The Tathagata saw that the East was deeply sinful and wanted to spread the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures, the Tripitaka, to the land of Tang in the East. So he decided to send a disciple to select a pilgrim in the land of Tang in the East. The pilgrim would have to go through countless hardships to reach the Western Paradise and obtain the true scriptures.
如来见东方罪孽深重，欲将大乘佛法三藏真经传到东土，便决定派遣一位弟子去东土大唐挑选一位取经人，历经千难万险前往西方极乐世界取得真经。
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva received the Buddha's decree and, with Huian, rode on auspicious clouds straight to the land of Tang in the East.
观世音菩萨领了佛旨，带着惠岸，驾着祥云直奔东土大唐。
After the Bodhisattva and her disciple arrived in the land of Tang in the East, they searched for many days but still could not find a virtuous pilgrim.
菩萨师徒来到东土后，寻觅多日，却未能找到有德行的取经人。
One day, when they heard that Emperor Taizong had invited Master Xuanzang to preach scriptures, the Bodhisattva turned into two mangy-headed monks and went to listen.
一日，听闻太宗皇帝请玄奘法师讲经，菩萨便变成两个癞头和尚前去听讲。
The Bodhisattva recognized that Master Xuanzang was the reincarnation of Elder Jinchan and a child who had practiced for ten lifetimes. So she asked loudly, "That monk, you only know how to preach the Hinayana teachings. Do you know how to preach the Mahayana teachings?"
菩萨认出玄奘法师乃是金蝉长老转世，是十世修行的童子，于是高声问道：“那和尚，你只会讲小乘教法，可会讲大乘教法吗？”
Xuanzang hurriedly left his seat and saluted, replying, "We only know how to preach this scripture. We don't know what the Mahayana teachings are."
玄奘慌忙离座，施礼回道：“我们只会讲此经，不知什么是大乘教法。”
The Bodhisattva said, "The Hinayana teachings cannot resurrect the dead. I have the Mahayana teachings, the Tripitaka, which can help the deceased ascend to heaven, rescue those in suffering from difficulties, and help people become immortals."
菩萨说道：“小乘教法不能使死者超生，我有大乘教法三藏，能超度亡者升天，渡苦难之人脱难，还能修成神仙。”
Seeing someone making trouble, Emperor Taizong ordered everyone to capture the two people. However, the two monks revealed their true forms and turned out to be Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and her disciple.
太宗见有人捣乱，命众人将二人拿下，然而二僧却现出本相，竟是观音师徒。
Avalokitesvara asked Emperor Taizong to send Xuanzang to the Western Heaven to fetch the Mahayana true scriptures. She also bestowed upon Xuanzang the golden orchid cassock and the nine-ringed staff brought from the Western Heaven.
观音让太宗叫玄奘去西天取大乘真经，并将从西天带来的金兰袈裟和九环锡杖赐予玄奘。
Emperor Taizong and all the officials and monks knelt down and paid homage. The Bodhisattva stepped on the auspicious clouds and gradually ascended and flew westward.
太宗与百官众僧跪下，顶礼膜拜，菩萨踩祥云渐渐升空西去。
The next day, Emperor Taizong became sworn brothers with Xuanzang. He gave Xuanzang a purple gold alms bowl and also stamped the imperial jade seal on the official travel permit.
次日，太宗与玄奘拜为兄弟，送给玄奘一个紫金钵盂，又在通关文牒上盖了玉玺宝印。
Emperor Taizong asked, "Does Your Highness have a literary name?"
太宗问：“御弟有没有雅号？”
Xuanzang said, "As a monk, I dare not have a name."
唐僧说：“出家人，不敢有号。”
Emperor Taizong said, "Since Your Highness is going to fetch the Tripitaka scriptures, you can be called Tripitaka."
太宗说：“御弟去取三藏真经，可以叫作三藏。”
Xuanzang thanked Emperor Taizong and set off westward through the pass.
唐僧谢了太宗，出关西行。
