Session 32: Xuanzang Demonstrates His Strong Faith in Abiding by the Precepts

Xuanzang begins his journey westward with two attendants, but tragedy strikes early—they are devoured by demons. Terrified and lost, Xuanzang is saved by the Planet Venus of the Western Heaven disguised as an old man, who tells him he is protected because of his enlightened nature. Later, Xuanzang meets Boqin, a hunter, and his family, who generously prepare pure vegetarian food for him in accordance with his vows. This moment underscores his unwavering commitment to precepts, even in hardship.

Session Focus:

We’ll explore how Xuanzang sustains his faith, discipline, and purity even in the face of extreme adversity. What gives him the strength to hold to his vows? What does this teach us about integrity and spiritual resilience?

Key Questions for contemplation:

The monks were discussing the true teachings of the Buddhist faith and the reasons for going to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures. … Sanzang kept his lips sealed; he said nothing, only pointing to his heart and nodding occasionally. The monks, unable to understand what he meant, put their hands together and asked, "Why do you point to your heart and nod your head, Master?" "When the heart and mind live," Sanzang replied, "every kind of evil lives; but when they are extinguished, evil is extinguished too.“

Q1: How do you interpret Xuanzang’s words?

What do they reveal about the understanding of the mind and suffering?

How can this insight help us in times of fear or confusion?

Q2: What happens to Xuanzang in this terrifying moment when he loses his attendants to demons?

Why do you think Xuanzang is spared?

What does this tell us about karma, spiritual protection, or innate virtue?

"There's no need to worry," Sanzang answered. "Please go ahead and eat. I'd go without food for four or five days, or even starve, rather than break the monastic rule about vegetarian food.”

Q3: Why was this significant?

What does this tell us about his inner strength and priorities?

Would you have done the same in his place?

Boqin’s mother told her daughter−in−law to take down the little cooking−pot, burn the fat out of it, scrub it and wash it several times over, then put it back on the stove. Then they half filled it with boiling water that they threw away. Next she poured boiling water on mountain−elm leaves to make tea, boiled up some millet, and cooked some dried vegetables. This was then all put into two bowls and set on the table. Then the old woman said to Sanzang, "Please eat, venerable monk. This is completely pure tea and food that I and my daughter−in−law have prepared.”

Q4: What values are reflected in their process of cleaning and preparing food?

What do you think this moment teaches us about respect, purity, and reciprocity?

The soul of Boqin's father, now delivered from being a drowned ghost, came to the house that night and appeared in a dream to everyone in the family. "I suffered long in the underworld, unable to find deliverance," he said, "but now that the saintly monk has wiped out my sins by reading some scriptures. King Yama has had me sent back to the rich land of China to be reborn in an important family. You must reward him generously, and no half measures. Now I'm going."

Q5: Why do you think he appeared to the whole family in the dream?

Besides the scripture reading, what other factors may have contributed to his salvation?