Monkey is a fictional myth and Buddhism-inspired. It has been associated with Ming Dynasty scholar Wu Cheng’en. The anthology begins with the journey of Buddhist monk Xuanzang (Tripitaka) to the western regions. He aims to find the Buddhist sacred texts based on the real-life monk who was displeased with the available materials in his locale (Wu Ch’eng-en, 78).
Monkey or Sun Wukong belonged to a monkey tribe who earned the honor by discovering the Water Curtain Cave (Wu Ch’eng-en, 63). He became a king of the tribe, but very proud and impatient. He sought immortality through the help of Bodhi, a Buddhist patriarch. Monkey was able to speak as human and gained human manners by joining Bodhi’s travels. Through Bodhi, he learned a lot and declared himself “Great Sage Equal to heaven” after learning the art of Tao, the secrets of immortality, many forms of fighting skills, and transformations. Aside from being strong, he is a speed traveler and somersaults like a cloud. He can transform into various kinds of objects, any animal, and as human, except that he cannot make his tail disappear (Wu Ch’eng-en, 72). His hair is also magical and he can make them turn into anything he wishes to.
After being thrown out by Bodhi, he became one of the most powerful demons in the world (102). He, however, fought with Hell when his soul was being summoned, and even erased his name from the book of life and death. He was reported to Heaven and summoned there to become a stable worker. But hard-headed as he was, Monkey often complained violently. He has reassigned another place to look after which is the Peach Garden of Immortality. Here, peaches that take several centuries to ripen were kept. Monkey ate a lot of the peaches which made him immortal. Heaven was displeased as Monkey once again became riotous and fought with the mighty Buddha himself. After losing the fight, he was kept prisoner for 500 years (Wu Ch’eng-en, 106).
It was during this period that Xuanzang released Monkey by accepting him as his disciple. However, his actions are balanced through the band placed on him by Guan Yin or Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. They also recruited two other outcasts from Heaven: Sandy and Pigsy (Wu Ch’eng-en, 148).
Monkey’s character is that of playful and cunning. The changes in Monkey during these events in the first few chapters include his acquisition of powers that made him undefeated, therefore, extremely proud about it. During the journey with Xuanzang, he started to accept his limitations as being subject and not the authority, which could have been unlikely considering his strength, capabilities to change into various forms, and his being immortal. Monkey’s ordeal in the Ba gua or eight symbols used in Taoist cosmology experienced as yin yang also made Monkey acknowledge reality.
Other changes in Monkey include his gain of wisdom no matter how slowly these have happened in the various obstacles and challenges their group went through during the journey. By using the band to chastise Guan Yin, Monkey learned humility. Despite the many battles encountered by Xuanzang’s protectors against monsters, demons and mortal enemies, the story also emphasizes the Buddhist philosophy of peace. Throughout the journey, Monkey was able to establish his faithfulness to the mission and was finally granted the tile of a Buddha. Here, Monkey was able to establish himself capable of being more than he was before- proud, power-hungry, and impatient – into a loyal bodyguard for Xuanzang until the return to China.
Work Cited
Wu Ch’eng-en. (translated by Arthur Waley). Monkey. John Day Company Inc. 1943. Renewed 1970.