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In this episode the team meets one of their toughest tests: the Flowing Sands River and its fierce guardian, Sha Wujing (Sandy). After repeated fights, neither Monkey nor Pigsy can defeat the ogre or carry Master Sanzang across. In the end Monkey must seek Guanyin’s help.

Session Focus:

  • Why neither Monkey’s somersault nor Pigsy’s cloud-riding can simply transport Sanzang across the river — what that refusal means philosophically and narratively.
  • What Sandy’s history and traits reveal about his role in the pilgrimage and why he becomes a necessary member of the team.

Suggested flow (90 minutes):
10 min — Quick recap (one or two members summarize last scene)
20 min — Readings of the Flowing Sands episode (volunteer readers)
40 min — Guided discussion (use the key questions below; split into two 20-min breakouts for Q1 and Q2)
15 min — Full-group synthesis: insights, personal takeaways, application to life/teamwork
10 min — Closing reflection & “motto of the week”

Key Questions for contemplation:

Monkey said, “To do a mere two−thousand−mile return journey takes only a couple of nods and a bow−−there's nothing to it."
"If it's so easy, brother," said Pig, "you should carry the master on your back, take him across with just a couple of nods and a bow, and save us all the trouble of fighting the monster.”
"You can ride clouds, can't you?" said Monkey. "Why don't you carry the master across?"
"The master's mortal flesh and bones are heavier than Mount Tai," said Pig, "So although I can ride clouds I could never lift him. Nothing but your somersault will do the trick."
"My somersault is the same as cloud−riding." Monkey said, "except that it takes you further. I'm no more able to carry him than you are. As the old saying goes, 'Mount Tai is as easy to move as a mustard seed, but a mortal cannot be dragged away from the earthly dust.' When that other poisonous monster of a fiend made a magic wind I could only move the master by dragging and tugging him along the ground. Of course. I can do tricks like that, and all those other ones like making myself invisible or shrinking land. But although our master cannot escape from the sea of suffering he wants to go to a foreign land, so he finds every inch of the way heavy going. All we can do is escort him and see that he comes to no harm. We can't undergo all that suffering on his behalf, nor can we fetch the scriptures for him. Even if we went ahead to see the Buddha, he wouldn't give the scriptures to you or me. After all, if we could get them that easily, we'd have nothing to do." The idiot accepted everything Monkey said.
Q1: In the text Monkey explains that “the master’s mortal flesh and bones are heavier than Mount Tai.” What do you take that to mean?
How do you interpret the proverb, “Mount Tai is as easy to move as a mustard seed, but a mortal cannot be dragged away from the earthly dust”?
Why is Sanzang’s crossing described as difficult—“every inch of the way heavy going”? What does this tell us about who must do the spiritual work and how it’s done?
Monkey says, “If we could get [the scriptures] that easily, we'd have nothing to do.” What is the narrative and moral hardships here?

"I," the monster replied,
"Have had a divine essence since childhood,
And have wandered all over heaven and earth.
…When I've caught you I can cut you up for salted mince."
Q2: What achievements or past qualities does Sandy’s self-introduction reveal?
What aspects of Sandy’s character shape his destiny and suitability for the pilgrimage?
In modern-team language: what role does a person like Sandy fill?
How would you position and support such a person on a real-world team?

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

📚 Self-Study & Preparation:
https://chine.in/fichiers/jourwest.pdf
Chapter 22 (page 318 - 326)

💰 Participation Fee:
Pay-as-you-go: AUD $5 per session (via PayPal)

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

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