Session 7: Sun Wukong wanting to avoid the “Three Disasters”
- liz zhang
- Dec 17, 2024
- 1 min read
In this session, we explore Sun Wukong’s continued journey after receiving the Way of Immortality. Three years into his practice, the Patriarch assembled his students and taught them about the “Three Disasters,” a revelation that terrified Sun Wukong. Determined to avoid these calamities, he begged his master to teach him the seventy-two transformations and the “somersault cloud.” However, his display of newfound skills led to his expulsion from the Three Stars Cave by the Patriarch.
Session Focus:
This session will delve into Sun Wukong’s motivations for mastering the seventy-two transformations and the somersault cloud to avoid the “Three Disasters.” We’ll also reflect on the complexities of Sun Wukong’s character, as revealed through his actions and the Patriarch’s decision to expel him.
Key Questions for Reflection:
Q: What was the Way of immortality taught by the Patriarch? How did Sun Wukong practice this Way mindfully after receiving it?
Q: What are the ‘Three Disasters’? How would you explain their meaning in plain words?
Q: If Sun Wukong had already learned the Way of Immortality, why did he still fear the “Three Disasters”?
Q: Can the seventy-two transformations help Sun Wukong avoid the “Three Disasters”?
What do these transformations represent, symbolically or practically?
Q: What purposes do the seventy-two transformations and the somersault cloud serve?
What limitations do they have?
Do we, in our own lives, have equivalents to these skills?
Q: Why did the Patriarch drive Sun Wukong out of the Three Stars Cave?
What do you think the Patriarch was trying to teach Sun Wukong through this action?
Q: What do Sun Wukong’s actions and reactions under the Patriarch reveal about his character?
I am currently living in Czech Republic.
When the monkey king was been asked to leave by the patriarch, I felt sorry for him; the feeling also goes to my own experience that when I began something with good intention and strong passion, but eventually it turned a stressful burden and bitter taste; for example, at work, I enjoyed it at the beginning, like the monkey king was a sincere and humble beginner; however, as I gradually receives recognitions, like the monkey king was recognized by the patriarch, my pride grows so does my ignorance. In the book, the monkey king used words like "you're talking rubbish…" towards the patriarch and showed off his skills to the others; I remember…
I am Chuan, living in Prague of Czech Republic.
Although Sun Wukong has learned the art of immortality, he still has to face the trials of the three disasters. From everyone's sharing, my current understanding of the three disasters is as follows: thunderbolt represents trials from heaven, hidden fire symbolizes hatred, resentment and conflicts within oneself, and monster wind represents praise and flattery from others, which can lead to arrogance.
Although Sun Wukong mastered the 72 transformations and the somersault cloud, these were only external skills. Although he could change into any form and fly to faraway places on the somersault cloud, if he could not overcome the hatred, resentment, conflicts and negative thoughts in his heart, these external abilities…