Session 42: The Black Bear Spirit Is Subdued and the Cassock Recovered

After a final contest, Bodhisattva Guanyin—through wisdom and transformation—subdued the Black Bear Spirit and recovered the stolen cassock. Rather than destroying him, she assigned him a new role as the guardian deity of her island. With the cassock safe once again, Wukong and Master Sanzang resumed their pilgrimage, soon arriving at the Old Gao Village—where the most amusing character, Pigsy, awaits to join the journey.

Session Focus:
We will reflect on the wisdom of Bodhisattva Guanyin in guiding others and transforming obstacles into opportunities, and also notice subtle changes in Wukong’s own responses as he learns along the way.

Key Questions for contemplation:

the Bodhisattva in her great mercy used her unbounded divine power and her infinite capacity for transformation to control her will with her heart and her body with her will−−in an instant she turned into Master Emptiness−reached.
"Great, great," exclaimed Brother Monkey at the sight. "Are you a Bodhisattva disguised as an evil spirit, or a Bodhisattva who really is an evil spirit?"
"Monkey," she replied with a laugh, "evil spirit and Bodhisattva are all the same in the last analysis−−they both belong to non−being." Suddenly enlightened by this, Monkey curled up and turned himself into a pill of immortality.
Q1: What is Wukong really asking with his question?
What is your takeaway from the Bodhisattva’s answer?
Wukong is “suddenly enlightened” here—what insight do you think he received about the difference (or non-being) between Bodhisattvas and demons?

When the Bodhisattva saw this (the courtyard of the Black Bear Spirit) she thought, "If the beast has chosen this cave, there must be some hope for him." And from then on she felt compassion for him.
Q2: Why does Guanyin see “hope” in the Black Bear Spirit?
How does this show her way of discerning potential in others?

Monkey wanted to finish him off with no more ado, but the Bodhisattva stopped him at once: "Don't kill him−−I've got a use for him."
"What's the point in keeping that beast alive instead of killing him?" Monkey asked.
"I've got nobody to look after the back of my Potaraka Island," she replied, "so I shall take him back with me to be an island−guarding deity."
"You certainly are the all−merciful deliverer who doesn't allow a single soul to perish," said Monkey with a laugh. "If I knew a spell like that one of yours, I'd say it a thousand times over and finish off all the black bears I could find."
Q3: Why does Guanyin spare the Black Bear Spirit and keep him for good use?
How do you see his fate shift—from a threat to a guardian?

The fellow, who was trying to break loose, shouted, "Why ask me? I'm not the only person in the village."
"Don't be angry, kind sir," replied Monkey, all smiles. "To help others is to help yourself. What harm can it do to tell me what the place is called? We might be able to bring your troubles to an end, you know." Struggle as he might, the fellow could not break loose, which made him leap around with fury.
Q4: What do you observe in Monkey’s words and attitude here?
How does this show a different side of him compared to earlier chapters?

"You're in luck−−we're in the business," Monkey replied. "This is quite convenient; you needn't go any further or spend any of your money. We're not hopeless monks or pimples of Taoists. We've got some real magic powers, and we know how to deal with evil spirits. This'll do both of us a bit of good. Go back and tell the head of your household that my master is a saintly monk, and the younger brother of the Emperor of the East, who has sent him to visit the Buddha in the Western Heaven and seek the scriptures. We are very good at controlling devils and capturing monsters."
Q5: What qualities or abilities stand out in Wukong here?
How do you see his growing ability to balance confidence with service?

Take your time with these questions. Bring your insights, personal reflections, and discoveries into our circle for shared contemplation.

📝 Members’ Blogging Space:
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📚 Self-Study & Preparation:
https://chine.in/fichiers/jourwest.pdf
Chapter 18 (page 258 - 265)

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