Session 36: The Jade Dragon (White Horse) Joins the Pilgrimage

Do you ask for help?

Do you sometimes feel that asking for help is a sign of weakness?

In this session, we’ll see that even the mighty Wukong — the Great Sage Equal to Heaven — finds himself powerless against unseen forces. It reminds us that strength alone is sometimes not enough, and that true wisdom may lie in knowing when, and how, to seek help.

As Wukong and his master Sanzang continue their journey, disaster strikes when their horse is eaten by a dragon hiding in the gorge. Despite several fierce attempts, even the Great Sage Wukong cannot find or defeat the dragon. Following the advice of the local gods, Wukong humbles himself to seek help from Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Session Focus:

We will explore why Wukong—once the invincible Great Sage Equal to Heaven—couldn’t overcome the White Dragon on his own, and why he was guided to ask for Guanyin’s help. We’ll also reflect on the early dynamics of the master-disciple relationship and what it reveals about strength, humility, and cooperation on the path of spiritual cultivation.

Key Questions for contemplation:

"But we'll never get across those thousands of mountains and rivers." As he spoke, his tears fell like rain. The sight of him crying was too much for Brother Monkey, who flared up and shouted, "Stop being such an imbecile, master. Sit there and wait while I find that wretch and make him give us back our horse."

"You mustn't go," said Sanzang, grabbing hold of him. "I'm frightened that he'll come creeping out again and kill me this time. Then I'll be dead as well as the horse, and that would be terrible."

This made Monkey angrier than ever, and he roared with a shout like thunder, "You're hopeless, absolutely hopeless. You want a horse to ride but you won't let me go. This way you'll be sitting there looking at the luggage for the rest of your life."

Q1: What does the master-disciple relationship look like in the early stage of the journey?

What qualities or character do you see in Wukong and Sanzang respectively?

Why do you think the “powerful” Wukong serves a master who appears “weak” or “vulnerable”?

“Don't be angry, Great Sage; stop crying, younger brother of the Tang Emperor. We are gods sent by the Bodhisattva Guanyin to give hidden protection to the pilgrim who is fetching the scriptures…."The Dings and Jias, the Four Duty Gods, and the Protectors of the Faith will take turns. Of the Revealers of the Five Regions, the Gold−headed Revealer will always be with you by day and by night.”

Q2: Why do you think Bodhisattva Guanyin arranged for hidden protection along the journey?

Why do you think neither Wukong nor Sanzang were told about this in advance?

Q3: What is the origin of the white horse with Bodhisattva Guanyin?

Even though Wukong had defeated countless celestial generals, why couldn’t he subdue the jade dragon—or even track it down?

The local gods said, “If you want to catch the creature, all you have to do is to ask Guanyin to come here, and it will naturally submit."

Q4: Why do the local gods tell Wukong to ask Bodhisattva Guanyin for help?

What does this reveal about the nature of true power and humility?