Journey to the West - (Junior High School Part) (Upper and Lower Volumes) (Revised Edition)

Author: Wu Cheng'en (Ming) / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1980-05-01
Features:
Now, Sun Wukong was vexed and sulky, rising into the air, intending to return to Flower-Fruit Mountain's Water Curtain Cave, fearing the little demons there would laugh at him for turning back after leaving, calling him a cowardly man. He thought of joining the Heavenly Court, but worried he wouldn’t be welcome there. He considered going to the Sea of Islands, yet ashamed to meet the immortals there. He thought of seeking refuge in the Dragon Palace, but couldn’t bear to beg the Dragon King. Feeling truly helpless, he sighed, “No more! No more! I’ll go see my master again and return to the right path.” He lowered his cloud and stood before Tang Sanzang’s horse, saying, “Master, forgive this disciple! From now on, I won’t act rashly and will follow your teachings. Please, let me protect you to the West.” Tang Sanzang, seeing him, didn’t respond. He turned his horse and recited the Tight-Banded Curse. Over and over, he chanted it more than twenty times, cursing Sun Wukong to the ground. The band tightened into his flesh, about an inch deep, before he finally stopped, saying, “You won’t go back, yet you bother me again?!” Sun Wukong replied, “Don’t curse! Don’t curse! I have a place to stay, but you can’t go to the West without me.” Tang Sanzang grew angry, “You monkey, who kills and harms lives, has caused me so much trouble! I really don’t need you anymore! Whether I can go or not is none of your concern! Go, go! If you delay, I’ll chant the true incantation again. This time, I won’t stop until I squeeze out your brains!” Sun Wukong, in unbearable pain, saw his master still stubborn, and had no choice but to ride the Jin Dou Yun (Somersault Cloud) back into the air. Suddenly, he realized, “This monk has betrayed me. I’ll go to Putuo Mountain and report to Guanyin Bodhisattva.”
How great was Sun Wukong! He turned back with the Jin Dou Yun and arrived at the Southern Ocean in less than an hour. He landed his radiant aura on Laozi Peak and entered the Purple Bamboo Grove, where he met Muhua, who greeted him, “Where are you going, Great Sage?” Sun Wukong replied, “To see the Bodhisattva.” Muhua led him to the entrance of the Tide-Sound Cave. There, he met Shancai, who greeted him, “Great Sage, why are you here?” Sun Wukong said, “I have something to report to the Bodhisattva.” Shancai heard the word “report” and laughed, “You clever monkey! You still act like the one who bullied Tang Sanzang back then! Our Bodhisattva is a great compassionate and merciful, great-vow and great-bodhi, suffering-relieving Bodhisattva, boundless and holy. What fault do you have to report to her?”
Filled with frustration, Sun Wukong heard this and flew into a rage. With a roar, he pushed Shancai back. “This ungrateful, traitorous little beast is truly foolish! Back when you were a demon, I asked the Bodhisattva to tame you and follow the Dharma. Now you enjoy eternal bliss, freedom, and immortality, yet you don’t even thank me. Instead, you act so arrogant! I came here to report to the Bodhisattva, yet you call me a clever monkey reporting?!” Shancai smiled apologetically, “Still as impatient as ever. I was just joking with you. Why did you change so quickly?”
Just then, a white parrot flew around, knowing the Bodhisattva was calling. Muhua and Shancai led the way forward to the lotus platform. Sun Wukong saw the Bodhisattva and knelt, tears streaming down his face, crying aloud. The Bodhisattva had Muhua and Shancai help him up, saying, “Wukong, what sorrow fills you? Speak plainly. Don’t cry, don’t cry. I will help you relieve suffering and disasters.” Sun Wukong, still weeping, bowed again and said, “Back then, as a mortal, I endured so much injustice. Since being liberated from heavenly calamities and taking vows as a monk, I have protected Tang Sanzang to the West to seek Buddhist scriptures. I risked my life to dispel his demon obstacles, like snatching bones from a tiger’s mouth or scales from a dragon’s back. I only hoped to achieve the true Dharma, purify my karma, but who knew this monk would betray and forget gratitude, completely ignoring the truth and suffering!”
The Bodhisattva said, “Tell me the truth of this matter.” Sun Wukong recounted the entire story of killing the bandits. Tang Sanzang, resenting his killing many people, had cursed him without judgment, driving him away several times. With no way out, he came to report to the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva said, “Tang Sanzang was sent west to follow the Dharma, determined not to harm lives lightly. With your boundless powers, why must you kill so many bandits? Though bandits are ill-behaved, they are still human. It’s wrong to kill them. Killing demons and monsters is your merit, but killing humans is your fault. If you drive them away, you will save your master. Judging fairly, you have acted unwisely.”
P691-692