Early the next morning, before dawn, Tripitaka was already up and washing.
Monkey, cradling his Golden Staff, leaned against the door, watching Tripitaka dry his hands after washing his face, and asked lazily, "Leaving so soon? Why not stay another couple days and try to enlighten that old monk?"
Tripitaka asked, "Great Sage, do you think I should enlighten Abbot Goldenpool before we leave?"
"Isn't that the point?" Monkey tilted his head and said, "The whole reason for journeying step by step to the Thunderclap Monastery is to realize your Dao, isn't it? Your Way is 'universal salvation.' Well, the person who needs saving is right in front of you—why not do it? If you just walk away, what's the point of this whole trip?"
Gazing at the gently rippling water, Tripitaka smiled faintly and said, "The Buddhas of the West likely think the same way. That's why I encountered Abbot Goldenpool here."
Monkey asked, "What do you mean?"
"What is it?"
"The first problem is: what if you do your utmost, yet still cannot save someone?"
Monkey laughed, furrowing his brow. "That's true, well said. If you've done all you can and still can't save them, then what? What do you plan to do?"
Lowering his head slightly, Tripitaka sighed softly. "I've already said all I can. If I cannot enlighten him, then the affinity is not ripe. In that case, there is no need for self-blame—just set out on the road. If fate allows, we will meet again. If I truly get stuck here, how could I walk the path of universal salvation?"
Carrying the washbasin, Tripitaka slowly brushed past Monkey and walked out into the courtyard.
As soon as Tripitaka came out of the room, Barry Bear rushed over and snatched the washbasin from his hands, muttering, "Master, please, let me take care of this! It's my job—just leave it to me!"
Tripitaka watched Barry Bear's retreating back in silence, his hands now empty.
Monkey slowly turned his face and smiled. "You really see things clearly."
"To save all beings is a long road. If I can't even see clearly myself, how could I save anyone else?" Tripitaka sighed deeply. "Nothing is perfect. Every living being in this world has its own karma, and nothing can be changed entirely at our will. The only perfection is in our own hearts. To become a Buddha is to refine one's heart to perfection, shutting out all the dust of the world and thus attaining bliss. Universal salvation also requires perfecting one's heart, but the difference is, one must use that perfected heart to immerse in this imperfect world, yet not let karma stain or break it. That is the hardest part."
Turning his face gently, Tripitaka asked in a soft voice, "Does the Great Sage understand what I mean?"
After a long moment, Monkey came to himself, scratched his head, and said, "I think... I sort of get it, but not completely."
Simply put, it means: stay true to your heart, change what you can in this world, and accept what you can't. Get out there, don't just hide away. Try your best to make a difference, not just break things or deny them. But the hardest part is staying true to your heart. If you lose that, nothing else matters." Raising his head, Tripitaka sighed softly and, gazing at Barry Bear in the distance, added, "Barry Bear is struggling inside. If you get the chance, Great Sage, maybe try to help him out."
Me? Give him advice? Nah, that's your job, isn't it? You're the one saving everyone. Just help him when the time comes. No rush—he's sticking with us, so do it when the moment's right.
At this moment, Barry Bear had already dumped out the water and was cheerfully walking back with the empty basin.
Tripitaka stepped forward, pressed his palms together, and said, "Thank you, benefactor."
Seeing this, Barry Bear was startled and hurried over to support him. "Master, you mustn't! This is my duty."
As he spoke, his eyes kept glancing nervously at Monkey.
Tripitaka looked at Monkey, who was briefly taken aback, then turned to Barry Bear and said, "I already told you, you're a 'friend' now. Don't act like a servant, understand?"
Barry Bear nodded and bowed repeatedly. "Yes, Great Sage, I understand. I understand."
"If you know, then change."
"I will, I will."
Though he said he'd change, Barry Bear's eyes toward Monkey and Tripitaka were still filled with awe—hardly the look of a 'friend.'
Seeing this, Tripitaka could only sigh helplessly, bow to Barry Bear again, and turn back into the house, leaving Monkey and Barry Bear standing in the courtyard.
Barry Bear watched Monkey cautiously.
"Don't just stand there," Monkey said coldly, turning his face away. "Go do whatever you need to do."
Yes, Great Sage! I'll do it right away!
With that, Barry Bear hurried away.
Only after Barry Bear had left did Monkey mutter to himself, "Hold to your true heart, change what can be changed, accept what cannot... Why does it sound like those last two lines were meant for me? Heh... That Tripitaka..."
He turned and wandered off to the side.
Jinchi hurriedly pushed open the door of the meditation room and rushed in, pointing outside and gasping for breath as he said to Manjusri, "Venerable One, something's wrong—Tripitaka is leaving."
"Leaving?" Manjusri, who had been sitting in meditation with his eyes closed, slowly opened them and asked, "Why... is he suddenly leaving?"
"I don't know either. My disciples tried every way to persuade Tripitaka to stay and lecture, but he just wouldn't agree. Venerable One, what should we do now?"