Tang Taizong was very happy, and became brothers with Chen Xuanzang. He asked him to go to West Heaven to obtain the scriptures, gave him the kasaya and other treasures, and changed his name to “Tang Sanzang”. A few days later, Sanzang was ready to leave. Tang Taizong led all the civil and military officials to escort him out of Chang’an city, and bid farewell to Sanzang.
Tang Sanzang was also known as Tang Monk. He and his two servants rode for two days and came to Famen Temple. The monks in the temple hurriedly came out to greet them. At night, the monks sat together and talked about the dangers of going to West Heaven to obtain the scriptures. Tang Monk pointed at his heart and said: “As long as you have a firm faith, any danger is nothing!” The monks praised him.
The next day, Tang Monk and his servants tearfully said goodbye to the monks, and continued to ride westward. In a few days, they arrived at Hezhou, the border of Great Tang. The general who guarded the border and the local monks and Taoists took Tang Monk and his servants to Fuyuan Temple for rest.
The next day, before dawn, Tang Monk called his two servants and they set off by moonlight. After walking for more than ten miles, they began to climb the mountain. The road was uneven and full of weeds, very difficult to walk. They had to pull out the weeds as they walked. Suddenly, one foot stepped on the air, and the three of them and the horse fell into a deep pit. As the master and servants were in panic, they suddenly heard shouts of “Catch them! Catch them!”
