Session 38: Wukong Shows Off the Cassock and Disturbs the Mind of the Aged Monk

In a world that often feels increasingly unsafe and complex, many of us search for a sense of grounding and clarity. One of the first essential forms of life wisdom is learning how to guard our physical safety. This week, the episode invites us to observe how easily the mind can be stirred—by wealth, beauty, and status—and how such disturbances can invite unnecessary dangers.

Session Focus:

In this session, we will examine the contrasting mindsets and habits of Wukong, Sanzang, the aged Monk, and the monks at Guanyin Temple. We will also reflect on how desires or comparison may unwittingly invite danger into our lives.

Key Questions for contemplation:

A young page brought in three cloisonne teacups on a jade tray the color of mutton fat, and another carried in a white alloy teapot from which he poured out three cups of fragrant tea…."What splendid things," Sanzang said, "what splendid things. Wonderful tea in wonderful vessels."

Q1: What do you observe in this scene of tea presentation?

What does Sanzang’s praise of the tea ware reveal about his mindset?

The abbot asked: "What treasures did you bring with you from your superior country that I could have a look at?” Sanzang replied, ”I'm afraid our Eastern land has no great treasures, and even if it did, I would have been unable to bring them on so long a journey."

Q2: What does this question reveal about the abbot’s values?

How does Sanzang’s reply reflect his mindset and values?

The abbot of the monastery replied. "A priest of my rank has two or three dozen, cassocks and our Patriarch, who has been a monk here for two hundred and fifty or sixty years, has seven or eight hundred." He ordered them to be brought out and displayed.” …… Monkey examined the cassocks one by one and saw that some were made of brocade and some were embroidered with gold.

Q3: What does the abbot’s pride in possessions tell us about his mindset?

Why was Wukong so curious about the cassocks?

"Enough, enough, enough," the monkey said. "I'll bring our out for you to take a look at."

Sanzang drew Monkey aside and whispered to him, "Disciple, never try to compete with other people's wealth, you and I are alone in this foreign land, and I'm afraid that there may be trouble."

"What trouble can come from letting him look at the cassock?" Monkey asked.

"You don't understand," Sanzang replied. "The ancients used to say, 'Don't let greedy and treacherous men see rare or amusing things.' If he lays his eyes on it, his mind will be disturbed, and if his mind is disturbed, he's bound to start scheming. If you were cautious, you would only have let him see it if he'd insisted; but as it is, this is no trifling matter, and may well be the end of us.”

"Don't worry, don't worry," said Brother Monkey, "I'll look after everything.”

Watch as without another word of argument he rushes off and opens the bundle, which is already giving off a radiant glow.

Q4: What does this exchange reveal about Wukong’s character and tendencies?

Why did Sanzang caution him?

What life wisdom do you gain from Sanzang’s gentle warning?

Q5: Looking back at the lesson of the Six Bandits (Session 34), what deeper understanding do you gain from this episode?

Q6: Have you encountered any real-life situations or stories that echo the themes in this chapter?

How did comparison, pride or showiness affect safety or well-being?