Journey to the West, Volume 2: English

Author: Wu Cheng'en
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1995-01-01
Features: This is the second of three volumes of Journey to the West, the great fantasy novel written in the late sixteenth century based on a long tradition of storyteller's tales. In this volume, the four pilgrims—the Tang Priest Sanzang, the former Monkey King Sun Wukong, Pig, and Friar Sand—have to overcome many dangers on their way to fetch the scriptures from the Buddha's Thunder Monastery in the Western Heaven. Monsters and demons of every kind try to waylay the Tang Priest. Most, like the ferocious Red Boy, want to devour him. Some, such as the scorpionspirit of Pipa Cave, take the form of beautiful women in the hope of seducing him. Monkey has to use all his connections in the supernatural world to find the help that will enable him to defeat these and other formidable enemies, such as the Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan, or the imitation Monkey who is indistinguishable from himself. The story is told with zest, rich imagination and a lively humour. The novel is not only an exciting series of adventures; it is also full of sharp comments on life and society that make it a vivid satire. The four travellers and the people and monsters they meet are drawn with vigour and perception. The illustrations are reprinted from a nineteenth-century edition of the book. Jacket drawing by: Wei Wei
Excerpt:
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
On Flat-top Mountain, the Duty God delivers a message; In Lotus Flower Cave, Pig runs into trouble. The story tells how after Monkey had rejoined the Tang Priest, the four of them headed west, united in their shared determination. The king of Elephantia had escorted them beyond his capital to thank them for bringing back his daughter. From there they traveled on, eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty, moving by day and resting at night. By now it was spring. A light breeze rustled the silky green catkins of willows, and the view was splendid. This season encouraged the birds to sing; the flowers bloomed in the warm sun, making the whole world fragrant. A pair of swallows came to the tree in the courtyard; now was the time to enjoy the spring. Amidst the world's reddust and the city's streets, lights and silks were worn to the sound of flute and pipe, as flowers vied and the cup was passed around. Master and disciples were enjoying their journey when they saw a mountain blocking their way.
"Be careful, disciples," said the Tang Priest. "I'm worried that tigers and wolves may prevent us from crossing that high mountain ahead."
"As a man of religion," said Monkey, "you shouldn't say that sort of thing. Don't you remember what the Heart Sutra, the Rook's Nest Hermittaught you says—'If one relies on the prajna-paramita, he is free in his mind, he has no fear, is rid of dream-like thoughts of unreality and enjoys ultimate Nirvana.' All you have to do is Journey to the West. Wipe the dust off your mind, wash out the dirt from your ear. Without the most terrible suffering, you cannot be a great man.' There's no need to be so glum. With me here, you'll come to no harm even if the sky falls down, so why be scared of wolves and tigers?"
The Tang Priest restrained himself in his horse and replied: "When I left Chang'an, imperial orders were given, I was determined to worship the Buddha in the West, where his golden image shines in the sacred land, and the jade hair gleams in the pagoda." I shall search the nameless rivers of the world, and climb all unknown mountain ranges. I shall long to cross the mighty, misty waves; but when, O when, will I find my rest?"
When Monkey heard this, he chuckled and said, "You'll have no difficulty in that. When you've completed your mission, your destinies will be over and all your dharmas will be empty, so of course you'll be able to rest then."
This cheered up Sanzang, who gave his dragon-horse the rein and urged it forward. As they climbed the mountain, they found it truly craggy and precipitous. Towering peaks, tapering pinnacles. Down in the deep and winding stream, beside the solitary cliff. Down in the deep and winding stream, you can hear the serpents playing and splashing in the water; beside the solitary cliff, amidst the trees on the precipice, tigers whisk their tails.