Session 11: Sun Wukong is Appointed Protector of the Horses
- liz zhang
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
Session Focus:
We will explore the workings of the celestial court, examining how the Jade Emperor handles reports about Sun Wukong’s behavior. We will also discuss why Sun Wukong was offered the position of Protector of the Horses and reflect on his actions and attitude in the Celestial Heaven.
Key Questions for Reflection:
Q: Who presented the memorials/reports to the Jade Emperor?
Q: How did the Old Dragon King and the ministers of the Underworld take their leave from the Jade Emperor? What do you learn from this?
Q: What was the decision by the Jade Emperor, and what did the Great White Planet suggest?
Q: What is your impression of the celestial realm’s hierarchy and the way the Jade Emperor handled the reports?
"Ask him in at once," Sun Wukong shouted, hastily straightening his clothes and going out to meet the envoy.
Q: What does this action reveal about Sun Wukong’s behavior and the etiquette he learned from the Patriarch?
Replied the Great White Planet, "as I am carrying a divine edict, so may I ask Your Majesty to come back with me now? We can talk at leisure after your glorious elevation."
Q: What do you learn from the Great White Planet’s speech and tone?
Q: How did Sun Wukong behave in his first time in the celestial court?
The Jade Emperor announced, "Sun Wukong is a demon Immortal of the lower world who has only just obtained human form, so he is not acquainted with court procedure. We shall forgive him this time."
Q: What do you learn from the Jade Emperor’s words about his leadership and approach to dealing with Sun Wukong?
Q: What position was Sun Wukong offered, and why do you think this job was given to him?
I am Chuan, living in Prague of Czech Republic.
I still remember when the Monkey King first learned to crawl and walk, he bowed in all directions to show his gratitude for the heaven and earth.
When the Monkey King met the disciples of the Subhuti Patriarch, he also bowed respectfully. When he met the Subhuti Patriarch, he bowed deeply, banging his head on the ground, doing it many times in front of him.
However, after Sun Wukong learned the immortality spell and the 72 transformations, his behavior was very different from before. When he met the Jade Emperor, Sun Wukong stood straight next to the Great White planet and ignored any court etiquette, focusing only on listening to the…