Reading Club: Journey to the West

When Wukong returns from begging for food, he discovers that Sanzang, Pigsy, and Friar Sand have disappeared from the protective circle. After learning from the mountain deities that his master and fellow disciples have been captured by a powerful demon, Wukong confronts the demon in fierce combat.
After thirty rounds of fighting, neither side has gained the upper hand. The demon, however, suddenly reveals a gleaming white ring and throws it into the air. The ring catches Wukong’s gold-banded cudgel, leaving him disarmed and empty-handed.

Realizing that the demon possesses extraordinary power, Wukong goes to the Heavenly Court to investigate whether the demon might be an evil star descended from Heaven because of an attachment to worldly things. His investigation proves fruitless. The Jade Emperor then sends Heavenly King Li and Prince Nezha with celestial troops to subdue the demon. Yet even Nezha’s weapons are caught by the demon’s mysterious white ring.

🌱 Session Focus:
We will explore the deeper meaning of Wukong losing his golden cudgel—a weapon that has accompanied him throughout his journey. What does the cudgel represent? Why does Wukong lose it at this stage of the journey? And what happens when someone who has always relied on his own power suddenly finds himself empty-handed?

Key Questions for contemplation:

After thirty inconclusive rounds the demon king could see that Sun Wukong was a complete master of the
cudgel who could advance or retreat without leaving any openings. "What a splendid ape," he kept saying with admiration, "what a splendid ape. This was the skill that made havoc in Heaven."
Monkey too was impressed by the demon king's neat spearwork as he parried to left and right with great skill. "What a splendid spirit," he said, "what a splendid spirit. He really is a demon who would know how to steal elixir pills."
Q1: What do you see in the mutual appreciation between Wukong and the demon?
Why can Wukong recognize the demon's strength instead of simply seeing him as an enemy?
What can we learn from being able to recognize strength, skill, or virtue even in someone who stands against us?

"Behave yourself, ape," said the demon with a mocking laugh, "and watch this trick." He immediately pulled
out from his sleeve a gleaming white ring that he threw up into the air with a shout of "Get them!" It came
whirling down, catching all the gold−banded cudgels inside it, and forcing Monkey to somersault away for his
life as he was now disarmed. While the demon king returned to his cave in triumph Brother Monkey was at
his wit's end.
The Way grew by one foot but the demon grew by ten.
Blind and confused, they failed to see that the house was fake.
Alas there was no place to be found for the dharma body:
In action and in thoughts they had made a great mistake.
Q2: What is the deeper meaning behind the demon being able to seize Wukong’s cudgel so easily?
What does the line “The Way grew by one foot but the demon grew by ten” suggest to you?
Why might a person become more vulnerable when they rely too heavily on one particular strength, ability, or method?

The Great Sage Equaling Heaven went empty−handed and beaten to sit down behind Mount Jindou, tears streaming from both eyes.
"Master," he called out, "I had hoped
As Lord Buddha graciously brought us together
To go on to live with you, Master, for ever,
With you to train and to learn to be free.
Of the favours received ever mindful I'd be.
Our hearts were both joined and our fates were entwined;
As we studied the Way we shared the same mind.
I never expected to be at my wit's end
Unable to win with no stick in my hand."
Q3: Why does Wukong sit down with tears in his eyes after losing his cudgel?
Is he grieving only because he has lost his weapon, or is something deeper being shaken within him?
What does being “empty-handed” mean to you spiritually?

Monkey make a loud "re−e−er" of respect then said, "Well, old man, I'm here to bother
you. The demon has taken my gold−banded cudgel, so I can't capture him. I think he must be an evil star from Heaven gone down to earth for the love of worldly things, which is why I've come here to submit a request. I beg Your Celestial Majesty in your mercy and perception to order an inspection of the evil stars and to send troops to capture the demon. I'm shaking with fear of Your Majesty."
He then made a deep bow and added, "I beg to submit this report.”
Ge Xianweng, who was standing at the side of the hall, smiled as he said, "Why is it that you were recalcitrant before but are respectful now?"
"It's not that," said Monkey, "not that at all. I haven't become respectful. It's just that I don't have my cudgel
today.”
Q4: Why does Wukong appear more respectful in the Celestial Court after losing his cudgel?
What does his response “I haven't become respectful. It's just that I don't have my cudgel today” reveal about his character?

Nezha shouted "Change!" and each one of them became ten, each ten a hundred, each hundred a thousand, and each thousand ten thousand of the same weapons that flew at the demon like a hailstorm. The demon king was not afraid in the least. Bringing out his gleaming white ring he threw it into the air with a shout of “Catch them!" and as it came whistling down it trapped all the six different kinds of weapons, so terrifying Nezha that he fled for his life empty−handed. The demon king returned to his cave in triumph.
Q5: What does the demon's ability to seize even Nezha's weapons tell us about the nature of his power?
Why do Wukong's strength, Nezha's weapons, and even the power of Heaven fail against him?

🌱 Final Reflection
Wukong begins the chapter as a master of the cudgel.
He ends this part of the story empty-handed.
His familiar source of power is taken away, his own strength proves insufficient, and even Heaven's weapons cannot overcome the demon.

If our usual strengths, abilities, knowledge, or methods were suddenly taken away from us, what would remain? What might this experience reveal about the difference between having power and knowing where true power comes from?