Chapter 13: The Four Sages Orchestrate a Trial to Test the Zen Mind

Summary

Tang Sanzang and his disciples seek shelter at a luxurious manor, where a widow offers marriage to her three daughters. While Tang Sanzang and the others refuse, Zhu Bajie is tempted. However, the entire encounter is a divine test by Guanyin and other sages. Bajie is tricked and captured, but ultimately rescued. Humbled, he vows to remain faithful to the pilgrimage.

Content

As autumn deepened, the mountains were ablaze with red maple leaves, and wild chrysanthemums filled the land with fragrance. One day, as the four travelers continued on their journey, nightfall approached. Tang Sanzang said, "Disciples, the sky is getting dark. Where should we rest for the night?"

Sun Wukong replied, "Master, that is not the right question. A monk should be indifferent to worldly comforts and can rest anywhere. Why ask where to stay?"

Zhu Bajie countered, "Brother, you travel with ease and don't understand our hardships. Since crossing the Flowing Sand River, we have been climbing mountains and carrying heavy burdens—it’s exhausting. Let’s find a household where we can get a meal and rest."

As they debated, they saw a grand estate in the distance. Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, look at that manor ahead. Could we ask for lodging there?"

Wukong used his fiery eyes to examine the place and saw auspicious clouds hovering above it, realizing it was a divine test. However, he did not reveal the truth and simply said, "Alright, let’s go ask for shelter."

Upon reaching the entrance, Tang Sanzang dismounted. The estate was magnificent, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. Wukong was about to enter when Tang Sanzang stopped him. "Wukong, we are monks and should not intrude without permission. Let’s wait for someone to come out and ask courteously."

They waited, but no one appeared. Wukong, impatient, leaped inside and found a grand hall decorated with paintings and couplets. Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind the hall. A middle-aged woman emerged and scolded, "Who dares trespass in my widow's home?"

Wukong respectfully saluted her. "We are monks from the Tang Dynasty on a pilgrimage to the West to seek scriptures. Night has fallen, and we humbly ask for shelter."

Hearing this, the woman smiled. "Where are the other monks? Please, come in."

Wukong fetched his companions, and they were warmly welcomed with tea and a vegetarian meal. Tang Sanzang asked, "May I ask your honorable name and the name of this place?"

The woman replied, "This is the land of Xiniu Hezhou. My maiden name is Jia, and my late husband’s surname was Mo. We inherited great wealth—vast lands and countless treasures. My husband passed away two years ago, leaving behind three unmarried daughters. I had planned to find sons-in-law to manage our estate. Now that you are here, why not stay and marry my daughters?"

Tang Sanzang remained silent, but Zhu Bajie grew eager. "Master, why don’t you say something?"

Tang Sanzang scolded him, "We are monks. How can we be tempted by wealth and beauty?"

The widow argued, "What is so great about being a monk?"

Tang Sanzang debated the virtues of monastic life versus lay life, and the woman grew angry. "You insult me! If you refuse, at least let one of your disciples stay."

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, you stay."

Wukong refused, suggesting Bajie instead. Bajie hesitated, and Sha Wujing firmly declined as well. The widow, furious, stormed off, slamming the door.

Zhu Bajie grumbled, "Master, you could have humored her for a meal! Now we have no food or shelter for the night!"

To pass the time, Bajie went to "tend the horses" but actually approached the widow and her daughters. He flattered them, and they teased him in return. Wukong, suspicious, transformed into a red dragonfly to spy on them.

Bajie boldly declared, "Master’s orders don’t matter; I can decide for myself." The widow promised to discuss it with her daughters, and Bajie returned, thinking his plan was working.

Later, the widow invited them back inside. She proposed a marriage trial where Bajie, blindfolded, had to catch one of her daughters to determine his bride. Bajie eagerly agreed but stumbled repeatedly, failing to catch anyone. Next, she offered him a jeweled robe to try on. As soon as he put it on, it tightened around him like ropes, binding him helplessly.

The next morning, Tang Sanzang and his companions woke up to find themselves lying in a pine forest—no manor in sight. Tang Sanzang asked, "How did we end up here?"

Wukong chuckled, "At least we woke up here. I wonder where Bajie is suffering!"

Just then, they heard Bajie’s cries for help. They found him hanging from a tree, trapped in enchanted ropes. Wukong teased, "Good son-in-law! Still waiting to greet your bride?"

Bajie, mortified, kept silent as Sha Wujing cut him down. They then found a note revealing that the "widow" and her daughters were actually deities—Guanyin, Li Shan Lao Mu, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra—testing their resolve.

Bajie, deeply ashamed, vowed, "From now on, I will follow Master to the West without distraction!"

Thus, they gathered their belongings and continued their journey.