第099回 The Eighty-First Ordeal at the River and the Drying of the Scriptures

第099回Chapter 99

話表八金剛既送唐僧回國不題。The story tells that after the Eight Vajra Guardians had escorted Tang Seng back to his own country, of that we shall speak no more.那三層門下，有五方揭諦、四值功曹、六丁六甲、護教伽藍，走向觀音菩薩前啟道：「弟子等向蒙菩薩法旨，暗中保護聖僧，今日聖僧行滿，菩薩繳了佛祖金旨，我等望菩薩准繳法旨。」菩薩亦甚喜道：「准繳，准繳。」又問道：「那唐僧四眾，一路上心行何如？」諸神道：「委實心虔志誠，料不能逃菩薩洞察。Beneath the third gate stood the Jiedi of the Five Directions, the Four Duty Officers, the Six Dings and Six Jias, and the Guardian of the Faith, the Sangharama; they went before Bodhisattva Guanyin and reported: 'Disciples, we were formerly charged by the Bodhisattva's decree to protect the holy monk in secret; today the holy monk's pilgrimage is complete, and the Bodhisattva has returned the Buddha's golden edict — we beg the Bodhisattva to accept the return of our own decree of duty.' The Bodhisattva too was greatly pleased and said: 'Granted, granted.' She then asked: 'How did the conduct of Tang Seng and his three companions fare along the way?' The various spirits replied: 'Truly their hearts were devout and their wills sincere — we dare say nothing escaped the Bodhisattva's own clear sight.'但只是唐僧受過之苦，真不可言。It is only that the sufferings Tang Seng endured are truly beyond words.他一路上歷過的災愆患難，弟子已謹記在此，這就是他災難的簿子。」菩薩從頭看了一遍，上寫著：All the calamities and hardships he passed through on the road, we disciples have carefully recorded here — this is the register of his tribulations.' The Bodhisattva looked it over from beginning to end; on it was written:

话表八金刚既送唐僧回国不题。那三层门下，有五方揭谛、四值功曹、六丁六甲、护教伽蓝，走向观音菩萨前启道：「弟子等向蒙菩萨法旨，暗中保护圣僧，今日圣僧行满，菩萨缴了佛祖金旨，我等望菩萨准缴法旨。」菩萨亦甚喜道：「准缴，准缴。」又问道：「那唐僧四众，一路上心行何如？」诸神道：「委实心虔志诚，料不能逃菩萨洞察。但只是唐僧受过之苦，真不可言。他一路上历过的灾愆患难，弟子已谨记在此，这就是他灾难的簿子。」菩萨从头看了一遍，上写著：

菩薩將難簿目過了一遍，急傳聲道：「佛門中九九歸真。The Bodhisattva went over the register of tribulations once, then urgently said: 'In the gate of Buddhism, nine times nine must return to the true.'聖僧受過八十難，還少一難，不得完成此數。」即命揭諦：「趕上金剛，還生一難者。」'The holy monk has suffered eighty tribulations, but is still one short, and cannot complete the full number.' She at once ordered the Jiedi: 'Catch up with the Vajra Guardians, and let one more tribulation be born for him.'

菩萨将难簿目过了一遍，急传声道：「佛门中九九归真。圣僧受过八十难，还少一难，不得完成此数。」即命揭谛：「赶上金刚，还生一难者。」

這揭諦得令，飛雲一駕向東來，一晝夜趕上八大金剛，附耳低言道：「……This Jiedi, having received the order, mounted a flying cloud and sped eastward; within a day and a night he caught up with the Eight Great Vajra Guardians, and whispered close to their ears: '......如此如此，謹遵菩薩法旨，不得違誤。」八金剛聞得此言，刷的把風按下，將他四眾連馬與經墜落下地。'Do thus and so, and reverently obey the Bodhisattva's decree — let there be no delay or error.' When the Eight Vajra Guardians heard these words, they at once let the wind drop, and the four of them together with the horse and the scriptures fell tumbling down to the earth.噫！Alas!正是那：Truly it was thus:

这揭谛得令，飞云一驾向东来，一昼夜赶上八大金刚，附耳低言道：「……如此如此，谨遵菩萨法旨，不得违误。」八金刚闻得此言，刷的把风按下，将他四众连马与经坠落下地。噫！正是那：

三藏腳踏了凡地，自覺心驚。Sanzang's feet touched the mortal ground, and he felt his heart give a start.八戒呵呵大笑道：「好好好，這正是要快得遲。」沙僧道：「好好好，因是我們走快了些兒，教我們在此歇歇哩。」大聖道：「俗語云：『十日灘頭坐，一日行九灘。』」三藏道：「你三個且休鬥嘴，認認方向，看這是甚麼地方？」沙僧轉頭四望道：「是這裡，是這裡。Bajie laughed loudly, ho-ho: 'Good, good, good — this is a case of "haste makes for delay."' Sha Seng said: 'Good, good, good — it's because we were going a bit too fast, so we're made to rest here a while.' The Great Sage said: 'As the common saying goes: "Ten days sitting at the river shoal, one day covering nine shoals."' Sanzang said: 'You three, stop your bickering, and get your bearings — see what place this is.'師父，你聽聽水響。」行者道：「水響想是你的祖家了。」八戒道：「他祖家乃流沙河。」沙僧道：「不是，不是，此通天河也。」三藏道：「徒弟啊，仔細看在那岸？」行者縱身跳起，用手搭涼篷，仔細看了，下來道：「師父，此是通天河西岸。」三藏道：「我記起來了。Sha Seng turned his head to look about on all sides and said: 'It's here, it's here. Master, listen to the sound of the water.' Xingzhe said: 'The sound of water — that must be your old ancestral home.' Bajie said: 'His ancestral home is the Flowing Sands River.' Sha Seng said: 'No, no, this is the River That Reaches Heaven.' Sanzang said: 'Disciples, look carefully — which shore is it?' Xingzhe leapt up into the air, shaded his eyes with his hand, looked carefully, and came down saying: 'Master, this is the western shore of the River That Reaches Heaven.' Sanzang said: 'Now I remember.東岸邊原有個陳家莊。On the eastern shore there was once Chen Family Village.那年到此，虧你救了他兒女，深感我們，要造船相送，幸白黿伏渡。That year when we arrived there, we were fortunate that you saved his son and daughter, and out of deep gratitude to us they wished to build a boat to see us across — luckily the white turtle came and carried us over instead.我記得西岸上四無人煙，這番如何是好？」八戒道：「只說凡人會作弊，原來這佛面前的金剛也會作弊。I recall that on the western shore there was no human habitation for miles around — what shall we do this time?' Bajie said: 'They say mortal men know how to play tricks, but it turns out that even these Vajra Guardians before the Buddha's own face know how to play tricks too.'他奉佛旨，教送我們東回，怎麼到此半路上就丟下我們？'They received the Buddha's decree to escort us back east — how could they abandon us halfway on the road?'如今豈不進退兩難？'Are we not now caught in a plight where we can neither advance nor retreat?'怎生過去？」沙僧道：「二哥休報怨。'How are we to get across?' Sha Seng said: 'Second Brother, stop complaining.'我的師父已得了道，前在凌雲渡已脫了凡胎，今番斷不落水。'Our master has already attained the Way; earlier at Lingyun Ferry he already shed his mortal frame — this time he surely will not fall into the water.'教師兄同你我都作起攝法，把師父駕過去也。」行者頻頻的暗笑道：「駕不去，駕不去。」你看他怎麼就說個駕不去？'Let Elder Brother, you, and I all perform the technique of levitation, and bear the master across.' Xingzhe kept quietly laughing to himself: 'Can't carry him across, can't carry him across.' Just see now — why should he say it can't be done?若肯使出神通，說破飛昇之奧妙，師徒們就一千個河也過去了。If he had been willing to display his divine powers and reveal the secret mystery of flying through the air, then master and disciples could have crossed a thousand rivers just the same.只因心裡明白，知道唐僧九九之數未完，還該有一難，故羈留於此。It was only because in his heart he understood clearly that Tang Seng's number of nine-times-nine tribulations was not yet complete, that one more ordeal was still due him, and so he purposely detained them here.

三藏脚踏了凡地，自觉心惊。八戒呵呵大笑道：「好好好，这正是要快得迟。」沙僧道：「好好好，因是我们走快了些儿，教我们在此歇歇哩。」大圣道：「俗语云：『十日滩头坐，一日行九滩。』」三藏道：「你三个且休斗嘴，认认方向，看这是甚么地方？」沙僧转头四望道：「是这里，是这里。师父，你听听水响。」行者道：「水响想是你的祖家了。」八戒道：「他祖家乃流沙河。」沙僧道：「不是，不是，此通天河也。」三藏道：「徒弟啊，仔细看在那岸？」行者纵身跳起，用手搭凉篷，仔细看了，下来道：「师父，此是通天河西岸。」三藏道：「我记起来了。东岸边原有个陈家庄。那年到此，亏你救了他儿女，深感我们，要造船相送，幸白鼋伏渡。我记得西岸上四无人烟，这番如何是好？」八戒道：「只说凡人会作弊，原来这佛面前的金刚也会作弊。他奉佛旨，教送我们东回，怎么到此半路上就丢下我们？如今岂不进退两难？怎生过去？」沙僧道：「二哥休报怨。我的师父已得了道，前在凌云渡已脱了凡胎，今番断不落水。教师兄同你我都作起摄法，把师父驾过去也。」行者频频的暗笑道：「驾不去，驾不去。」你看他怎么就说个驾不去？若肯使出神通，说破飞升之奥妙，师徒们就一千个河也过去了。只因心里明白，知道唐僧九九之数未完，还该有一难，故羁留于此。

師徒們口裡紛紛的講，足下徐徐的行，直至水邊。Master and disciples, talking on and on among themselves, walked slowly on foot until they reached the water's edge.忽聽得有人叫道：「唐聖僧，唐聖僧，這裡來，這裡來。」四眾皆驚。Suddenly they heard someone calling out: 'Holy Monk Tang, Holy Monk Tang, come this way, come this way!' The four of them were all startled.舉頭觀看，四無人跡，又沒舟船，卻是一個大白賴頭黿在岸邊探著頭叫道：「老師父，我等了你這幾年，卻才回也？」行者笑道：「老黿，向年累你，今歲又得相逢。」三藏與八戒、沙僧都歡喜不盡。Raising their heads to look, there was no trace of any person on any side, nor was there any boat — it was instead a great white bald-headed soft-shell turtle by the shore, stretching out its head and calling: 'Old Master, I have waited for you these several years — have you only now returned?' Xingzhe laughed and said: 'Old Turtle, we troubled you in years past, and this year we meet again.' Sanzang, together with Bajie and Sha Seng, were all overjoyed beyond measure.行者道：「老黿，你果有接待之心，可上岸來。」那黿即縱身爬上河來。Xingzhe said: 'Old Turtle, if you truly mean to receive us, then come up onto the bank.' The turtle at once leapt up and crawled up out of the river.行者叫把馬牽上他身，八戒還蹲在馬尾之後，唐僧站在馬頸左邊，沙僧站在右邊。Xingzhe called for the horse to be led up onto its back; Bajie crouched behind the horse's tail, Tang Seng stood to the left of the horse's neck, and Sha Seng stood to the right.行者一腳踏著老黿的項，一腳踏著老黿的頭叫道：「老黿，好生走穩著。」那老黿蹬開四足，踏水面如行平地，將他師徒四眾，連馬五口，馱在身上，徑回東岸而來。Xingzhe planted one foot on the old turtle's neck and the other on its head, and called: 'Old Turtle, mind you walk steady now.' The old turtle spread its four feet and trod upon the water's surface as though walking on level ground, bearing master and disciples, four people and the horse, five in all, upon its back, and made straight for the eastern shore.誠所謂：Truly it may be said:

师徒们口里纷纷的讲，足下徐徐的行，直至水边。忽听得有人叫道：「唐圣僧，唐圣僧，这里来，这里来。」四众皆惊。举头观看，四无人迹，又没舟船，却是一个大白赖头鼋在岸边探著头叫道：「老师父，我等了你这几年，却才回也？」行者笑道：「老鼋，向年累你，今岁又得相逢。」三藏与八戒、沙僧都欢喜不尽。行者道：「老鼋，你果有接待之心，可上岸来。」那鼋即纵身爬上河来。行者叫把马牵上他身，八戒还蹲在马尾之后，唐僧站在马颈左边，沙僧站在右边。行者一脚踏著老鼋的项，一脚踏著老鼋的头叫道：「老鼋，好生走稳著。」那老鼋蹬开四足，踏水面如行平地，将他师徒四众，连马五口，驮在身上，径回东岸而来。诚所谓：

老黿馱著他們，屣波踏浪，行經多半日，將次天晚，好近東岸，忽然問曰：「老師父，我向年曾央到西方見我佛如來，與我問聲歸著之事，還有多少年壽，果曾問否？」原來那長老自到西天玉真觀沐浴，凌雲渡脫胎，步上靈山，專心拜佛，及參諸佛菩薩聖僧等眾，意念只在取經，他事一毫不理，所以不曾問得老黿年壽，無言可答。The old turtle bore them on, treading the waves and skimming the ripples, and had gone more than half a day; as day was about to turn to evening, and they were drawing close to the eastern shore, it suddenly asked: 'Old Master, in years past I begged you, once you reached the Western Region and saw our Buddha Tathagata, to ask on my behalf about my own final disposition — how many more years of life I might have — did you in fact ask this?' It happened that ever since the elder had bathed at the Yuzhen Temple in the Western Heaven, shed his mortal frame at Lingyun Ferry, and climbed up to Vulture Peak, he had given his whole mind to worshipping the Buddha, and in paying homage to the various Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and holy monks, his thoughts had been fixed solely on obtaining the scriptures, giving not the least attention to any other matter — and so he had never asked about the old turtle's years of life, and now had no words with which to answer.卻又不敢欺，打誑語，沉吟半晌，不曾答應。Yet he dared not deceive it with a lying word, and so he pondered in silence for a long while without answering.老黿即知不曾替他問了，就將身一幌，唿喇的淬下水去，把他四眾連馬并經，通皆落水。The old turtle at once knew that its request had not been made on its behalf, and with a shake of its body, went plunging down into the water with a splash, so that the four of them, together with the horse and the scriptures, all fell into the water.咦！Ai!還喜得唐僧脫了胎，成了道；Fortunately, Tang Seng had already shed his mortal frame and attained the Way;若似前番，已經沉底。had it been as in times before, he would surely have already sunk to the bottom.又幸白馬是龍，八戒、沙僧會水，行者笑微微顯大神通，把唐僧扶駕出水，登彼東岸。And fortunately too, the white horse was a dragon, and Bajie and Sha Seng both knew how to swim, while Xingzhe, smiling faintly, displayed his great magic powers and supported Tang Seng, bringing him up out of the water and onto the eastern shore.只是經包、衣服、鞍轡俱濕了。Only the bundles of scriptures, their clothes, and the saddle and bridle were all soaked through.

老鼋驮著他们，屣波踏浪，行经多半日，将次天晚，好近东岸，忽然问曰：「老师父，我向年曾央到西方见我佛如来，与我问声归著之事，还有多少年寿，果曾问否？」原来那长老自到西天玉真观沐浴，凌云渡脱胎，步上灵山，专心拜佛，及参诸佛菩萨圣僧等众，意念只在取经，他事一毫不理，所以不曾问得老鼋年寿，无言可答。却又不敢欺，打诳语，沉吟半晌，不曾答应。老鼋即知不曾替他问了，就将身一幌，唿喇的淬下水去，把他四众连马并经，通皆落水。咦！还喜得唐僧脱了胎，成了道；若似前番，已经沉底。又幸白马是龙，八戒、沙僧会水，行者笑微微显大神通，把唐僧扶驾出水，登彼东岸。只是经包、衣服、鞍辔俱湿了。

師徒方登岸整理，忽又一陣狂風，天色昏暗，雷閃並作，走石飛沙。Master and disciples had just climbed onto the shore and begun to set things in order when suddenly another fierce wind arose; the sky turned dark, thunder and lightning broke out together, and rocks rolled and sand flew.但見那：One could only see:

师徒方登岸整理，忽又一阵狂风，天色昏暗，雷闪并作，走石飞沙。但见那：

諕得那三藏按住了經包，沙僧壓住了經擔，八戒牽住了白馬；Sanzang, terrified, pressed down on the scripture bundle; Sha Seng held down the scripture carrying-pole; Bajie held fast to the white horse;行者卻雙手輪起鐵棒，左右護持。while Xingzhe, with both hands, whirled up his iron rod, guarding them on left and right.原來那風、霧、雷、熌，乃是些陰魔作號，欲奪所取之經。It turned out that the wind, fog, thunder, and lightning were all the doing of dark demons raising a signal, wishing to seize the scriptures they had obtained.勞攘了一夜，直到天明，卻才止息。They struggled through the disturbance the whole night, and only at dawn did it finally cease.長老一身水衣，戰兢兢的道：「悟空，這是怎的起？」行者氣呼呼的道：「師父，你不知就裡。The elder, his clothes soaked through, said trembling: 'Wukong, how did this come about?' Xingzhe, panting with anger, said: 'Master, you do not know the reason behind it.'我等保護你取獲此經，乃是奪天地造化之功，可以與乾坤並久，日月同明，壽享長春，法身不朽。'In protecting you to obtain these scriptures, we have seized the very achievement of Heaven and Earth's own creative power — a thing that may endure as long as Heaven and Earth themselves, shine as bright as sun and moon, grant life everlasting like unfading spring, and a Dharma-body that never decays.'此所以為天地不容，鬼神所忌，欲來暗奪之耳。'This is precisely why Heaven and Earth cannot tolerate it, and ghosts and spirits begrudge it, and why they wished to come and seize it in secret.'一則這經是水濕透了；'In the first place, these scriptures were already soaked through with water;'二則是你的正法身壓住，雷不能轟，電不能照，霧不能迷；'in the second place, your own true Dharma-body was pressing them down, so the thunder could not strike them, the lightning could not illuminate them, and the fog could not bewilder them;'又是老孫輪著鐵棒，使純陽之性，護持住了；'and further, old Sun was whirling his iron rod, exerting the nature of pure yang, and so guarded and upheld them;'及至天明，陽氣又盛：所以不能奪去。」三藏、八戒、沙僧方才省悟，各謝不盡。'and by the time dawn came, the yang energy grew strong again — that is why they could not be carried off.' Only then did Sanzang, Bajie, and Sha Seng come to understand, and each thanked him without end.

諕得那三藏按住了经包，沙僧压住了经担，八戒牵住了白马；行者却双手轮起铁棒，左右护持。原来那风、雾、雷、熌，乃是些阴魔作号，欲夺所取之经。劳攘了一夜，直到天明，却才止息。长老一身水衣，战兢兢的道：「悟空，这是怎的起？」行者气呼呼的道：「师父，你不知就里。我等保护你取获此经，乃是夺天地造化之功，可以与干坤并久，日月同明，寿享长春，法身不朽。此所以为天地不容，鬼神所忌，欲来暗夺之耳。一则这经是水湿透了；二则是你的正法身压住，雷不能轰，电不能照，雾不能迷；又是老孙轮著铁棒，使纯阳之性，护持住了；及至天明，阳气又盛：所以不能夺去。」三藏、八戒、沙僧方才省悟，各谢不尽。

少頃，太陽高照。After a little while, the sun rose high and shone brightly.卻移經於高崖上，開包曬晾。So they moved the scriptures up onto a high cliff, opened the bundles, and spread them out to dry in the sun.至今彼處曬經之石尚存。To this day, the rock on which the scriptures were dried still remains there.他們又將衣鞋都曬在崖傍，立的立，坐的坐，跳的跳。They also spread their clothes and shoes to dry beside the cliff, and among them some stood, some sat, and some hopped about.真個是：Truly it was:

少顷，太阳高照。却移经于高崖上，开包晒晾。至今彼处晒经之石尚存。他们又将衣鞋都晒在崖傍，立的立，坐的坐，跳的跳。真个是：

他四眾檢看經本，一一曬晾，早見幾個打魚人來到河邊，擡頭看見。The four of them were inspecting the scripture volumes and drying them out one by one, when presently they saw several fishermen come to the riverside, who raised their heads and caught sight of them.內有認得的道：「老師父可是前年過此河往西天取經的？」八戒道：「正是，正是。Among them was one who recognized them and said: 'Old Master, are you not the one who crossed this river the year before last, going to the Western Heaven to fetch scriptures?' Bajie said: 'Yes indeed, yes indeed.'你是那裡人？'Where are you people from?'怎麼認得我們？」漁人道：「我們是陳家莊上人。」八戒道：「陳家莊離此有多遠？」漁人道：「過此衝南有二十里就是也。」八戒道：「師父，我們把經搬到陳家莊上曬去，他那裡有住有坐，又有得吃，就教他家與我們漿漿衣服，卻不是好？」三藏道：「不去罷，在此曬乾了，就收拾找路回也。」'How is it you recognize us?' The fisherman said: 'We are people of Chen Family Village.' Bajie said: 'How far is Chen Family Village from here?' The fisherman said: 'Go past this inlet to the south twenty li, and you are there.' Bajie said: 'Master, why don't we carry the scriptures to Chen Family Village to dry them — there we would have a place to lodge and sit, and food to eat besides, and we could even have his household wash and starch our clothes for us — would that not be good?' Sanzang said: 'Let us not go. Once they are dried here, we shall pack up and find our way back.'

他四众检看经本，一一晒晾，早见几个打鱼人来到河边，抬头看见。内有认得的道：「老师父可是前年过此河往西天取经的？」八戒道：「正是，正是。你是那里人？怎么认得我们？」渔人道：「我们是陈家庄上人。」八戒道：「陈家庄离此有多远？」渔人道：「过此冲南有二十里就是也。」八戒道：「师父，我们把经搬到陈家庄上晒去，他那里有住有坐，又有得吃，就教他家与我们浆浆衣服，却不是好？」三藏道：「不去罢，在此晒干了，就收拾找路回也。」

那幾個漁人行過南衝，恰遇著陳澄，叫道：「二老官，前年在你家替祭兒子的師父回來了。」陳澄道：「你在那裡看見？」漁人回指道：「都在那石上曬經哩。」陳澄隨帶了幾個佃戶，走過衝來望見，跑近前跪下道：「老爺取經回來，功成行滿，怎麼不到舍下，卻在這裡盤弄？Those several fishermen walked past the southern inlet and happened to meet Chen Cheng, and called out: 'Second Elder, the master who two years ago took the place of the sacrifice for your son has come back!' Chen Cheng said: 'Where did you see him?' The fisherman pointed back and said: 'They are all drying scriptures on that rock over there.' Chen Cheng at once brought several tenant farmers with him, walked past the inlet, and caught sight of them; he ran up close and knelt down, saying: 'My lord, you have returned from fetching the scriptures, your merit accomplished and your task complete — why did you not come to my humble house, but instead busy yourselves here?'快請，快請到舍。」行者道：「等曬乾了經，和你去。」陳澄又問道：「老爺的經典、衣物，如何濕了？」三藏道：「昔年虧白黿馱渡河西，今年又蒙他馱渡河東。'Pray come quickly, quickly come to my house.' Xingzhe said: 'Once the scriptures are dry, we will go with you.' Chen Cheng then asked further: 'My lord, how did your scriptures and clothing come to be wet?' Sanzang said: 'In years past we were indebted to the white turtle for carrying us across the river to the west, and this year we were again favored by him carrying us across the river to the east.'已將近岸，被他問昔年託問佛祖壽年之事，我本未曾問得，他遂淬在水內，故此濕了。」又將前後事細說了一遍。'We were already near the shore when he asked about the matter he had entrusted to us in years past, to inquire of the Buddha about the span of his years — which I had, in truth, never asked — and so he plunged down into the water, and that is how these got wet.' And he related the whole affair, from beginning to end, once again in detail.那陳澄拜請甚懇，三藏無已，遂收拾經卷。Chen Cheng bowed and pressed his invitation most earnestly, and Sanzang, having no choice, thereupon gathered up the scripture scrolls.不期石上把《佛本行經》沾住了幾卷，遂將經尾沾破了。Unexpectedly, several scrolls of the Sutra of the Buddha's Past Deeds had stuck fast to the rock, and so the ends of the scrolls were torn as they were pulled free.所以至今《佛本行經》不全，曬經石上猶有字跡。That is why to this day the Sutra of the Buddha's Past Deeds is incomplete, and traces of characters can still be seen upon the scripture-drying rock.三藏懊悔道：「是我們怠慢了，不曾看顧得。」行者笑道：「不在此，不在此。Sanzang said with regret: 'It is our own negligence — we failed to watch over them properly.' Xingzhe laughed and said: 'It is not that, it is not that.'蓋天地不全，這經原是全全的，今沾破了，乃是應不全之奧妙也，豈人力所能與耶？」師徒們果收拾畢，同陳澄赴莊。'For Heaven and Earth themselves are not complete — these scriptures were originally whole and entire, but now that they are torn, this but fulfills the deep mystery of incompleteness. How could this be something human effort could have prevented?' Master and disciples, having indeed finished packing up, went together with Chen Cheng to the village.

那几个渔人行过南冲，恰遇著陈澄，叫道：「二老官，前年在你家替祭儿子的师父回来了。」陈澄道：「你在那里看见？」渔人回指道：「都在那石上晒经哩。」陈澄随带了几个佃户，走过冲来望见，跑近前跪下道：「老爷取经回来，功成行满，怎么不到舍下，却在这里盘弄？快请，快请到舍。」行者道：「等晒干了经，和你去。」陈澄又问道：「老爷的经典、衣物，如何湿了？」三藏道：「昔年亏白鼋驮渡河西，今年又蒙他驮渡河东。已将近岸，被他问昔年托问佛祖寿年之事，我本未曾问得，他遂淬在水内，故此湿了。」又将前后事细说了一遍。那陈澄拜请甚恳，三藏无已，遂收拾经卷。不期石上把《佛本行经》沾住了几卷，遂将经尾沾破了。所以至今《佛本行经》不全，晒经石上犹有字迹。三藏懊悔道：「是我们怠慢了，不曾看顾得。」行者笑道：「不在此，不在此。盖天地不全，这经原是全全的，今沾破了，乃是应不全之奥妙也，岂人力所能与耶？」师徒们果收拾毕，同陈澄赴庄。

那莊上人家，一個傳十，十個傳百，百個傳千，若老若幼，都來接看。Throughout the village, one told ten, ten told a hundred, a hundred told a thousand, and old and young alike all came out to meet and see them.陳清聞說，就擺香案在門前迎迓，又命鼓樂吹打。When Chen Qing heard the news, he at once set up an incense table before his gate to welcome them, and also ordered drums and music to be played.少頃到了，迎入。After a little while they arrived, and were welcomed inside.陳清領合家人眷，俱出來拜見，拜謝昔日救兒女之恩。Chen Qing, leading his whole household and family, all came out to pay their respects, bowing in thanks for the kindness of saving his children in years past.隨命看茶擺齋。He then ordered tea to be brought and a vegetarian feast to be laid out.三藏自受了佛祖的仙品、仙餚，又脫了凡胎成佛，全不思凡間之食。Ever since Sanzang had partaken of the Buddha's own immortal delicacies and immortal fare, and had moreover shed his mortal frame and become a Buddha, he no longer had any thought at all for the food of the mortal world.二老苦勸，沒奈何，略見他意。The two elders urged him earnestly, and having no other choice, he partook a little just to show his regard for their intent.孫大聖自來不吃煙火食，也道：「夠了。」沙僧也不甚吃。The Great Sage Sun, who had never eaten food cooked over fire, likewise said: 'That is enough.' Sha Seng also ate very little.八戒也不似前番，就放下碗。Even Bajie was not as he had been before, and soon set down his bowl.行者道：「獃子也不吃了？」八戒道：「不知怎麼，脾胃一時就弱了。」遂此收了齋筵，卻又問取經之事。Xingzhe said: 'Idiot, you're not eating any more either?' Bajie said: 'I don't know how it is, but my stomach has suddenly grown weak.' With that, the vegetarian feast was cleared away, and they went on to ask about the fetching of the scriptures.三藏又將先至玉真觀沐浴，凌雲渡身輕，及至雷音寺參如來，蒙珍樓賜宴，寶閣傳經，始被二尊者討人事未遂，故傳無字之經，後復拜告如來，始得授一藏之數，并白黿淬水，陰魔暗奪之事，細細陳了一遍，就欲拜別。Sanzang once more related in full detail everything from the start — bathing at the Yuzhen Temple, his body growing light at Lingyun Ferry, arriving at the Thunderclap Monastery to pay homage to the Tathagata, being granted a banquet at the Hall of Treasures and having the scriptures conferred at the Precious Pavilion, how at first the two Venerables, failing to obtain the customary gift, had given him wordless scriptures, how he had afterward again petitioned the Tathagata and only then been granted the full number of a Tripitaka, along with the matter of the white turtle plunging into the water and the dark demons' secret attempt to seize the scriptures — and then wished to take his leave.

那庄上人家，一个传十，十个传百，百个传千，若老若幼，都来接看。陈清闻说，就摆香案在门前迎迓，又命鼓乐吹打。少顷到了，迎入。陈清领合家人眷，俱出来拜见，拜谢昔日救儿女之恩。随命看茶摆斋。三藏自受了佛祖的仙品、仙肴，又脱了凡胎成佛，全不思凡间之食。二老苦劝，没奈何，略见他意。孙大圣自来不吃烟火食，也道：「够了。」沙僧也不甚吃。八戒也不似前番，就放下碗。行者道：「呆子也不吃了？」八戒道：「不知怎么，脾胃一时就弱了。」遂此收了斋筵，却又问取经之事。三藏又将先至玉真观沐浴，凌云渡身轻，及至雷音寺参如来，蒙珍楼赐宴，宝阁传经，始被二尊者讨人事未遂，故传无字之经，后复拜告如来，始得授一藏之数，并白鼋淬水，阴魔暗夺之事，细细陈了一遍，就欲拜别。

那二老舉家如何肯放，且道：「向蒙救拔兒女，深恩莫報。How could the two elders and their whole household be willing to let him go? They said further: 'We were formerly favored by your saving and delivering our children — so deep a kindness we can never repay.'已創建一座院宇，名之曰救生寺，專侍奉香火不絕。」又喚出原替祭之兒女陳關保、一秤金叩謝。'We have already built a monastery, naming it the Temple of Life-Saving, devoted solely to burning incense to you without cease.' And they called out the very children who had once been offered in the sacrifice, Chen Guanbao and Yichengjin, to kowtow their thanks.復請至寺觀看。They then invited them further to the temple to look around.三藏卻又將經包兒收在他家堂前，與他念了一卷《寶常經》。Sanzang, however, first had the scripture bundles set down before the hall of their house, and recited for them a scroll of the Sutra of Eternal Treasure.後至寺中，只見陳家又設饌在此。Afterward, when they reached the temple, they found that the Chen family had again laid out a feast there.還不曾坐下，又一起來請。They had not even sat down before another party came to invite them elsewhere.還不曾舉箸，又一起來請。They had not even lifted their chopsticks before yet another party came to invite them.絡繹不絕，爭不上手。Invitations came one after another without end, each family vying to be first.三藏俱不敢辭，略略見意。Sanzang dared not decline any of them, and at each merely partook a little to show his regard.只見那座寺果蓋得齊整：They saw that the temple had indeed been built in fine and orderly fashion:

那二老举家如何肯放，且道：「向蒙救拔儿女，深恩莫报。已创建一座院宇，名之曰救生寺，专侍奉香火不绝。」又唤出原替祭之儿女陈关保、一秤金叩谢。复请至寺观看。三藏却又将经包儿收在他家堂前，与他念了一卷《宝常经》。后至寺中，只见陈家又设馔在此。还不曾坐下，又一起来请。还不曾举箸，又一起来请。络绎不绝，争不上手。三藏俱不敢辞，略略见意。只见那座寺果盖得齐整：

三藏看畢，才上高樓。When Sanzang had finished viewing it, he then went up into the high tower.樓上果裝塑著他四眾之像。In the tower there had indeed been fashioned and set up statues of the four of them.八戒看見，扯著行者道：「兄長的相兒甚像。」沙僧道：「二哥，你的又像得緊，只是師父的又忒俊了些兒。」三藏道：「卻好，卻好。」遂下樓來。When Bajie saw them, he pulled at Xingzhe and said: 'Elder Brother's likeness is very true to life.' Sha Seng said: 'Second Brother, yours too is exceedingly lifelike — only the master's is made a bit too handsome.' Sanzang said: 'That is fine, that is fine.' And they then came down from the tower.下面前殿後廊，還有擺齋的候請。Below, in the front hall and the rear corridor, there were still more vegetarian feasts laid out, waiting to invite them.行者卻問：「向日大王廟兒如何了？」眾老道：「那廟當年拆了。Xingzhe then asked: 'What became of the shrine to the Great King of former days?' The elders said: 'That shrine was torn down that very year.'老爺，這寺自建立之後，年年成熟，歲歲豐登，卻是老爺之福庇。」行者笑道：「此天賜耳，與我們何與？'My lord, ever since this temple was built, every year the harvest has ripened and every year there has been abundance — this is entirely due to your lordship's blessing and protection.' Xingzhe laughed and said: 'This is a gift from Heaven — what has it to do with us?'但只我們自今去後，保你這一莊上人家子孫繁衍，六畜安生，年年風調雨順，歲歲雨順風調。」眾等卻叩頭拜謝。'But only this — from this day after we are gone, we shall see to it that the people of this whole village have their descendants multiply, that their six kinds of livestock live in peace, and that year after year the wind and rain be timely, season after season the rain and wind favorable.' Whereupon the assembled people kowtowed and bowed in thanks.

三藏看毕，才上高楼。楼上果装塑著他四众之像。八戒看见，扯著行者道：「兄长的相儿甚像。」沙僧道：「二哥，你的又像得紧，只是师父的又忒俊了些儿。」三藏道：「却好，却好。」遂下楼来。下面前殿后廊，还有摆斋的候请。行者却问：「向日大王庙儿如何了？」众老道：「那庙当年拆了。老爷，这寺自建立之后，年年成熟，岁岁丰登，却是老爷之福庇。」行者笑道：「此天赐耳，与我们何与？但只我们自今去后，保你这一庄上人家子孙繁衍，六畜安生，年年风调雨顺，岁岁雨顺风调。」众等却叩头拜谢。

只見那前前後後，更有獻果獻齋的無限人家。They saw that, both before and behind, there were besides countless households offering fruit and offering vegetarian food.八戒笑道：「我的蹭蹬。Bajie laughed and said: 'What rotten luck I've had.'那時節吃得，卻沒人家連請十請。'In those days when I could really eat, there was no household that invited me ten times running.'今日吃不得，卻一家不了，又是一家。」饒他氣滿，略動手，又吃夠八九盤素食；'Today, when I cannot eat any more, one household is not yet done before another comes along.' Yet for all that he was already full, once he set his hands to it again he still managed to eat his way through eight or nine more plates of vegetarian dishes;縱然胃傷，又吃了二三十個饅頭。and although his stomach ached, he still ate another twenty or thirty steamed buns.已皆盡飽，又有人家相邀。By now all of them were completely full, and yet still more households came to invite them.三藏道：「弟子何能，感蒙至愛。Sanzang said: 'What virtue have we disciples, to be so favored with such deep affection?'望今夕暫停，明早再領。」'We beg that for tonight the invitations be set aside for a while, and we shall accept them again tomorrow morning.'

只见那前前后后，更有献果献斋的无限人家。八戒笑道：「我的蹭蹬。那时节吃得，却没人家连请十请。今日吃不得，却一家不了，又是一家。」饶他气满，略动手，又吃够八九盘素食；纵然胃伤，又吃了二三十个馒头。已皆尽饱，又有人家相邀。三藏道：「弟子何能，感蒙至爱。望今夕暂停，明早再领。」

時已深夜。By now it was already deep in the night.三藏守定真經，不敢暫離，就於樓下打坐看守。Sanzang kept watch fixedly over the true scriptures, not daring to leave them even for a moment, and so sat in meditation beneath the tower, guarding them.將及三更，三藏悄悄的叫道：「悟空，這裡人家。As it drew close to the third watch, Sanzang called out quietly: 'Wukong, these people here...'識得我們道成事完了。'...know that we have attained the Way and completed our task.'自古道：『真人不露相，露相不真人。』恐為久淹，失了大事。」行者道：「師父說得有理。'As the old saying goes: "A true being does not reveal his true form; one who reveals his true form is no true being." I fear that if we linger here too long, we may lose sight of the great affair.' Xingzhe said: 'Master, what you say is reasonable.'我們趁此深夜，人家熟睡，寂寂的去了罷。」八戒卻也知覺，沙僧盡自分明，白馬也能會意。'Let us take advantage of this deep night, while the people are sound asleep, and slip quietly away.' Bajie too was well aware of this, Sha Seng understood it perfectly clearly, and even the white horse grasped the meaning.遂此起了身，輕輕的擡上馱垛，挑著擔，從廡廊馱出，到於山門，只見門上有鎖。So they rose up at once; quietly they lifted the packs onto the horse, shouldered the carrying-pole, and bore them out through the side corridor, until they reached the mountain gate — only to find the gate locked.行者又使個解鎖法，開了二門、大門，找路望東而去。Xingzhe again used a lock-opening technique, opened the inner gate and the great gate, and set off, seeking the road eastward.只聽得半空中有八大金剛叫道：「逃走的，跟我來。」那長老聞得香風蕩蕩，起在空中。Then, from midair, they heard the Eight Great Vajra Guardians call out: 'You who are fleeing, follow me!' The elder felt a fragrant wind sweeping about him, and rose up into the air.這正是：This was just as:

时已深夜。三藏守定真经，不敢暂离，就于楼下打坐看守。将及三更，三藏悄悄的叫道：「悟空，这里人家。识得我们道成事完了。自古道：『真人不露相，露相不真人。』恐为久淹，失了大事。」行者道：「师父说得有理。我们趁此深夜，人家熟睡，寂寂的去了罢。」八戒却也知觉，沙僧尽自分明，白马也能会意。遂此起了身，轻轻的抬上驮垛，挑著担，从庑廊驮出，到于山门，只见门上有锁。行者又使个解锁法，开了二门、大门，找路望东而去。只听得半空中有八大金刚叫道：「逃走的，跟我来。」那长老闻得香风荡荡，起在空中。这正是：

畢竟不知怎生見那唐王，且聽下回分解。In the end, we do not know how they were to see the Tang emperor — pray listen to the explanation given in the next chapter.

毕竟不知怎生见那唐王，且听下回分解。