Why didn't the Tang Priest in The Journey to the West ask the old turtle in Tongtianhe to live forever?

First of all, with normal logical reasoning and reference to the character of Tang Priest, it is impossible not to help the old tortoise beg for his life.

Then some people will ask: Did Tang Priest ask after all?

My answer is no.

Why don't you ask?

Only by returning to the explanation of Buddhism's ideas and acting styles can we have a comprehensive understanding.

In the 49th episode of the original book, after Guanyin took away the goldfish essence, the old man took the initiative to cross the river with Tang Priest and his disciples on his back to express his gratitude for regaining the abode of fairies and immortals.

The Tang Priest was very sorry. He said, "I have nothing to give you because you are tired. I'll thank you when I get the scriptures. "

Old can immediately interface:

"Thank you for your hard work, master. It is said that the Buddha in the Western Heaven is immortal and can know the past and the future. I renovated/kloc-0 here for over 300 years. Although I am light and can speak human language, it is difficult to get rid of my shell. I hope that the master will go to the Western Heaven and ask the Buddha to see when I will get rid of my shell. "

The Tang Priest had to agree, "I'll ask, I'll ask."

However, when Tang Priest arrived in the Western Heaven Lingshan, he was so angry that he was stunned by the personnel problems of the Second Elder. Later, he got the scripture without words, and his heart was even more anxious.

After much effort, he couldn't think of anything else, so he forgot to ask the Buddha.

This is a general explanation, which is also written in the book.

As a Taoist priest, Tang Priest would never ask Buddha!

Why? Quite simply, Buddhists pay attention to everything, and everything is predestined. In other words, it is not a matter of time at all, but a matter of fate. As long as his practice arrives, he will be able to shed his shell and become an adult immediately. If you don't practice before, you may not succeed if you wait another thousand years.

At the same time, Buddhists talk about the heart, for example, if you have a heart to do good, you will not report it; No intention to do evil, although evil is not punished.

Everything has a cause and an effect, and there is a cause and an effect. If the old man is devoted to goodness, diligent in practice and does more good deeds, he will naturally become an adult. This is not a matter of time in itself, but an attitude problem.

When the old man suddenly asked this question, Tang Priest was also testing the old man's practice. So there is no answer.

When the Tang Priest hesitated, the old tortoise got angry: He certainly didn't take my business seriously and asked me to carry you! No way! Go away!

Swish into the water, and all four Tang Taoists were plunged into the water.

His anger deprived him of thousands of years of practice and adult opportunities.

Second,

This level is not only testing the Tang Priest, but also testing the old tortoise.

Why did Tathagata test the old turtle? Mainly depends on its Buddha nature.

If it learns that the Tang Priest forgot to ask for it, and can calmly recite the master and apprentice, it will prove that it is in place and it is only a matter of time before it can get someone.

But he made an angry move, which was obviously not in place. What is more important is his attitude, which is the real reason why he still can't get a person after more than 1000 years of practice. A mind like him may wait another thousand years, but it may not be possible.

Third,

Buddhism emphasizes in its own teachings that anyone can become a Buddha as long as he is committed to doing good and respecting Buddha.

This also applies to old catfish.

Because as mentioned above, practice is attitude first, and then behavior.

Buddhism talks about cause and effect, your heart is the cause, and your behavior is the result.

Judging from the behavior of the old man, his heart is still uncertain, and he has not reached the qualified score of the Buddhist adult examination and needs to practice again.

Buddhism says there is nothing outside the heart. It's not something moving, but your heart moving.

Things like practice are not questions that have been asked, but also questions that cannot be asked.

This problem and this anger directly reflect the improper behavior of the old salamander, and the question of when to become an adult can only be another story.