Chapter 6, The Story of Guanyin, The Truth Behind the Basket

After listening to Wutian's narration, the revered Guanyin could not help but reveal a hint of a smile and said, "This story is quite interesting, but the truth is not as such"

The Bodhisattva Jin Naluo fell into the demon realm and became the Great Sage Molo. It appears that he was deemed to have impure senses by the Lord of the Spirit Mountain at that time due to the matter concerning A Xiu, leading to his expulsion from the Spirit Mountain. However, in reality, he became a victim of the struggle between the Buddhist realm of the Spirit Mountain and the forces of the Apomen sect.

However, in reality, Guanyin Bodhisattva took considerable risks in this matter

Guanyin Bodhisattva said: "Great monk, you have yet to specify what the problem is, how can I respond to you."

Hearing one's own story from the mouth of another is indeed a very novel experience, especially when the identity of that person is quite extraordinary

The Jade Emperor ascended to power 120,000 years ago. Before the Jade Emperor's ascension, the Heavenly Emperor was the true sovereign of the heavens

The murderous intent in Wu Tian's eyes dissipated, and his tone became calm

Wu Tianping quietly observed Guanyin Bodhisattva, remaining silent for a moment before speaking: "Indeed, you are worthy of being called the revered Guanyin. Even when faced with a Buddhist adversary like me, you do not resort to falsehoods."

After answering Wutian's question, Guanyin Bodhisattva began to speak: "The true origin of the Basket-Holding Guanyin is indeed due to the decree of the Heavenly Emperor, who ordered the heavenly fire to burn the city"

I did not make any agreements with the Heavenly Emperor, nor did I plead with him. At that time, the Heavenly Emperor set a deadline of ten days, stating that unless those villagers could draw water with a bamboo basket, the city would be burned by heavenly fire after ten days.

However, in this situation, the great monk suddenly left Mount Ling, and he did not have his capable subordinates keep watch over us, which truly worries me. Therefore, I wish to see what the great monk intends to do by leaving Mount Ling.

Without the heavens to see Guanyin in detail, I will recount the stories I have heard in the past on Earth, narrating them in detail

Everyone believed that using a bamboo basket to fetch water was futile. Therefore, the Bodhisattva Guanyin personally demonstrated it. At that moment, a fish swam into the bamboo basket, blocking it with its scales, and the bamboo basket successfully fetched water. Subsequently, the Bodhisattva Guanyin transformed back to her original form and successfully enlightened the people of that city

Guanyin Bodhisattva was taken aback; she had initially thought that Wutian must have some ulterior motive and that the questions would pertain to the spiritual realm of Lingshan. However, the question Wutian asked was unexpectedly about her, and it was particularly obscure and meaningless.

On the first day, the revered Guanyin transformed into an ugly woman selling fish, and as a result, she was met with harsh words from the people in the city

He and Guanyin are, after all, enemies. Now that Guanyin has left Mount Ling and boldly appeared before him, if he does not respond in some way, it would be rather unbecoming.

After a moment of contemplation, Guanyin Bodhisattva felt that this question was not unanswerable, and thus inquired in detail: "There are many folk tales that circulate widely, and the same story can vary in content across different regions. I wonder what kind of story the great monk has heard about the Basket-holding Guanyin?"

After speaking, Wu Tian crossed his arms behind his back, looking solemnly at Guanyin Bodhisattva, and said: "Venerable One, I have a question I would like to ask you. Are you willing to answer it?"

In the original plot, after the journey to obtain the scriptures, the White Dragon Horse was conferred the title of Bodhisattva of the Eightfold Great Power by Tathagata. In order to seek justice for his uncle, the Dragon King of the Jinghe River, he even demanded to place a curse on Sun Wukong.

However, the revered Guanyin does not desire gold or silver, but rather wishes for them to recite Buddhist scriptures. After one person passed the test of Guanyin, the revered Guanyin requested a bamboo basket to draw water as a betrothal gift

The Bodhisattva Guanyin, hearing Wutian's words, humbly replied, "The great monk has overpraised me"

In the "Journey to the West: The Sequel," the Buddha appears to be immensely powerful, and upon his return after thirty-three years, even the Jade Emperor must pay his respects to him. However, in reality, the Heavenly Court is the true orthodoxy of the Three Realms

Upon hearing this, I went to that place, enlightened a carp, and used a bamboo basket to draw water. That was a local woman, and she has no connection to me

Wu Tian gently nodded, his gaze admiringly fixed on Guanyin Bodhisattva: "Indeed, it is the great compassion and great mercy of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva"

Wu Tian is not the same as those ordinary believers

Afterwards, the esteemed Sun Wukong, known as the Victorious Fighting Buddha, traversed the heavens and the earth, and after enduring various hardships, finally managed to assist the White Dragon in resolving the grievances of the Dragon King of the Jinghe River.

Once, when living on Earth, Wu Tian heard the story of the Avalokiteshvara with a basket and found it very interesting. Now that the main figure stands before him, he naturally wants to inquire further.

Although Wutian is an enemy of the Spirit Mountain Buddha Realm and is considered a demon, his magical power surpasses that of the Tathagata Buddha, and his status as the foremost figure in the Three Realms is entirely legitimate

After the Tathagata Buddha's reincarnation, the Great Monk has become the foremost figure in the Three Realms, and the deities of the Heavenly Court have all been subdued by the Great Monk's magical powers. We, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Ling Mountain, have also been placed under house arrest in the Mahavira Hall by the Great Monk

Wu Tian then said: "I have heard the story of the Avalokiteshvara with a basket, and my question to you, venerable one, is whether this story is true or not"

Although the revered one is not a Buddha, he is more deserving of the title than anyone else in this world. I have heard many legends and stories about the revered one.

It is said that a long time ago, there was a city of sin, inhabited by wicked people who committed all kinds of evil. One day, they angered the Heavenly Emperor, who ordered the city to be burned by heavenly fire, intending to annihilate the entire city. The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara went to plead with the Heavenly Emperor, agreeing to ensure that all the inhabitants of the city would repent and turn to goodness within three days

On the second day, the revered Guanyin transformed into a beautiful woman selling fish, causing the streets of the city to be deserted by thousands. Many men approached Guanyin with marriage proposals, and even local wealthy individuals, disregarding gold and silver, sought to marry this woman who resembled a celestial being descending to earth

She specifically left Lingshan to find out what Wutian suddenly left Lingshan for, and the other matters were simply not her concern

The Heavenly Emperor was the supreme ruler of the heavens before the Jade Emperor, whose words were as authoritative as gold and jade. At that time, the Heavenly Court was powerful, far surpassing the Buddhist realm of Lingshan. If Guanyin Bodhisattva intervened in this matter, it could have resulted in a fate similar to that of Wutian, being expelled from Lingshan.

If those who are aware of this matter are not the truly compassionate Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, it is likely that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Buddhist realm would not concern themselves with this issue

After a moment of modesty, Guanyin Bodhisattva then elaborated further.

At that time, the Tathāgata explicitly stated that the Buddhist realm cannot interfere in the affairs of the heavenly court, and that he, as the Tathāgata Buddha, also cannot point out the mistakes of the Jade Emperor

He originally held no hostility towards Guanyin Bodhisattva; his earlier behavior was merely a show of force, prompted by Guanyin's pursuit of him after leaving Mount Ling.

Compared to the stories he told, the reality narrated by Guanyin feels rather plain and ordinary. Moreover, Guanyin only enlightened a single carp, seemingly just providing a modest assistance to the local people.

She also did not know what kind of scheme Wutian was concocting. To prevent herself from inadvertently stepping into Wutian's plot, Guanyin Bodhisattva had already made up her mind to speak and act less.

Even the Bodhisattva Guanyin would feel a sense of pride in her heart upon hearing such a figure recount stories about her