Session 8: Sun Wukong Killed the Demon King of Confusion

In this session, Sun Wukong returns to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit to find his monkey children being bullied by the Demon King of Confusion. Enraged by this injustice, Sun Wukong defeats the Demon King and his followers, burning their lair to ashes.

Key Questions for Reflection:

Q: Why did the Patriarch say to Sun Wukong, “I am sure that your life will not be a good one.”

Q: What is your out-take from the junior demon’s report, “He (Sun Wukong) isn’t dressed like a monk, or a layman, or an immortal”?

Q: How did Sun Wukong defeat the Demon King of Confusion?

Q: How many hairs does Sun Wukong have, and what is the symbolic meaning of this number?

Q: What did Sun Wukong do to the Demon King of Confusion and his followers?

Q: What happened to the cave of the Demon King of Confusion?

Q: How does Sun Wukong’s character now compare to when he was the Stone Monkey and the Handsome Monkey King meeting the Patriarch? How do these earlier traits contrast with Sun Wukong’s current actions and attitude?

Q: Why was the demon called the Demon King of Confusion? How did he treat the monkey children of the Monkey King? Was he very evil?

Q: Why was the title of Chapter 2 named “He Becomes Aware of the Wonderful Truth of Enlightenment, By Killing the Demon He Realized His Spirit-nature”? What spirit nature did Sun Wukong realize?

Come prepared to share your reflections and insights as we continue our journey together in Reading Session 8!