Session 18: The Buddha is Invited to Subdue the Monkey King
- liz zhang
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
After escaping from Laozi’s furnace, Sun Wukong wreaks even greater havoc in the celestial realm. No one in the celestial court is able to subdue him. With no other option, the Jade Emperor sends two sages to the Western Paradise to seek the help of the Buddha (Tathagata).
Session Focus:
In this session, we will contemplate a key verses from this chapter, uncovering their deeper meanings and their relevance to real life and modern society.
Key Questions for contemplation:
Q: Why couldn’t the Monkey King be harmed by swords, axes, fire, or thunder?
Q: How did Sun Wukong acquire his “fire eyes with golden pupils”?
Contemplate the following verse sentence by sentence:
To the ape's immortal body is matched a human mind:
That the mind is an ape is deeply meaningful.
It was quite true that the Great Sage equaled Heaven:
The appointment as Protector of the Horse showed no discernment.
Horse and ape together make mind and thought;
Bind them tightly together, and do not seek elsewhere.
When all phenomena are reduced to truth they follow a single pattern;
Like the Tathagatha reaching nirvana under the two trees.
Contemplate the following verse sentence by sentence:
Perfectly round,
Gleaming bright,
How can men learn to live for ever?
He can enter fire without being burned,
And go in the water but not be drowned.
He is as bright as a Mani pearl,
Swords and spears cannot harm him.
He is capable of good,
And capable of evil:
When faced with the choice between good and evil he might do either.
If he is good he becomes a Buddha or an Immortal,
If bad, he grows fur and horns.
Q4: What is described in this verse?
What is the nature of the subject described here?
Q: Who is the Buddha (Tathagata), and where does he reside?
I am Chuan, living in Prague of Czech Republic.
Everyone has both a good and an evil side within them, like the two sides of a coin. They coexist at all times and influence each other.
Sun Wukong’s journey is a reflection of this internal conflict. Before he learned the art of immortality and the 72 transformations, he was kind and friendly to everyone. No matter how others insulted him, he remained unbothered. However, as his powers grew to the point where he believed he could conquer anything, he began to change. In order to protect his fellow monkeys, he not only split the Demon King of Confusion in half but also stole weapons, seized the Golden Cudgel, ate the…
Thank you Nobu for sharing such a beautiful poem, and the inspiration that you've come along with it. "How many are the fallen flowers!" Every day, there is loss of many lives, yet for us who are still alive, how often do we truly recognize it?
I am Nobu, currently living in Prague.
Modern well-being guidance brings to light a profound truth:
"Form is born from the heart,
Destiny is created by the heart,
Destiny is also decided by the heaven.
Life is impermanent, Life and death are of great matter, To ascend or fall is critical."
Reflecting on this wisdom brings to my mind a poem by Meng HaoRan:
Spring Morning
This spring morning in bed I'm lying,
Not to awake till birds are crying.
After one night of wind and showers,
How many are the fallen flowers!
"This spring morning in bed I'm lying,"
Sun Wukong possesses the blessings most professionals desire—intelligence, confidence, skillfulness, and loyal followers. But does he use them wisely? It…