The Chinese classic, “Journey to the West,” has held a special place in the hearts of readers for centuries. Other than its adventurous spirit, Grandmaster JinBodhi reveals that it divulges Buddhist cultivation methods, secrets to enlightenment, and even keys to success in life!
Has this piqued your interest to read further?
Let’s explore “Journey to the West” with Grandmaster JinBodhi, to gain insights into Buddhist and Taoist teachings. In this series you will discover timeless lessons that are beneficial in personal, social, and ethical development.
This article will highlight the origin of Sun Wukong, the heart character in “Journey to the West,” and his quest to pursuit immortality.
A legendary was born: Sun Wukong
To begin with, the heart of “Journey to the West,” is none other than Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. He is known for his incredible strength, boundless curiosity, and mischievous personality.
The birth of Sun Wukong is exceptionally unique.
The story begins in a faraway land called Aolai, where a mountain named Flower and Fruit Mountain stood tall. Atop this mountain, there was a large, round rock. After countless years, this rock became spiritually awakened. For two to three days, it radiated a faint light and gradually emitting subtle warmth.
One day, the rock cracked and broke, emerged a stone monkey, fathered by the Heavens and mothered by the Earth. This stone monkey is the legendary Sun Wukong. Grandmaster JinBodhi explains that the birth of Sun Wukong is a divine event. The stone gave birth to him, therefore Heaven and Earth are his parents.
How did Sun Wukong get crowned as the King?
Sun Wukong was curious and fascinated by the wonders of the world around him. He began to explore the lush and vibrant Flower and Fruit Mountain with a group of friendly monkeys he met along the way.
One day, while wandering, they stumbled upon a beautiful waterfall cascading down the mountain, shimmering with gold and silver threads and adorned with sparkling pearls.
Curious about what lay behind this waterfall, Sun Wukong asked the others if they had ever ventured inside. To his surprise, none had dared to cross it. Looking at the large body of water, the monkeys discussed their limited swimming abilities and the chance of either drowning or hitting the rocks if they tried to leap across. They were afraid to take the leap.
Then, Sun Wukong proposed a challenge: if he could successfully jump across, all of them have to obey his commands. They agreed, “OK. We’ve never been behind the waterfall. It could be fun. If you get there and lead us the way, we’ll crown you our king.”
Crouching down and closing his eyes, Sun Wukong concentrated. Then with a powerful thrust, he successfully leaped through the waterfall. Inside, he discovered a large stone tablet inscribed with the words The Blessed Land of Flower and Fruit Mountain; The Heavenly Grotto of Water-Curtain Cave.
This Water-Curtain Cave behind the waterfall was incredibly big. It was large enough to accommodate a thousand monkeys, and fully furnished with stone furniture and household items. Grandmaster JinBodhi states that the furniture was not placed by anyone in the cave. It is naturally occurring. This is miraculous.
Since then, the monkeys lived happily in the cave, and kept their promise to address Sun Wukong as their King.
The Quest to Pursuit Immortality
In the blink of an eye, they have lived in the cave for 300 to 500 years. One day, Sun Wukong was struck by a deep sense of unease, a premonition that his happiness and his companions might not be eternal.
At that moment, an old monkey stood out from the crowd. He said, “In this world, there are three beings who escape reincarnation and live as long as the Heavens, and they are Buddhas, Immortals, and Deities. They reside in the ancient caves and celestial mountains, but they are hard to find.” After hearing this, Sun Wukong intended to seek them out.
The next day, Sun Wukong furiously began his quest. He set off alone on a small wooden raft.
The journey was perilous. First, Sun Wukong crossed the vast seas to the Southern Continent of Jambu, and then to the distant Western Continent of Cattle-Gift. At last, luck was with him, he encountered a woodcutter who directed him to the mystical Slanted Moon, Three Star Cave, where he met the immortal Master Subodhi.
Through his unwavering determination, he became the disciple of the immortal Master Subodhi. The name Sun Wukong, was bestowed by Master Subodhi, meaning “Awakened to Emptiness.”
The Distinctive Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong’s birth from a stone hold a profound symbolic significance. According to Grandmaster JinBodhi, Sun Wukong is different from ordinary monkeys and humans. His miraculous origin signifies his unique nature and the destiny that awaits him.
Grandmaster JinBodhi highlights the different approaches of Sun Wukong and the Old Monkey to pursuit spiritual cultivation and enlightenment. The Old Monkey understands the path to immortality, but he chooses not to act upon it.
In contrast, Sun Wukong possesses a strong desire to pursuit immortality, as he hopes to secure a future free from the constraints of mortality for his loved ones. He is motivated and willing to take immediate action upon knowing what needs to be done.
Grandmaster JinBodhi emphasizes that Sun Wukong’s bold decision to leave behind his comfortable life on Flower and Fruit Mountain illustrates his determination to fulfill his mission. In the next episode we will uncover what skills did Wukong learn from Master Subodhi.
To discover this series on YouTube:
Journey to the West with Grandmaster JinBodhi Episode 1
Journey to the West with Grandmaster JinBodhi Episode 2
