Reading Notes: The Monkey King Sun Wu Kung, Part A

 

Sun Wukong
Art by maikonkon (Tumblr)

Title: The Monkey King Sun Wu Kung
Author: Wilhelm
Link: Here

Born from a rock, absorbing power from heaven and earth, sun and moon, from which came the egg of Sun Wu Kung. He had golden radiance that shot up to the highest heavens, that the Lord sent Thousandmile-Eye and Fine-Ear to find out who caused it. Sun Wu Kung was underestimated and seen as not a threat.

Very youthful and young. Halcyon days playing when he was young. Jumped through a waterfall to be king of the apes, and found a hidden bridge. There they found a castle and stone treasure. Theme of stone. Became their ruler and lived happily with the other monkeys as his court and people for 300 years.

Sun Wu Kung suddenly realized his mortality and feared it. He learns that he now thirsts for truth, and to live free of death he has to either be a Buddha, a blessed spirit, or a god. He decided to leave to learn the secret of immortality from them. He sailed through the Great Sea to Asia. Passed as a human in human clothing, and learned to act well-bred through his travels. Nine years passed and he decided to pass the Western Sea to find the gods. In the land of the West, he found a man singing in a way he thought blesses spirits should.

He bowed down to a woodcutter, who points him to a saint called "The Discerner." There the master gave him the name Sun Wu Kung. He was taught small chores, manners, how to work in fields and gardens. Also, to write. When the master spoke of the great truth, Sun Wu Kung was so excited he began to dance and he was called out for his lingering wildness.

He refused all lessons if they would not grant him eternal life. His master struck him three times in frustration and entered his door, which Wu Kung deciphered as a code for him to come at third watch, through the back door. His master taught him the secret. He was a quick learner. He learned eternal life, how to protect himself, and how to fly by walking on clouds. He also learned how to move without space limitation by somersault.

He was banished due to misuse of power. While he was gone from his kingdom, the Devil-King wanted his kingdom. He proved himself in battle for the first time, using his hairs to transform into little apes and his nimble and furious fists. Killed the Devil-King and returned home with his rescued monkeys.

This taught him the importance of militarizing. He sought steel, so he stole it. But he needed a new weapon, so he went to the Dragon-King of the Eastern Sea. Every weapon was too light for him. The Dragon-Queen pointed him to the rod of the Great Yu that could change size at will. The Eastern King called his brothers to help with giving him armor -- golden mail, magic boots, and a magic helmet.

While he was sleeping he was dragged to the Underworld and was furious, scaring the ten Princes of the Dead. He scratched his name from the Book of Life along with the other monkeys. They now all had eternal life.