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26 The Lesser Thunder Monastery

The Bodhisattva King of Teachers said, "Today's matter calls for me to go in person. But I have newly subdued the Water-Ape Great Sage, and I fear that if I depart, he will run wild beyond anyone's control. Instead I will send my disciple to lead four generals and go with you to subdue the demon." Wukong thanked him, and together with the four generals and Prince Xiao Zhang mounted clouds and returned to Little Western Heaven, arriving at the Little Thunderclap Monastery. Prince Xiao Zhang wielded a white paper lance, the four generals swung four damascus swords, and with Wukong they advanced to hurl insults and challenge the foe. The demon king led his horde clamoring forth and cried, "Ape! Whom have you summoned this time?" Prince Xiao Zhang directed his four generals and stepped forward, shouting, "Wicked demon! I am a disciple of the Bodhisattva King of Teachers, the Great Sage of Sizhou, commanding four divine generals under orders to capture you!" The demon king sneered, "What skill has you child, that you dare come here and show contempt?" Prince Xiao Zhang flew into a rage, thrust his lance straight at him, and the four generals attacked together. Wukong struck alongside with his iron rod. The demon king swung his wolf-tooth club, blocking left and parrying right, charging straight and lunging across. They fought a long time with neither side gaining victory. The demon undid his bag once more. Wukong called, "Everyone, beware!" The prince and the others, not knowing what "beware" meant, were wondering when the monster gave a crash and swept the four generals and the prince into the bag. Wukong, having foreseen it, had already risen into the air and escaped. Wukong saw the monster withdraw his troops and shut the gates. He stood on the western slope, gazing desolately and weeping in grief. Just at that miserable moment, a colorful cloud descended from the southwest, and rain fell in sheets across the mountaintop. A voice called, "Wukong, do you know me?" Wukong hurried forward to look. The man had a square face and large ears, a broad and stout body, eyes bright as autumn waves, a bosom full of spring warmth. His loose sleeves fluttered, his straw sandals trailed carelessly. Truly he was: the foremost lord of the Paradise of Bliss, Maitreya the Laughing Buddha. Wukong promptly bowed low. The Buddha said, "I have come expressly to subdue the demon of the Little Thunderclap Monastery." Wukong said, "I am deeply grateful for your great virtue and kindness. May I ask what manner of monster that demon is, and what treasure is that bag of his?" The Buddha said, "He is a yellow-browed acolyte who tended the chime before me. On the third day of the third month, I went to attend the Primordial Assembly and left him to guard my palace. He stole several of my treasures, impersonated the Buddha, and became a demon. That bag is my Posterior Pouch, commonly called the 'Man-Seed Bag.' That wolf-tooth club is nothing but a chime-striking mallet." Wukong cried aloud, "Fine laughing Buddha you are! You let this boy run loose, allowing him to impersonate the Buddha and entrap Old Sun — surely this shows lax discipline in your household!" Maitreya said, "Partly it is my own lack of vigilance, partly because your master and disciples have not yet completed your trials and must suffer these tribulations." Wukong said, "This demon's powers are vast — how can he be subdued?" Maitreya secretly taught Wukong a stratagem, telling him he need only do thus-and-so to lure the demon. Wukong said, "Though the plan is clever, why should the demon consent to follow me?" Maitreya smiled and said, "Give me your hand — I will teach you a magic art." Wukong extended his left hand. Maitreya dipped the index finger of his right hand in divine water from his mouth and wrote the character "forbid" on Wukong's palm, telling him to clench his fist, and when he faced the demon, to open his hand — the demon would then follow him of its own accord. Wukong gladly accepted the instruction. Holding his iron rod in one hand, he marched to the temple gate and shouted, "Demon! Your Grandfather Sun is back! Come out and let us settle this!" The minor demons rushed to report. The demon king asked, "How many troops has he brought to challenge us?" A minion said, "Only himself." The demon king laughed, "That monkey has exhausted his schemes and strength, with nowhere left to turn for help — he has surely come to die." The demon king donned his armor, took his treasures, and walked out wielding his soft wolf-tooth club, calling, "Sun Wukong, this time you cannot hold out!" Wukong cursed, "Monster, you know not life from death — taste my blow!"

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