Session 65: Pig Moves the Monkey King Through His Goodness

When the White Horse transforms back into a dragon to rescue his master Sanzang, he bravely battles the Yellow-Robed Demon but is badly wounded. Discouraged and overwhelmed, Pigsy considers abandoning the pilgrimage and returning to secular life. It is the wounded dragon who pleads with Pigsy, urging him not to give up but instead to seek out Monkey King. Reluctantly, Pigsy journeys to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits. Through a mix of clumsy honesty, emotional vulnerability, and inherent goodness, Pigsy gradually softens Monkey King’s heart and persuades him to return, setting the stage for his beginner's mind and reunion with his master.

Session Focus:
This session explores how sincere words, moral clarity, and emotional courage awaken responsibility. We will reflect on how the White Horse persuades Pigsy not to abandon the path, and how Pigsy, despite fear, guilt, and weakness, moves Monkey King to return. Together, we contemplate how trust is rebuilt and how a shared mission is restored through sincerity rather than force.

Key Questions for contemplation:

"Do you know that our master is in danger?" the horse asked.
"No," Pig replied.
"You wouldn't," said the horse. "When you and Friar Sand were showing off in front of the king you thought you'd be able to catch the monster and be rewarded for it. Little did you imagine that his powers would be too much for you. You should be ashamed of the way you've come back by yourself without even having any news to report.…”
Q1: What do you learn about the White Horse from his words and his judgment of Pigsy and Friar Sand?
What values does the horse embody at this critical moment?

"What are we to do?" said Pig. "Can you move?"
"What if I can?" said the dragon.
"If you can move," said Pig, "then make your way back to the sea: I'll take the luggage back to Gao Village and be a married man again."
The dragon's reaction to this was to bite hard on Pig's tunic and not let him go. Tears rolled down his face as he said, "Please don't give up, elder brother."
"What else can I do but give up?" said Pig. "Friar Sand has been captured by him, and I can't beat him, so what can we do but break up now?"
The dragon thought for a moment before replying, still in tears, "Don't even talk about breaking up, brother. All you need do to rescue the master is to ask someone to come here.”
Q2: What habits and states of mind do you observe in Pigsy during this exchange with the dragon?
What do you learn about the dragon’s role and character in this episode, especially through his tears and persistence?

Pig replied: "Monkey hasn't been on the best of terms with me since he killed the White Bone Spirit on White Tiger Ridge. He's angry with me for encouraging the master to say the Band−tightening Spell. I only meant it as a joke−−how was I to know the old monk would really say it and drive him away? Goodness knows how furious he is with me. He definitely won't come. I'm no match for him with my tongue, and if he's disrespectful enough to hit me a few times with that murderous great cudgel of his, it'll be the death of me."
"Of course he won't hit you," said the dragon. "He's a kind and decent Monkey King. When you see him don't tell him that the master's in trouble. Just say, 'The master's missing you.' Once you've lured him here and he sees the situation he won't possibly be angry. He's bound to want to fight the monster….”
"Oh well," said Pig, "oh well. As you're so determined I'll have to go, or else I'll look half−hearted. If Monkey's prepared to come, I'll come back with him; but if he isn't, then don't expect me−−I won't be back."
"Go," said the dragon. "I promise he'll come."
Q3: Why does Pigsy resist going to ask Monkey King for help?
What insight and strategy does the White Horse use that ultimately persuades Pigsy to go?

"Then why have you come here?" asked Monkey.
"The master sent me here to ask you back as he's missing you," answered Pig.
"He hasn't asked me back," said Monkey, "and he doesn't miss me. He swore an oath by Heaven and wrote a letter of dismissal, so he couldn't possibly miss me or have sent you all this way to ask me back. It certainly wouldn't be right for me to go."
"He's really missing you," said Pig, lying desperately, "he really is."
"Why?" asked Monkey.
"He called out 'disciple' when he was riding along. I didn't hear, and Friar Sand is deaf, so he started missing you and saying that we two were hopeless. He said that you were intelligent and clever, and that you always answered whenever he called. This made him miss you so badly that he sent me over here specially to ask you to come back.…”
Q4: Why do Pigsy’s lies fail to convince Monkey King?
What does this reveal about Monkey’s discernment and Pigsy’s inner conflict?

"Elder brother," pleaded Pig, kowtowing desperately, "I beg you to spare me for our master's sake." "That good and kind master? Never!" said Monkey.
"If he won't do," begged Pig, "then spare me for the Bodhisattva's sake." The mention of the Bodhisattva made Monkey relent slightly.
"Now you've said that I won't have you flogged," he replied. "But you must tell me straight and without lying where the Tang Priest is in trouble−−which is presumably why he sent you to try and trick me.”
"He isn't in trouble," Pig protested, "he's honestly missing you."
"You really deserve a beating," said Monkey, "for still trying to hood−wink me, you moron. Although I've been back in the Water Curtain Cave, I've stayed with the pilgrim in my mind. The master must have been in trouble at every step he has taken. Tell me about it at once if you don't want that flogging.”
Q4: Why does the mention of Guanyin Bodhisattva soften Monkey King’s attitude?
What do you read in Monkey’s words about staying “with the pilgrim in his mind,” even while physically absent?

"Idiot," said Monkey, "I told you over and over again before leaving that if any evil monsters captured the master you were to tell them I am his senior disciple. Why didn't you mention me?" Pig reflected that to a warrior a challenge was more effective than an invitation and said, "It would have been fine if we hadn't used your name. It was only when I mentioned you that he went wild.” …
Monkey said, "I didn't have to go before, but now he's insulted me I must capture him. Let's be off.” …
Q5: Is Pigsy wise to provoke Monkey King by challenging his authority and reputation?
Why is this confrontational approach effective in moving Monkey King to action?

His panic−stricken monkey subjects tried to stop him, saying, "Where are you going, Your Majesty, Great Sage? Wouldn't it be fun to rule us for a few more years?"
"What are you saying, little ones?" replied Monkey. "I have to protect the Tang Priest. Everyone in Heaven and Earth knows that I am the Tang Priest's disciple. He didn't really drive me away. He just wanted me to take a trip home and have a little relaxation. …."
Q6: How do you understand Monkey King’s determination to restore his role as Sanzang’s disciple?
Looking back, how does this perspective help you reinterpret Sanzang’s earlier dismissal of Monkey? Was it rejection, training, or something more subtle?

When Monkey and Pig had crossed the Eastern Sea, he stopped at the Western shore and said, "You carry on at your own speed while I take a bath in the sea."
"We're in a terrible hurry," said Pig. "You can't take a bath now?"
"You wouldn't understand," Monkey replied. "While I was at home I developed rather a devil−stink, and I'm afraid that with his passion for cleanliness the master would object." Only then did Pig realize that Monkey really was being sincere and single−minded.
Q7: What does Monkey King’s desire to bathe before returning reveal about his inner transformation?
How do you understand the meaning of “devil-stink”?
Why does Pigsy realize, in this moment, that Monkey King is truly sincere and single-minded?

Take your time with this chapter. Notice how sincerity outperforms cleverness, and how responsibility is rekindled through moral resonance. Bring your lived experiences, hesitations, and quiet recognitions into our shared circle.

📚 Self-Study & Preparation:
https://chine.in/fichiers/jourwest.pdf
Chapter 30 (page 429 - 436).

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