Session 33: Wukong Is Freed by Sanzang to Escort Him on the Journey to the West

Wukong returns to the stage!

After a long and perilous journey, Xuanzang finally reaches the Five-Element Mountain, where Wukong has been imprisoned by the Buddha for five hundred years. Freed at last, Wukong is overjoyed to fulfill his destiny as Xuanzang's disciple and to accompany him on the sacred journey to the West.

Session Focus:
We'll explore how Wukong begins a new chapter in his life—not as a rebellious immortal, but as a devoted disciple. What changes in him? What does his transformation teach us?

Key Questions for contemplation:

When at last Sanzang was bowing repeatedly to the hunter to take his leave, a shout like thunder came from under the mountain: "My master's come, my master's come."
Q1: What do you feel when hearing Wukong’s thunderous cry: “My master's come”?
What does this reveal about Wukong’s inner world after centuries of waiting?

Q2: How exactly was Wukong freed?
Was it the heavy mountain or the light paper seal that held him down?
What is the symbolic meaning of the seal and the golden words Om Mani Padme Hum?

The monkey said, ”I am the Great Sage Equaling Heaven who wrecked the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago. The Lord Buddha put me under this mountain for my criminal insubordination. Some time ago the Bodhisattva Guanyin went to the East on the Buddha's orders to find someone who could fetch the scriptures. When I asked her to save me she told me that I was to give up evil−doing, return to the Buddha's Law, and do all I could to protect the traveler when he went to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and fetch the scriptures; she said that there'll something in it for me when that's done. Ever since then I've been waiting day and night with eager anticipation for you to come and save me, Master. I swear to protect you on your way to fetch the scriptures and to be your disciple.”
Q3: In this self-narrative, what transformations do you see in Wukong's mindset and purpose?
How does his motivation now differ from his past rebellion?

The monkey bowed four times to Sanzang, then jumped up, addressed Liu Boqin with a respectful noise, and said, "Thank you, elder brother, for escorting my master, and thank you too for weeding the grass off my face." He then picked up the luggage and put it on the horse's back.
Q4: What changes do you observe in Wukong’s words and actions now that he has been accepted by Xuanzang as his master?

Exclaimed the monk. "I'll give you another name and call you Brother Monkey. Is that all right?” "Yes, yes, yes," said Sun Wukong, and from then on he was also called Brother Monkey, or Sun the Novice (which, in the original Chinese text, means “Pilgrim Sun”).”
Q4: Why did Xuanzang give Wukong the name Pilgrim Sun?
What does this new identity signify in Wukong's spiritual journey?

Q5: From being born from a stone, to the rebellious Great Sage Equaling Heaven, to the imprisoned monkey under the mountain, and now to Pilgrim Sun—a disciple on the sacred journey...How do you interpret Wukong’s fate so far?
What lessons can we draw from his journey in relation to our own life path, challenges, and transformation?

Take time to reflect on these questions, and bring your thoughts, your wonderings, and your interpretations to Session 33.

Members’ Blogging Space:
Share your reflections and learnings:
https://www.hellosuliving.com/blog

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Self-study and preparation:

English text:
https://chine.in/fichiers/jourwest.pdf
Chapter 14 (page 203 - 209)