Home > Journey to the West > 23-false-monkey-king

23 The False Monkey King

The two Wukongs fought an even match along the way, and in a trice they were outside the Thunderclap Monastery on the Vulture Peak of the Great Western Heaven. At that moment, the four great Bodhisattvas, the eight great Vajras, the five hundred Arhats, the three thousand Guardians, the bhikshunis, the bhikshus, the upasakas, and the upasikas, the whole holy multitude, were all seated below the Seven-Jeweled Lotus Platform, listening to the Buddha's sermon. The two Wukongs forced their way into the hall, and the eight great Vajras hurried forward to bar their path, asking, "Where are you going?" The two of them said, "A monster has taken on our likeness. We beg the Buddha to tell the true from the false for us." The two Wukongs shouted all the way up to the platform and knelt before the Buddha, telling him the whole story. The whole holy multitude heard them and looked carefully, but none could tell them apart. Only the Buddha knew the truth in his heart. He was just about to reveal it when, suddenly, he saw Guanyin arrive on a colored cloud. The Buddha asked, "Reverend Guanyin, of those two Wukongs, which is the true and which the false?" The Bodhisattva said, "Your disciple cannot tell them apart either." The Buddha said with a smile, "The false Wukong is the Six-Eared Macaque. This monkey is skilled at hearing sounds, knows what happens a thousand li away, can discern reason, and knows what is past and to come." The false Wukong, hearing the Buddha reveal his true form, was struck with terror. He leapt up at once and tried to flee. The four great Bodhisattvas and the eight great Vajras all rushed up together and closed in around the false Wukong. The false Wukong, with his hair standing on end in terror and fearing he could not escape, hurriedly transformed into a bee and flew up. The Buddha tossed up the golden alms bowl, and it came down and covered the bee. The gods did not know what had happened and thought the monster had escaped. The Buddha said with a smile, "The monster has not gone. It is under this alms bowl of mine." The gods stepped forward and lifted the bowl, and the monster there revealed its true form — indeed, it was a Six-Eared Macaque. Wukong could not help swinging his golden-hooped rod and, with one blow, beat the Six-Eared Macaque to death. The Buddha said to Wukong, "The true and the false have been told. Hasten to escort the Tang Monk here to seek the scriptures." Wukong said, "I am afraid the Master will not take me back. I beg the Buddha to loosen this golden hoop on my head and let me return to lay life." The Buddha said, "I will have Guanyin escort you there. He will not dare refuse you." Guanyin led Wukong back to the Tang Monk, and said, "Your trials are not yet over. You will still need Wukong to protect you along the way if you are to reach Vulture Peak, worship the Buddha, and fetch the scriptures." The Tang Monk kowtowed and said, "I will obey your teaching." And so Wukong and his Master made peace once more and were reconciled. By this time Bajie had also fetched the luggage back from Flower-Fruit Mountain. The four Master and disciples thanked the Bodhisattva, gathered up their luggage and horses, and made their way westward along the main road. To know what happened next, please read the next volume, "Flaming Mountain."

 8/9   Home Previous 6 7 8 9 Next Last