I Transmigrate to the Tang Dynasty, but This Monk Xuanzang Won't Journey West

Chen Fan, an overworked office worker, dies suddenly and transmigrates into the body of Tang Sanzang, who is determined to travel west in search of the scriptures. After awakening Jin Chanzi’s memories, he sees through the shocking scheme behind the Tathagata’s ten reincarnations, which turned him into a pawn and used the scripture-fetching journey to bind the faith of the mortal world. He rejects the journey west on the spot and swears never to worship Vulture Peak or submit to the Tathagata.

At Famen Temple, he opens a forum to preach a new Buddhism. He speaks not of karma in the next life, but of food and shelter in this one. His teaching that “the Buddha is found in the everyday world” shatters Vulture Peak’s hollow doctrine, winning the hearts of the Tang people and gathering the abundant faith of the mortal realm. When he meets Li Shimin, he makes a pact: he will protect the Tang dynasty’s peace in exchange for the freedom to preach. Drawing on the dragon aura of the Tang, he shields himself and completely breaks free of Vulture Peak’s control.

The Tathagata is both furious and shocked. He first seals off the channels of incense offerings, then sends the Black Bear Spirit and Sha Wujing to cause trouble. Xuanzang subdues them both and takes them as disciples. When the Tathagata sees his schemes have failed, he sends the two great Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra down to capture and kill Xuanzang. But before the people of Chang’an, Xuanzang uses the power of faith to destroy their life-bound Buddhist treasures, leaving Vulture Peak utterly humiliated.

Afterward, Xuanzang builds Chan monasteries to benefit the people and teaches farming and healing. His following grows ever stronger, and he condenses a Mortal-World Buddha Lotus powerful enough to shake Vulture Peak, diverting its incense offerings and causing the Tathagata’s Meritorious Virtue Golden Lotus to wither day by day. Xuanzang presses forward at every turn, foiling Vulture Peak’s schemes, cutting down Buddhism’s enforcers, and overturning the board on which the Three Realms are played. The Buddhas are struck speechless, and Vulture Peak trembles.

The Tathagata goes from fury to anxiety, then is driven mad by repeated defeats. At last, Xuanzang brings the Tang dynasty’s dragon aura and the faith of countless millions to Vulture Peak. He overturns the Tathagata’s lotus throne, takes his place as lord of all Buddhas, establishes the true path of the Buddha in the mortal world, and protects all beings of the Three Realms, ushering in a new era for the Buddhist realm.