The Fourth Story of Half a Glass of Water —— Tang Priest's Journey to the Desert Water.

It is said that Xuanzang, a sage of the Tang Dynasty, left his native land in tears and went west all the way, determined to retrieve the true scriptures from Tianzhu, a Buddhist country, and save all sentient beings in the world. This is the fate of his life, his relationship with Buddhism.

He has been preparing for this grand mission for 26 years. Because he repeatedly applied to Emperor Taizong for the Western Heaven, he was not allowed. Xuanzang decided to "go beyond the franchise and go to Tianzhu privately".

Therefore, it virtually added great difficulties and obstacles to his westward journey. Not only did he get no assistance in personnel, materials and politics in the Tang Dynasty, but he also escaped the surprise attack in the Tang Dynasty. However, Xuanzang, who was determined to seek Buddha, was not intimidated by difficulties and resolutely embarked on the road to the west.

With the help of Buddhist believers, Xuanzang successfully left the country and entered the vast Gobi. He trudged along the Silk Road leading to Persian and Tianzhu merchants. His future is full of crisis, and his life and death are uncertain. However, Xuanzang, who had long since turned his back on life and death, resolutely moved forward.

On the way, a businessman who frequently traveled between Persia and Datang worshipped Xuanzang as a teacher, promised to support Xuanzang, and accompanied Xuanzang to the west to learn from the scriptures. However, he soon broke his word and planned to kill Xuanzang at night to shut him up. Fortunately, his actions were discovered by Xuanzang. Under the persuasion of Xuanzang, he finally gave up the idea of killing Xuanzang, but he took the funded materials.

Master Xuanzang, who was hit hard, cleared up his mood and continued on his way. Without a guide and a sandstorm in the desert, Xuanzang soon got lost. He walked around and couldn't find the right way, so he walked back to his original place. To make matters worse, the water in his water bag came out, and when he found it, there was only half a glass of water left. I don't know where the water source is ahead. Without food to replenish physical strength, hot weather consumes too much energy. Soon, Master Xuanzang fell into a trance, and the whole person was in a daze. Under the guidance of the horse, he mechanically walked with heavy steps step by step.

In order not to lose consciousness, Master Xuanzang kept reading Dhamma, but he couldn't hold on any longer. Then he soaked his lips with water.

Just walking, I don't know how long it took, and I don't know which direction to go. The water in the water bag has been finished. If we can't find water again, our master Xuanzang will die with regret, helplessness and unwillingness.

Suddenly, Master Xuanzang slipped and rolled down the sand dune. The fall made Master Xuanzang completely unconscious.

When our master Xuanzang woke up again, the stars were shining in the desert, and the cool breeze in Xu Lai made him feel a rare coolness. Everything in front of us is so quiet, meticulous and harmonious, with a different style and scenery. Unexpectedly, the desert can be so beautiful.

Master Xuanzang's first reaction was that he was in heaven, but his physical pain brought him back to reality. He thought what he saw was a mirage, because what he saw was the lake, the sparkling lake and the lake swaying with weeds. Just as Master Xuanzang's heart sank, he saw his horse, the only companion who never left on his journey, and saw his horse snorting happily, immersed in the happy time of eating grass. With the horse shaking, Master Xuanzang felt the coolness of a few drops of water. What the eyes see may be false, but the feeling of the body faithfully tells him that all this is true, not a mirage, not an illusion, not false.

Master Xuanzang completely melted himself in the world of water, so that every inch of his skin melted in the water. Water is the source of life, which not only washes away his dusty clothes, but also washes away his fatigue.

In the desert, water is the land of intelligent life and the gathering place of life. During the break of the water source, Master Xuanzang finally returned to earth and met the camel team who came to replenish the water source. With the help of the camel team, Master Xuanzang continued to embark on the road to the west.