚之。I have a method that requires neither spear nor blade — I wonder what you think of it?" The old monk said, "My child, what method do you have?" Guangmou said, "In my humble opinion, let us now summon all the monks of the eastern quarters, great and small, and have each bring a bundle of dry firewood, and sacrifice these three rooms of the Chan hall, setting them ablaze, so that they will have no way to escape, and the horse too will be burned along with them in the one fire.就是山前山後人家看見，只說是他自不小心，走了火，將我禪堂都燒了。Then even if the people living in front of and behind the mountain should see it, they would only say that he himself was careless and let the fire get away from him, burning down our whole Chan hall.那兩個和尚，卻不都燒死？And would not the two monks then surely be burned to death?又好掩人耳目。And this way we may also cover people's eyes and ears all the better.袈裟豈不是我們傳家之寶？」那些和尚聞言，無不歡喜，都道：「強，強，強，此計更妙，更妙。」遂教各房頭搬柴來。And would the cassock then not become our family's treasure to pass down forever?" When the monks heard this, there was not one who was not delighted, and all said, "Excellent, excellent, excellent — this plan is even better, even better." And so they had every chamber bring firewood.唉！Alas!這一計，正是：弄得個高壽老僧該命盡，觀音禪院化為塵。This very scheme was indeed: it brought the long-lived old monk to the end of his fated span, and turned Guanyin Chan Monastery to dust and ashes.原來他那寺裡有七八十個房頭，大小有二百餘眾。It turned out that in that monastery there were seventy or eighty chambers, with over two hundred monks in all, great and small.當夜一擁搬柴，把個禪堂前前後後，四面圍繞不通，安排放火不題。That night they all crowded together carrying firewood, and surrounded the Chan hall on every side, front and back, so that there was no way through, and prepared to set it afire — no more of that for now.

卻說三藏師徒安歇已定。To resume our tale: master and disciple had settled down to rest.那行者卻是個靈猴，雖然睡下，只是存神煉氣，朦朧著醒眼。But Wukong was a spirit-monkey, and though he had lain down, he only kept his spirit gathered and his breath cultivated, his eyes half-open in a drowsy state.忽聽得外面不住的人走，查查的柴響風生。Suddenly he heard, outside, the ceaseless tread of people walking, and the rustling crackle of firewood and the stirring of wind.他心疑惑道：「此時夜靜，如何有人行得腳步之聲？His heart grew suspicious, and he thought, "At this hour of deep night, how could there be the sound of footsteps?莫敢是賊盜，謀害我們的？」他就一骨魯跳起，欲要開門出看，又恐驚醒師父。Could it be thieves and bandits, scheming to harm us?" He at once sprang up with a leap, wishing to open the door and look outside, but feared to wake his master.你看他弄個精神，搖身一變，變做一個蜜蜂兒。Watch him now, summoning his powers — with a shake of his body he transformed himself into a bee.真個是：Indeed, it was thus:

只見那眾僧們搬柴運草，已圍住禪堂放火哩。He saw the monks carrying firewood and hauling straw, already surrounding the Chan hall to set it ablaze.行者暗笑道：「果依我師父之言，他要害我們性命，謀我的袈裟，故起這等毒心。Wukong laughed inwardly and thought, "Just as my master said — he means to take our lives and seize my cassock, and so has raised this venomous scheme.我待要拿棍打他啊，可憐又不禁打，一頓棍都打死了，師父又怪我行兇。I could take my cudgel and beat them, but pity is, they cannot withstand a blow, and one stroke of the cudgel would kill them all, and then my master would blame me for violence.罷，罷，罷，與他個順手牽羊，將計就計，教他住不成罷！」Well, well, well — I shall simply let it run its course and turn their own scheme against them, and make sure they cannot succeed in this!"

好行者，一觔斗跳上南天門裡。Wonderful Wukong — with a single somersault he leapt up into the Southern Gate of Heaven.諕得個龐、劉、苟、畢躬身，馬、趙、溫、關控背，俱道：「不好了，不好了！He so startled Pang, Liu, Gou, and Bi that they bowed low, and Ma, Zhao, Wen, and Guan bent their backs, all saying, "This is bad, this is bad!那鬧天宮的主子又來了。」行者搖著手道：「列位免禮，休驚。The one who wreaked havoc in Heaven has come again." Wukong waved his hand and said, "Gentlemen, spare the ceremony, don't be alarmed.我來尋廣目天王的。」說不了，卻遇天王早到，迎著行者道：「久闊，久闊。I have come looking for the Heavenly King Guangmu." Before he had finished speaking, the Heavenly King himself had already arrived, and greeted Wukong, saying, "It has been long, it has been long.前聞得觀音菩薩來見玉帝，借了四值功曹、六丁六甲並揭諦等，保護唐僧往西天取經去，說你與他做了徒弟，今日怎麼得閑到此？」行者道：「且休敘闊。I lately heard that the Bodhisattva Guanyin came to see the Jade Emperor, and borrowed the Four Duty Officers, the Six Dings and Six Jias, and the Guardians and such, to protect the Tang monk on his journey west to fetch the scriptures, and that you had become his disciple — how do you come to have leisure to be here today?" Wukong said, "Let us not dwell on old times for now.唐僧路遇歹人，放火燒他，事在萬分緊急，特來尋你借辟火罩兒，救他一救。The Tang monk has met with wicked men on the road, who are setting fire to burn him — the matter is extremely urgent, and I have come specially to borrow your fire-averting canopy, to save him.快些拿來使使，即刻返上。」天王道：「你差了。Bring it quickly for me to use, and I shall return it at once." The Heavenly King said, "You are mistaken.既是歹人放火，只該借水救他，如何要辟火罩？」行者道：「你那裡曉得就裡。If wicked men are setting a fire, you should only borrow water to save him — why would you want a fire-averting canopy?" Wukong said, "You do not understand the inner workings of this.借水救之，卻燒不起來，倒相應了他；If I borrow water to save him, the fire will fail to catch, and that would only play right into their hands;只是借此罩，護住了唐僧無傷，其餘管他，盡他燒去。but if I only borrow this canopy to shield the Tang monk from harm, the rest does not matter — let it all burn.快些，快些，此時恐已無及，莫誤了我下邊幹事。」那天王笑道：「這猴子還是這等起不善之心，只顧了自家，就不管別人。」行者道：「快著，快著，莫要調嘴，害了大事。」那天王不敢不借，遂將罩兒遞與行者。Quickly, quickly — I fear it may already be too late, and I must not delay my business down there." The Heavenly King laughed and said, "This monkey still harbors such unkind thoughts — thinking only of his own, and caring nothing for others." Wukong said, "Quick now, quick — don't waste words and ruin the great matter." The Heavenly King dared not refuse to lend it, and so handed the canopy over to Wukong.

行者拿了，按著雲頭，徑到禪堂房脊上，罩住了唐僧與白馬、行李。Wukong took it, brought down his cloud, and went straight to the ridge of the roof of the Chan hall, and covered Tripitaka, the white horse, and the luggage with it.他卻去那後面老和尚住的方丈房上頭坐著，保護那袈裟。He himself then went and sat atop the roof of the abbot's chamber at the rear where the old monk lived, to guard the cassock.看那些人放起火來，他轉捻訣念咒，望巽地上吸一口氣吹將去，一陣風起，把那火轉吹得烘烘亂發。Seeing those men set the fire going, he turned, formed a spell with his fingers, recited an incantation, and facing the southeast drew in a breath and blew it out; a gust of wind rose at once and blew the fire into a wild, roaring blaze.好火，好火！What a fire, what a fire!但見：Behold:

這正是星星之火，能燒萬頃之田。This was truly a single spark that could burn ten thousand acres of field.須臾間，風狂火盛，把一座觀音院，處處通紅。In an instant the wind raged and the fire roared, turning the whole Guanyin Monastery red from end to end.你看那眾和尚，搬箱擡籠，搶桌端鍋，滿院裡叫苦連天。Just look at the monks — carrying boxes, hauling baskets, snatching up tables, lugging pots, the whole courtyard ringing with cries of distress.孫行者護住了後邊方丈，辟火罩罩住了前面禪堂，其餘前後火光大發，真個是照天紅燄輝煌，透壁金光照耀。Sun Wukong shielded the abbot's chambers at the rear, and covered the meditation hall in front with the fire-avoiding cover; everywhere else, before and behind, the flames blazed up fiercely — truly the red flames lit the sky in splendor, and golden light shone through the walls.

不期火起之時，驚動了一山獸怪。Unexpectedly, the moment the fire started, it startled a beast-spirit of a certain mountain.這觀音院正南二十里遠近，有座黑風山，山中有一個黑風洞，洞中有一個妖精，正在睡醒翻身。Some twenty li due south of Guanyin Monastery there was a Black Wind Mountain, and on that mountain a Black Wind Cave, and in that cave a spirit-demon who was just then turning over as he woke from sleep.只見那窗間透亮，只道是天明。He saw brightness coming through the window and thought it was daybreak.起來看時，卻是正北下的火光晃亮。Rising to look, he found instead that it was firelight blazing away to the due north.妖精大驚道：「呀！The demon, greatly startled, said, 'Ah!這必是觀音院裡失了火。This must be a fire that has broken out at Guanyin Monastery.這些和尚好不小心。How very careless these monks are!我看時，與他救一救來。」好妖精，縱起雲頭，即至煙火之下，果然沖天之火，前面殿宇皆空，兩廊煙火方灼。Let me go and see, and help them put it out.' The fine demon sprang up onto a cloud and in a moment reached the smoke and flames below; sure enough, the fire soared skyward, the front halls were already gutted, and the two side corridors were just then ablaze with smoke and flame.他大拽步，撞將進去，正呼喚叫取水來，只見那後房無火，房脊上有一人放風。Taking great strides, he rushed straight in, and just as he was calling out for water to be brought, he saw that the rear rooms had no fire, and on the ridge of the roof there was a man fanning the wind.他卻情知如此，急入裡面看時，見那方丈中間有些霞光彩氣，臺案上有一個青氈包袱。Understanding at once how things stood, he hurried inside to look, and saw that in the middle of the abbot's chamber there was a glow of rosy light and colored vapor, and on the table there lay a bundle wrapped in blue felt.他解開一看，見是一領錦襴袈裟，乃佛門之異寶。He undid it to look, and found it was a brocade cassock, a rare treasure of the Buddhist faith.正是財動人心，他也不救火，他也不叫水，拿著那袈裟，趁鬨打劫，拽回雲步，徑轉東山而去。Indeed, wealth stirs the heart of man: he neither fought the fire nor called for water, but took the cassock, and using the confusion to plunder it, turned his cloud-steps about and headed straight back to the eastern mountain.

那場火只燒到五更天明，方才滅息。That fire burned on until the fifth watch, at dawn, before it finally went out.你看那眾僧們赤赤精精，啼啼哭哭，都去那灰內尋銅鐵，撥腐炭，撲金銀。Just look at the monks, stripped bare, weeping and wailing, all searching through the ashes for bronze and iron, poking through the charred coals, and groping for gold and silver.有的在牆筐裡，苫搭窩棚；Some, within the enclosure of the walls, thatched together makeshift huts;有的赤壁根頭，支鍋造飯。some, at the foot of the bare walls, set up pots to cook their food.叫冤叫屈，亂嚷亂鬧不題。They cried out their wrongs and their grievances, in a great clamor and confusion — but no more of that for now.

卻說行者取了辟火罩，一觔斗送上南天門，交與廣目天王道：「謝借，謝借。」天王收了道：「大聖至誠了。Now it tells how Xingzhe took up the fire-avoiding cover and with a single somersault carried it up to the Southern Gate of Heaven, handing it over to the Heavenly King Guangmu, saying, 'My thanks for the loan, my thanks for the loan.' The Heavenly King received it, saying, 'Great Sage, you are most conscientious.我正愁你不還我的寶貝，無處尋討，且喜就送來也。」行者道：「老孫可是那當面騙物之人？I was just worrying you would not return my treasure, and that I would have nowhere to seek it out — how pleasing that you have brought it back at once.' Xingzhe said, 'Am I, old Sun, the sort of man to cheat another to his face?這叫做『好借好還，再借不難』。」天王道：「許久不面，請到宮少坐一時，何如？」行者道：「老孫比在前不同，爛板凳，高談闊論了；This is what is called, "Borrow well and return well, and borrowing again will not be hard."' The Heavenly King said, 'It has been so long since we last met — will you not come sit a while in my palace?' Xingzhe said, 'Old Sun is not what he used to be, lounging on old benches and talking grandly at leisure;如今保唐僧，不得身閑。now that I am escorting Tang Seng, I have no leisure to spare.容敘，容敘。」急辭別墜雲，又見那太陽星上。Let us speak again another time, another time.' He hastily took his leave and dropped down on his cloud, and soon the sun star was already rising.徑來到禪堂前，搖身一變，變做個蜜蜂兒，飛將進去，現了本像看時，那師父還沉睡哩。He went straight to the front of the meditation hall, shook himself, and changed into a little bee, flying inside; resuming his true form to look, he found the master was still sound asleep.

行者叫道：「師父，天亮了，起來罷。」三藏才醒覺，翻身道：「正是。」穿了衣服，開門出來，忽擡頭，只見些倒壁紅牆，不見了樓臺殿宇。Xingzhe called out, 'Master, it is bright day — get up now.' Only then did Sanzang wake, turning over and saying, 'Indeed so.' He put on his clothes and opened the door to come out, and suddenly raising his head, he saw nothing but toppled walls and reddened ramparts, with no towers or halls to be seen.大驚道：「呀！Greatly startled, he said, 'Ah!怎麼這殿宇俱無，都是紅牆，何也？」行者道：「你還做夢哩，今夜走了火的。」三藏道：「我怎不知？」行者道：「是老孫護了禪堂，見師父濃睡，不曾驚動。」三藏道：「你有本事護了禪堂，如何就不救別房之火？」行者笑道：「好教師父得知：果然依你昨日之言，他愛上我們的袈裟，算計要燒殺我們。How is it that all the halls are gone, and everything is reddened walls — why is this?' Xingzhe said, 'You are still dreaming — there was a fire last night.' Sanzang said, 'How is it I knew nothing of it?' Xingzhe said, 'It was old Sun who guarded the meditation hall, and seeing Master sleeping deeply, did not disturb you.' Sanzang said, 'If you had the power to guard the meditation hall, why did you not also put out the fire in the other buildings?' Xingzhe said with a laugh, 'Let this be known to Master: indeed, just as you said yesterday, he coveted our cassock and plotted to burn us to death.若不是老孫知覺，到如今皆成灰骨矣。」三藏聞言，害怕道：「是他們放的火麼？」行者道：「不是他是誰？」三藏道：「莫不是怠慢了你，你幹的這個勾當？」行者道：「老孫是這等憊懶之人，幹這等不良之事？Had old Sun not been aware of it, by now we would both be ashes and bones.' Hearing this, Sanzang, frightened, said, 'Was it they who set the fire?' Xingzhe said, 'If not they, then who?' Sanzang said, 'Could it be that they slighted you somehow, and this is your own doing?' Xingzhe said, 'Is old Sun the sort of shiftless rascal who would do such a wicked thing?實實是他家放的。It was truly they who set the fire.老孫見他心毒，果是不曾與他救火，只是與他略略助些風的。」三藏道：「天那，天那！Seeing how venomous their hearts were, old Sun indeed did not help put out the fire — I only helped it along a little with some wind.' Sanzang said, 'Heavens, heavens!火起時，只該助水，怎轉助風？」行者道：「你可知古人云：『人沒傷虎心，虎沒傷人意。』他不弄火，我怎肯弄風？」三藏道：「袈裟何在？When a fire breaks out, one ought to help with water — how could you instead help with wind?' Xingzhe said, 'Do you not know the old saying: "If a man has no thought to harm the tiger, the tiger has no wish to harm the man"? Had he not stirred up fire, how would I have been willing to stir up wind?' Sanzang said, 'Where is the cassock now?敢莫是燒壞了也？」行者道：「沒事，沒事，燒不壞，那放袈裟的方丈無火。」三藏恨道：「我不管你，但是有些兒傷損，我只把那話兒念動念動，你就是死了。」行者慌了道：「師父莫念，莫念，管尋還你袈裟就是了。Could it be that it was burned and ruined?' Xingzhe said, 'No matter, no matter, it could not have burned — the abbot's chamber where the cassock lay had no fire in it.' Sanzang said angrily, 'I care nothing for your excuses — if it has been damaged in the least, I need only recite that spell a time or two, and you will be as good as dead.' Xingzhe, alarmed, said, 'Master, do not recite it, do not recite it — I will see to it that your cassock is returned to you, and that will be that.等我去拿來走路。」三藏才牽著馬，行者挑了擔，出了禪堂，徑往後方丈去。Let me go and fetch it, and then we shall be on our way.' Only then did Sanzang lead the horse, while Xingzhe shouldered the load, and together they left the meditation hall and went straight toward the rear abbot's chamber.

卻說那些和尚正悲切間，忽的看見他師徒牽馬挑擔而來，諕得一個個魂飛魄散道：「冤魂索命來了。」行者喝道：「甚麼冤魂索命？Now it tells how those monks, in the midst of their grieving, suddenly saw master and disciple coming with horse in tow and load on shoulder, and were so frightened that every one of them lost their souls in terror, saying, 'The wronged spirits have come to claim our lives!' Xingzhe shouted, 'What wronged spirits claiming lives?快還我袈裟來。」眾僧一齊跪倒，叩頭道：「爺爺呀！Quickly return my cassock to me!' The monks all fell to their knees together, kowtowing and saying, 'Oh, sirs!冤有冤家，債有債主。Every wrong has the one who wronged it, and every debt has the one who owes it.要索命不干我們事，都是廣謀與老和尚定計害你的，莫問我們討命。」行者咄的一聲道：「我把你這些該死的畜生，那個問你討甚麼命。If it is lives you seek, it is no affair of ours — it was Guangmou and the old monk together who plotted to harm you; do not seek our lives.' Xingzhe barked out, 'You wretched beasts who deserve death — who is asking you for your lives?只拿袈裟來還我走路！」其間有兩個膽量大的和尚道：「老爺，你們在禪堂裡已燒死了，如今又來討袈裟，端的還是人，是鬼？」行者笑道：「這夥孽畜，那裡有甚麼火來？Just bring me back the cassock so we can be on our way!' Among them, two monks bolder than the rest said, 'Sir, you were already burned to death in the meditation hall — now you come demanding the cassock. Are you truly a man, or are you a ghost?' Xingzhe laughed and said, 'You wretched, sinful creatures — where was there ever any fire?你去前面看看禪堂，再來說話。」眾僧們爬起來往前觀看，那禪堂外面的門窗槅扇，更不曾燎灼了半分。Go and look at the meditation hall out front, and then come speak with me.' The monks scrambled up and went to look, and found that the doors, windows, and lattice screens outside the meditation hall had not been scorched in the slightest.眾人悚懼，才認得三藏是種神僧，行者是尊護法。The whole crowd was struck with awe, and only then did they recognize that Sanzang was truly a sacred monk, and Xingzhe a revered protector of the Dharma.一齊上前叩頭道：「我等有眼無珠，不識真人下界。They all came forward together, kowtowing and saying, 'We had eyes but no pupils, and failed to recognize a true immortal descended into the world.你的袈裟在後面方丈中老師祖處哩。」三藏行過了三五層敗壁破牆，嗟嘆不已。Your cassock is in the rear abbot's chamber, with our venerable old master.' Sanzang passed through several layers of collapsed walls and broken ramparts, sighing without end.只見方丈果然無火，眾僧搶入裡面，叫道：「公公，唐僧乃是神人，未曾燒死，如今反害了自己家當。They saw that the abbot's chamber indeed had no fire in it; the monks rushed inside, calling out, 'Grandfather! Tang Seng is a sacred man and was not burned to death after all — instead we have destroyed our own household goods.趁早拿出袈裟，還他去也。」Bring out the cassock at once and give it back to him.'

原來這老和尚尋不見袈裟，又燒了本寺的房屋，正在萬分煩惱焦燥之處，一聞此言，怎敢答應。As it happened, this old monk, unable to find the cassock, and having burned down the monastery's own buildings besides, was in the depths of anguish and vexation, and on hearing these words, how could he dare answer?因尋思無計，進退無方，拽開步，躬著腰，往那牆上著實撞了一頭，可憐只撞得腦破血流魂魄散，咽喉氣斷染紅沙。Having no plan to turn to, and no way forward or back, he took a great step, bent his back, and dashed his head hard against the wall — poor man, the blow shattered his skull, blood flowed, his soul scattered, his breath was cut off in his throat, and he dyed the sand red.有詩為證。There is a poem as proof.詩曰：The poem says:

慌得個眾僧哭道：「師公已撞殺了，又不見袈裟，怎生是好？」行者道：「想是汝等盜藏起也。In their panic the monks wept and said, 'Our grand-master has dashed himself to death, and the cassock still cannot be found — whatever shall we do?' Xingzhe said, 'I suspect it is you lot who have stolen and hidden it.都出來，開具花名手本，等老孫逐一查點。」那上下房的院主，將本寺和尚、頭陀、幸童、道人盡行開具手本二張，大小人等共計二百三十名。All of you come out and draw up a full roster of names, and let old Sun check you off one by one.' The abbots in charge of the upper and lower quarters drew up two rosters listing every monk, ascetic, acolyte, and lay brother of the monastery, high and low together numbering two hundred and thirty persons.行者請師父高坐，他卻一一從頭唱名搜檢，都要解放衣襟，分明點過，更無袈裟。Xingzhe invited the master to sit up high, while he himself called out the names one by one from the top of the list and searched each man, making every one loosen his robe so he could check them clearly — but there was no cassock to be found.又將那各房頭搬搶出去的箱籠物件，從頭細細尋遍，那裡得有蹤跡。He then went through, from beginning to end, all the boxes, chests, and belongings that had been carried and snatched out of each room, searching every one carefully — but there was not a trace to be had.三藏心中煩惱，懊恨行者不盡，卻坐在上面念動那咒。Sanzang's heart was full of vexation, and his resentment toward Xingzhe was endless; sitting up above, he began to recite that spell.行者撲的跌倒在地，抱著頭，十分難禁，只教：「莫念，莫念，管尋還了袈裟。」那眾僧見了，一個個戰兢兢的，上前跪下勸解，三藏才合口不念。Xingzhe fell to the ground with a thud, clutching his head, unable to bear it, and could only cry, 'Do not recite it, do not recite it — I will see to it that the cassock is returned!' Seeing this, the monks, trembling one and all, came forward and knelt to plead for him, and only then did Sanzang close his mouth and stop reciting.行者一骨魯跳起來，耳朵裡掣出鐵棒，要打那些和尚，被三藏喝住道：「這猴頭，你頭痛還不怕，還要無禮？Xingzhe sprang up at once, pulled his iron rod from his ear, and was about to strike the monks, when Sanzang shouted to stop him, saying, 'You monkey-head! Are you not even afraid of your headache, that you would still behave so rudely?休動手，且莫傷人，再與我審問一問。」眾僧們磕頭禮拜，哀告三藏道：「老爺饒命。Do not raise your hand, do not harm anyone — question them again for me first.' The monks kowtowed and bowed in worship, pleading pitifully with Sanzang, 'Spare our lives, my lord.我等委實的不曾看見。We truly have not seen it.這都是那老死鬼的不是。This is all the fault of that dead old wretch.他昨晚看著你的袈裟，只哭到更深時候，看也不曾敢看，思量要圖長久，做個傳家之寶，設計定策，要燒殺老爺。Last night, gazing upon your cassock, he wept on until deep in the night, not even daring to look at it directly, thinking to keep it forever as a treasure to hand down in the family, and so he devised his scheme, plotting to burn you to death, my lord.自火起之候，狂風大作，各人只顧救火，搬搶物件，更不知袈裟去向。」From the moment the fire broke out, a wild wind arose, and everyone was busy only with fighting the fire and carrying out belongings — none of us knows where the cassock has gone.

行者大怒，走進方丈屋裡，把那觸死鬼屍首擡出，選剝了細看，渾身更無那件寶貝。Xingzhe, greatly enraged, went into the abbot's chamber, had the corpse of that wretch who had dashed himself to death carried out, stripped it, and examined it closely — but on the whole body there was no sign of that treasure.就把個方丈掘地三尺，也無蹤影。He then dug down three feet into the floor of the abbot's chamber itself, but still there was not a trace to be found.行者忖量半晌，問道：「你這裡可有甚麼妖怪成精麼？」院主道：「老爺不問，莫想得知。Xingzhe pondered a good while, then asked, 'Is there any demon or spirit hereabouts that has become a monster?' The abbot said, 'Had you not asked, my lord, we would never have thought to mention it.我這裡正東南有座黑風山，黑風洞內有一個黑大王，我這老死鬼常與他講道，他便是個妖精。Due southeast of here there is a Black Wind Mountain, and within the Black Wind Cave there is a Great King Black, with whom our late old master often discoursed on the Way — he is in fact a spirit-demon.別無甚物。」行者道：「那山離此有多遠近？」院主道：「只有二十里，那望見山頭的就是。」行者笑道：「師父放心，不須講了，一定是那黑怪偷去無疑。」三藏道：「他那廂離此有二十里，如何就斷得是他？」行者道：「你不曾見夜間那火，光騰萬里，亮透三天，且休說二十里，就是二百里也照見了。There is nothing else out of the ordinary.' Xingzhe said, 'How far from here is that mountain?' The abbot said, 'Only twenty li — that peak you can see over there is it.' Xingzhe said with a laugh, 'Set your mind at ease, Master, there is no need to say more — it must certainly be that black demon who stole it, beyond doubt.' Sanzang said, 'That place is twenty li from here — how can you be so certain it was he?' Xingzhe said, 'You did not see how that fire in the night sent its light soaring ten thousand li, its glow piercing the three heavens — never mind twenty li, even two hundred li away it would have been seen shining.坐定是他見火光焜耀，趁著機會，暗暗的來到這裡，看見我們袈裟是件寶貝，必然趁鬨擄去也。It is certain that he saw the blazing firelight, seized the chance, and came here secretly, and seeing that our cassock was a treasure, must have made off with it in the confusion.等老孫去尋他一尋。」三藏道：「你去了時，我卻何倚？」行者道：「這個放心，暗中自有神靈保護，明中等我叫那些和尚伏侍。」即喚眾和尚過來，道：「汝等著幾個去埋那老鬼；Let old Sun go and seek him out.' Sanzang said, 'When you have gone, on whom shall I rely?' Xingzhe said, 'Set your mind at ease on that — in the unseen there are spirits to protect you, and in the seen I will have these monks wait upon you.' He then called the monks over and said, 'Let some of you go bury that old wretch;著幾個伏侍我師父，看守我白馬。」眾僧領諾。let some of you wait upon my master and watch over my white horse.' The monks all assented.行者又道：「汝等莫順口兒答應，等我去了，你就不來奉承。Xingzhe went on, 'Do not simply agree with empty words, and then once I am gone fail to attend to him properly.看師父的，要怡顏悅色；Those watching over the master must keep a pleasant and cheerful countenance;養白馬的，要水草調勻。those tending the white horse must see that water and fodder are properly measured.假有一毫兒差了，照依這個樣棍，與你們看看。」他掣出棍子，照那火燒的磚牆上，撲的一下，把那牆打得粉碎，又震倒了有七八層牆。If there is the slightest fault, this rod here will show you what happens.' He drew out his rod and, with a single blow upon the fire-scorched brick wall, smashed it to powder, and the shock brought down seven or eight more courses of wall besides.眾僧見了，個個骨軟身麻，跪著磕頭滴淚道：「爺爺寬心前去，我等竭力虔心，供奉老爺，決不敢一毫怠慢。」Seeing this, the monks all went weak in the bones and numb all over, and knelt kowtowing with tears falling, saying, 'Go with an easy mind, sir — we will serve and attend upon our master with all our strength and utmost devotion, and dare not be the least bit remiss.'

好行者，急縱觔斗雲，徑上黑風山，尋找這袈裟。The fine Xingzhe at once sprang onto his somersault cloud and headed straight for Black Wind Mountain to search for the cassock.正是那：Truly it was:

畢竟此去不知袈裟有無，吉凶如何，且聽下回分解。What became of this journey, whether the cassock was found or not, and whether fortune proved good or ill, is not yet known — listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

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What it’s about

At Guanyin Monastery, the aged Elder Jinchi displays a lifetime's collection of luxurious robes. Wukong boasts of Tripitaka's miraculous cassock, and Jinchi's admiration becomes a plan to burn the visitors alive and keep it. Wukong protects his master with a heavenly fire cover but fans the flames elsewhere, letting the monastery burn.

During the fire a Black Bear monster steals the cassock. Jinchi kills himself when possession and reputation collapse together, while Wukong pursues the thief to Black Wind Mountain and discovers learned monsters preparing a birthday gathering. The sacred garment has exposed greed inside a monastery and vindictiveness in its supposed protector.

When it was written 背景

This episode redirects danger from obvious demonic appetite to monastic attachment. The cassock matters because Guanyin bestowed it and because viewers compete to value it, making display itself a trial. Garment catalogues can be elaborate, but learners can follow the fire's spread from planned murder through Wukong's retaliation to opportunistic theft.

Words in this chapter 生词

袈jiā袈jiā — used in 袈裟 (jiā shā)
裟shā裟shā — used in 袈裟 (jiā shā)
僧sēng僧sēng — (bound form) Buddhist monk (abbr. for 僧伽 (sēng qié))
禪chán禪chán — dhyana (Sanskrit) · Zen · meditation (Buddhism)
寺sìHSK 6寺sì — Buddhist temple · mosque · government office (old) (HSK 6)
眾zhòng眾zhòng — (bound form) crowd; multitude · (bound form) many; numerous
諕háo諕háo — to intimidate
尚shàngHSK 7-9尚shàng — still · yet · to value · to esteem (HSK 7-9)
孫sūn孫sūn — grandson · descendant
裡lǐHSK 1裡lǐ — lining · interior · inside · internal · also written 裏 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
叩kòu叩kòu — to knock · to kowtow
拽zhuāiHSK 7-9拽zhuāi — to throw · to fling (HSK 7-9)