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08 The Stolen Cassock

By noon the dark fellow called, "I am hungry — time for my meal!" He feinted a thrust, turned and went into the cave, shut the stone gates, and would not come out again. Unable to force the gates, Wukong went back to the Guanyin Monastery and told the Tang Monk how the bear spirit had stolen the cassock. The monks listening beside them murmured, "Namo Amitabha! At least our lives are spared." After a meatless meal Wukong rode the clouds back to Black Wind Mountain. On the way he saw a small demon coming down the highroad with a rosewood box under his arm. Wondering what the box might hold, Wukong dropped from the cloud and with one blow of his staff flattened the demon into a pancake. He opened the box: inside was an invitation from the bear spirit, bidding the Venerable Jinchi to the Buddha Robe Gathering. Wukong read it and roared with laughter. "Jinchi died not a moment too soon — he was in league with demons! Now old Sun will take his shape and fetch the cassock back from Black Wind Cave." With a shake of his body Wukong took on the shape and likeness of the Venerable Jinchi. He strode to the mouth of Black Wind Cave and called, "Open up!" The little demon opened the gate, knew him for Jinchi, and asked him in. Wukong walked as far as the courtyard, where peach and plum vied in bloom and clusters of orchids gave off their scent — a quiet enough spot. Then the bear spirit came out to meet him. "Old friend Jinchi, come in and sit!" When they were seated in the hall Wukong said, "This poor monk came by a cassock last night, but before he could spread it out to look, the monastery caught fire and it was lost. I hear it was your great good fortune, King, that gathered it in. I dare not ask for its return — only to be allowed one more look." "Is that all?" said the bear with a laugh. "I will fetch it." But even as he rose, a demon out on patrol came hurrying in. "My king, the messenger sent to invite Jinchi lies dead by the roadside. It must be that monkey, changed into Jinchi to trick you out of the robe!" Hearing this, the bear thought: no wonder Jinchi came so fast — this is Sun Wukong! He snatched up his spear and thrust at once. Wukong drew out his staff, resumed his true shape, and parried the point. They fought from the hall out through the cave mouth, and from the cave mouth up to the mountain top, until mist spouted and wind howled, sand flew and stones rolled. They fought on until the red sun sank in the west, with neither the better. The bear called, "Sun, it is late. We will settle this another day!" He turned into a clear breeze, slipped back into the cave, and shut the gate behind him. With no plan left, Wukong returned to the Guanyin Monastery. The Tang Monk had been waiting for him eagerly, and when he saw the cassock was still not recovered he could not help reproaching him — and Wukong himself felt ashamed. Early the next morning Wukong said, "The whole business is Guanyin's fault. If she keeps a monastery here, why must she have a demon for a neighbour? I am going to the South Sea to argue it out with her!" And he mounted a cloud and was gone. Arriving at the South Sea he saw Guanyin and burst out, "Bodhisattva, how much has that black bear bribed you, that you let him dwell beside your monastery? He has stolen my master's cassock and will not give it back, and old Sun has come to demand it of you!"

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