The Golden Turtle Carrying the Monk

The Golden Turtle Carrying the Monk

The Golden Turtle Carrying the Monk

The Golden Turtle Carrying the Monk — this scene draws us into the story of *Journey to the West*: “On the Drying Sutra Stone, water curtains from the spring flow; who could draw the Milky Way down from mid-sky? A crescent moon hooks the morning like suspended jade; long winds stir waves that dusk turns to mist. Buddhist chants splash amid foam, wet yet dry again; winding stream clouds break then reconnect. Choosing the finest spot, we raise our cups to enjoy the seclusion; composing poetry, I lament lacking a brush as mighty as a pillar.”

Legend has it: back when Master Tang and his disciples were on their way back from the West after obtaining the Buddhist scriptures, they passed by this place just as a mountain flood struck. Luckily, a large turtle offered to carry them. But when the turtle was swimming through deep and fast-moving waters, it suddenly flipped over, throwing Master Tang and the scriptures into the water. Fortunately, their extraordinary disciple Sun Wukong, who could travel to heaven and earth, saved them from drowning. Look at this sculpture of the Golden Turtle Carrying the Monk — doesn’t it resemble the giant turtle carrying Master Tang and his companions, with the monk sitting on the turtle’s back, eyes closed in meditation?