Session 15: The Heavenly Troop Failed to Defeat the Monkey Kin
- liz zhang
- Feb 3
- 1 min read
Session Focus:
We will analyze the intense battle between the heavenly troops and Sun Wukong, exploring why the celestial forces were unable to subdue him.
Key Questions for Reflection:
Q: Why did Sun Wukong rush back to the Water Curtain Cave after causing chaos at the Peach Banquet?
Q: How long had Sun Wukong been away, according to his fellow monkeys?
How old was he in earthly years?
Q: How did Sun Wukong react to earthly food after returning from Heaven?
What insight can we draw from this?
Q: What decision did the Jade Emperor make after hearing reports from the Queen Mother, the liquor-makers, Lao Zi, and the Barefoot Immortal about Sun Wukong’s misdeeds?
Q: How long did the battle last between Sun Wukong and the heavenly forces?
How did Sun Wukong end the battle as night approached?
Q: Why did the four Stalwart Generals and the monkeys cry three times and laugh three times upon Sun Wukong’s return?
Q: Why was not even a single monkey captured by the heavenly troops?
Q: How did Sun Wukong reflect on his victory?
What does this reveal about his character?
Q: Why do you think the heavenly army failed to defeat Sun Wukong?
In this story segment, the Heavenly Troop Failed to Defeat the Monkey King, and scenes of earth-shattering battle unfolded, still seem very relevant today.
Aren't localized wars and conflicts occurring daily in our real world? All of our notions of modernity and progress and all our advances in technological expertise have not brought an end to war.
When I consider how Sun Wukong reflected on his victory, I see him as a complex leader and warrior—one whose triumphs also brought chaos and destruction to the once peaceful and beautiful Mount Flower and Fruit.
His view of casualties as inevitable demonstrates military realism. His reference to an ancient saying suggests he sees losses as a calculated cost rather than something to…
I am Nobu, currently living in Prague.
A wise person once said, "Civilized deeds are like bells and drums awakening the conscience."
Sun Wukong avoided his usual route, and used invisible spell to rush back to his lower world; his inner thoughts told him the chaos caused by him was colossal disaster. Realizing that the disaster is a colossal one, I believe his conscience is at work.
The awakening of conscience within the carefree Sun Wukong is due to a single fact that in the upper world he was living among ones who constantly carry out civilized deeds. An ancient Chinese saying, "When mugwort grows among hemp, it becomes straight without being supported."
As a contrast, in the lower world…
I am Chuan, living in Prague of Czech Republic.
I still remember what Patriarch Subhuti said when he expelled Sun Wukong from his school: “I'm sure that your life will not be a good one. Whatever disasters you cause and crimes you commit, I forbid you under any circumstances to call yourself my disciple.”
Patriarch Subhuti must have sensed that Sun Wukong's character would lead to big trouble. Sure enough, after Sun Wukong returned to Mount Flower and Fruit, he first killed the Demon King of Confusion, then used magic to steal weapons, went to the Dragon King's palace and took the Golden Cudgel, went to the Underworld and erased his name from the Book of Life and Death, and…