Wu Cheng’en (attributed) · Complete work
Chapter 66
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第六十六回 諸神遭毒手 彌勒縛妖魔
話表孫大聖無計可施，縱一朵祥雲，駕觔斗，徑轉南贍部洲去拜武當山，參請蕩魔天尊，解釋三藏、八戒、沙僧、天兵等眾之災。他在半空裡無停止，不一日，早望見祖師仙境，輕輕按落雲頭，定睛觀看，好去處：
巨鎮東南，中天神岳。芙蓉峰竦傑，紫蓋嶺巍峨。九江水盡荊揚遠，百越山連翼軫多。上有太虛之寶洞，朱陸之靈臺。三十六宮金磬響，百千萬客進香來。舜巡禹禱，玉簡金書。樓閣飛青鳥，幢幡擺赤裾。地設名山雄宇宙，天開仙境透空虛。幾樹榔梅花正放，滿山瑤草色皆舒。龍潛澗底，虎伏崖中。幽含如訴語，馴鹿近人行。白鶴伴雲棲老檜，青鸞丹鳳向陽鳴。玉虛師相真仙地，金闕仁慈治世門。
上帝祖師乃淨樂國王與善勝皇后夢吞日光，覺而有孕，懷胎一十四個月，於開皇元年甲辰之歲三月初一日午時降誕於王宮。那爺爺：
幼而勇猛，長而神靈。不統王位，惟務修行。父母難禁，棄舍皇宮。參玄入定，在此山中。功完行滿，白日飛昇。玉皇敕號，真武之名。玄虛上應，龜蛇合形。周天六合，皆稱萬靈。無幽不察，無顯不成。劫終劫始，剪伐魔精。
孫大聖玩著仙境景致，早來到一天門、二天門、三天門。卻至太和宮外，忽見那祥光瑞氣之間，簇擁著五百靈官。那靈官上前迎著道：「那來的是誰？」大聖道：「我乃齊天大聖孫悟空，要見師相。」眾靈官聽說，隨報。祖師即下殿，迎到太和宮。行者作禮道：「我有一事奉勞。」問：「何事？」行者道：「保唐僧西天取經，路遭險難。至西牛賀洲，有座山喚小西天，小雷音寺有一妖魔。我師父進得山門，見有阿羅、揭諦、比丘、聖僧排列，以為真佛，倒身才拜，忽被他拿住綁了。我又失於防閑，被他拋一副金鐃，將我罩在裡面，無纖毫之縫，口合如鉗。甚虧金頭揭諦請奏玉帝，欽差二十八宿，當夜下界，掀揭不起。幸得亢金龍將角透入鐃內，將我度出，被我打碎金鐃，驚醒怪物。趕戰之間，又被撒一個白布搭包兒，將我與二十八宿並五方揭諦，盡皆裝去，復用繩綑了。是我當夜脫逃，救了星辰等眾與我唐僧等。後為找尋衣缽，又驚醒那怪，與天兵趕戰。那怪又拿出搭包兒，理弄之時，我卻知道前音，遂走了。眾等被他依然裝去。我無計可施，特來拜求師相一助力也。」祖師道：「我當年威鎮北方，統攝真武之位，剪伐天下妖邪，乃奉玉帝敕旨。後又披髮跣足，踏騰蛇神龜，領五雷神將、巨虯獅子、猛獸毒龍，收降東北方黑氣妖氛，乃奉元始天尊符召。今日靜享武當山，安逸太和殿，一向海岳平寧，乾坤清泰。奈何我南贍部洲並北俱蘆洲之地，妖魔剪伐，邪鬼潛蹤，今蒙大聖下降，不得不行。只是上界無有旨意，不敢擅動干戈。假若法遣眾神，又恐玉帝見罪；十分卻了大聖，又是我逆了人情。我諒著那西路上縱有妖邪，也不為大害。我今著龜、蛇二將並五大神龍與你助力，管教擒妖精，救你師之難。」
行者拜謝了祖師，即同龜、蛇、龍神各帶精銳之兵，復轉西洲之界。不一日，到了小雷音寺，按下雲頭，徑至山門外叫戰。
卻說那黃眉大王聚眾怪在寶閣下說：「孫行者這兩日不來，又不知往何方去借兵也。」說不了，只見前門上小妖報道：「行者引幾個龍、蛇、龜相，在門外叫戰。」妖魔道：「這猴兒怎麼得個龍、蛇、龜相？此等之類，卻是何方來者？」隨即披掛，走出山門高叫：「汝等是那路龍神，敢來造吾仙境？」五龍、二將相貌崢嶸，精神抖擻，喝道：「那潑怪！我乃武當山太和宮混元教主蕩魔天尊之前五位龍神、龜蛇二將。今蒙齊天大聖相邀，我天尊符召，到此捕你。你這妖精，快送唐僧與天星等出來，免你一死；不然，將這一山之怪碎劈其屍，幾間之房燒為灰燼。」那怪聞言，心中大怒道：「這畜生，有何法力，敢出大言？不要走，吃吾一棒。」這五條龍翻雲使雨，那兩員將播土揚沙，各執槍刀劍戟，一擁而攻；孫大聖又使鐵棒隨後。這一場好殺：
兇魔施武，行者求兵。兇魔施武，擅據珍樓施佛像；行者求兵，遠參寶境借龍神。龜蛇生水火，妖怪動刀兵。五龍奉旨來西路，行者因師在後收。劍戟光明搖彩電，槍刀晃亮閃霓虹。這個狼牙棒，強能短軟；那個金箍棒，隨意如心。只聽得扢撲響聲如爆竹，叮噹音韻似敲金。水火齊來征怪物，刀兵共簇繞精靈。喊殺驚狼虎，諠譁振鬼神。渾戰正當無勝處，妖魔又取寶和珍。
行者帥五龍、二將，與妖魔戰經半個時辰，那妖精即解下搭包在手。行者見了心驚，叫道：「列位仔細。」那龍神、蛇、龜不知甚麼仔細，一個個都停住兵，近前抵擋。那妖精幌的一聲，把搭包兒撇將起去。孫大聖顧不得五龍、二將，駕觔斗，跳在九霄逃脫。他把個龍神、龜、蛇一搭包子又裝將去了。妖精得勝回寺，也將繩綑了，擡在地窖子裡蓋住不題。
你看那大聖落下雲頭，斜欹在山巔之上，沒精沒采，懊恨道：「這怪物十分利害。」不覺的合著眼，似睡一般。猛聽得有人叫道：「大聖，休推睡，快早上緊求救，你師父性命只在須臾間矣。」行者急睜睛跳起來看，原來是日值功曹。行者喝道：「你這毛神，一向在那方貪圖血食，不來點卯，今日卻來驚我。伸過孤拐來，讓老孫打兩棒解悶。」功曹慌忙施禮道：「大聖，你是人間之喜仙，何悶之有？我等早奉菩薩旨令，教我等暗中護佑唐僧，乃同土地等神，不敢暫離左右，是以不得常來參見，怎麼反見責也？」行者道：「你既是保護，如今那眾星、揭諦、伽藍並我師等，被妖精困在何方？受甚罪苦？」功曹道：「你師父、師弟都吊在寶殿廊下，星辰等眾都收在地窖之間受罪。這兩日不聞大聖消息，卻才見妖精又拿了神龍、龜、蛇，又送在地窖裡去了，方知是大聖請來的兵，小神特來尋大聖。大聖莫辭勞倦，千萬再急急去求救援。」
行者聞言及此，不覺對功曹滴淚道：「我如今愧上天宮，羞臨海藏；怕問菩薩之原由，愁見如來之玉像。才拿去者，乃真武師相之龜、蛇、五龍聖眾。教我再無方求救，奈何？」功曹笑道：「大聖寬懷，小神想起一處精兵，請來斷然可降。適才大聖至武當，是南贍部洲之地。這枝兵也在南贍部洲盱眙山蠙城，即今泗洲是也。那裡有個大聖國師王菩薩，神通廣大；他手下有一個徒弟，喚名小張太子，還有四大神將：昔年曾降伏水母娘娘。你今親去請他，他來施恩相助，準可捉怪救師也。」行者心喜道：「你且去保護我師父，勿令傷他，待老孫去請也。」
行者縱起觔斗雲，躲離怪處，直奔盱眙山，不一日早到。細觀，真好去處：
南近江津，北臨淮水，東通海嶠，西接封浮。山頂上有樓觀崢嶸，山凹裡有澗泉浩湧。嵯峨怪石，槃秀喬松。百般果品應時新，千樣花枝迎日放。人如蟻陣往來多，船似雁行歸去廣。上邊有瑞巖觀、東岳宮、五顯祠、龜山寺，鍾韻香煙沖碧漢；又有玻璃泉、五塔峪、八仙臺、杏花園，山光樹色映蠙城。白雲橫不度，幽鳥倦還鳴。說甚泰嵩衡華秀，此間仙景若蓬瀛。
大聖觀玩不盡，徑過了淮河，入蠙城之內，到大聖禪寺山門外。又見那殿宇軒昂，長廊彩麗，有一座寶塔崢嶸。真是：
插雲倚漢高千丈，仰視金瓶透碧空。上下有光凝宇宙，東西無影映簾櫳。風吹寶鐸聞天樂，日映冰虯對梵宮。飛宿靈禽時訴語，遙瞻淮水渺無窮。
行者且觀且走，直至二層門下。那國師王菩薩早已知之，即與小張太子出門迎迓。相見敘禮畢，行者道：「我保唐僧西天取經，路上有個小雷音寺，那裡有個黃眉怪，假充佛祖。我師父不辨真偽，就下拜，被他拿了。又將金鐃把我罩住，幸虧天降星辰救出。是我打碎金鐃，與他賭鬥，又將一個布搭包兒，把天神、揭諦、伽藍與我師父、師弟盡皆裝了進去。我前去武當山請玄天上帝救援，他差五龍、龜、蛇拿怪，又被他一搭包子裝去。弟子無依無倚，故來拜請菩薩，大展威力，將那收水母之神通，拯生民之妙用，同弟子去救師父一難。取得經回，永傳中國，揚我佛之智慧，興般若之波羅也。」國師王道：「你今日之事，誠我佛教之興隆，理當親去。奈時值初夏，正淮水泛漲之時。新收了水猿大聖，那廝遇水即興，恐我去後，他乘空生頑，無神可治。今著小徒領四將和你去助力，煉魔收伏罷。」
行者稱謝，即同四將並小張太子，又駕雲回小西天，直至小雷音寺。小張太子使一條楮白槍，四大將掄四把錕鋘劍，和孫大聖上前罵戰。小妖又去報知，那妖王復帥群妖鼓噪而出道：「猢猻，你今又請得何人來也？」說不了，小張太子指揮四將，上前喝道：「潑妖精！你面上無肉，不認得我等在此？」妖王道：「是那方小將，敢來與他助力？」太子道：「吾乃泗州大聖國師王菩薩弟子，帥領四大神將，奉令擒你。」妖王笑道：「你這孩兒有甚武藝，擅敢到此輕薄？」太子道：「你要知我武藝，等我道來：
祖居西土流沙國，我父原為沙國王。自幼一身多疾苦，命干華蓋惡星妨。因師遠慕長生訣，有分相逢捨藥方。半粒丹砂祛病退，願從修行不為王。學成不老同天壽，容顏永似少年郎。也曾趕赴龍華會，也曾騰雲到佛堂。捉霧拿風收水怪，擒龍伏虎鎮山場。撫民高立浮屠塔，靜海深明舍利光。楮白槍尖能縛怪，淡緇衣袖把妖降。如今靜樂蠙城內，大地揚名說小張！」
妖王聽說，微微冷笑道：「那太子，你捨了國家，從那國師王菩薩，修的是甚麼長生不老之術？只好收捕淮河水怪，卻怎麼聽信孫行者誑謬之言，千山萬水，來此納命？看你可長生可不老也？」
小張聞言，心中大怒，纏槍當面便刺；四大將一擁齊攻；孫大聖使鐵棒上前又打。好妖精，公然不懼，掄著他那短軟狼牙棒，左遮右架，直挺橫衝。這場好殺：
小太子，楮白槍，四柄錕鋘劍更強。悟空又使金箍棒，齊心圍繞殺妖王。妖王其實神通大，不懼分毫左右搪。狼牙棒是佛中寶，劍砍槍掄莫可傷。只聽狂風聲吼吼，又觀惡氣混茫茫。那個有意思凡弄本事，這個專心拜佛取經章。幾番馳騁，數次張狂。噴雲霧，閉三光，奮怒懷嗔各不良。多時三乘無上法，致令百藝苦相將。
概眾爭戰多時，不分勝負。那妖精又解搭包兒。行者又叫：「列位仔細。」太子並眾等不知「仔細」之意。那怪滑的一聲，把四大將與太子，一搭包又裝將進去。只是行者預先知覺走了。那妖王得勝回寺，又教取繩綑了，送在地窖，牢封固鎖不題。
這行者縱觔斗雲，起在空中，見那怪回兵閉門，才按下祥光，立於西山坡上，悵望悲啼道：「師父啊，我
自從秉教入禪林，感荷菩薩脫難深。保你西來求大道，相同輔助上雷音。只言平坦羊腸路，豈料崔巍怪物侵。百計千方難救你，東求西告枉勞心。」
大聖正當悽慘之時，忽見那西南上一朵彩雲墜地，滿山頭大雨繽紛，有人叫道：「悟空，認得我麼？」行者急走前看處，那個人：
大耳橫頤方面相，肩查腹滿身軀胖。一腔春意喜盈盈，兩眼秋波光蕩蕩。敞袖飄然福氣多，芒鞋灑落精神壯。極樂場中第一尊，南無彌勒笑和尚。
行者見了，連忙下拜道：「東來佛祖，那裡去？弟子失迴避了，萬罪，萬罪。」佛祖道：「我此來，專為這小雷音妖怪也。」行者道：「多蒙老爺盛德大恩。敢問那妖是那方怪物，何處精魔？不知他那搭包兒是件甚麼寶貝？煩老爺指示指示。」佛祖道：「他是我面前司磬的一個黃眉童兒。三月三日，我因赴元始會去，留他在宮看守，他把我這幾件寶貝拐出，假佛成精。那搭包兒是我的後天袋子，俗名喚做『人種袋』。那條狼牙棒是個敲磬的槌兒。」行者聽說，高叫一聲道：「好個笑和尚，你走了這童兒，教他誑稱佛祖，陷害老孫，未免有個家法不謹之過。」彌勒道：「一則是我不謹，走失人口；二則是你師徒們魔障未完，故此百靈下界，應該受難。我今來與你收他去也。」
行者道：「這妖精神通廣大，你又無些兵器，何以收之？」彌勒笑道：「我在這山坡下設一草庵，種一田瓜果在此。你去與他索戰，交戰之時許敗不許勝，引他到我這瓜田裡。我別的瓜都是生的，你卻變做一個大熟瓜。他來定要瓜吃，我卻將你與他吃。吃下肚中，任你怎麼在內擺佈他。那時等我取了他的搭包兒，裝他回去。」行者道：「此計雖妙，你卻怎麼認得變的熟瓜？他怎麼就肯跟我來此？」彌勒笑道：「我為治世之尊，慧眼高明，豈不認得你？憑你變作甚物，我皆知之。但恐那怪不肯跟來耳，我卻教你一個法術。」行者道：「他斷然是以搭包兒裝我，怎肯跟來？有何法術可來也？」彌勒笑道：「你伸手來。」行者即舒左手，遞將過去。彌勒將右手食指蘸著口中神水，在行者掌上寫了一個「禁」字，教他捏著拳頭，見妖精當面放手，他就跟來。
行者揝拳，欣然領教。一隻手掄著鐵棒，直至山門外，高叫道：「妖魔，你孫爺爺又來了，可快出來，與你見個上下。」小妖又忙忙奔告。妖王問道：「他又領多少兵來叫戰？」小妖道：「別無甚兵，止他一個。」妖王笑道：「那猴兒計窮力竭，無處求人，斷然是送命來也。」隨又結束整齊，帶了寶貝，舉著那輕軟狼牙棒，走出門來，叫道：「孫悟空，今番掙挫不得了。」行者罵道：「潑怪物，我怎麼掙挫不得？」妖王道：「我見你計窮力竭，無處求人，獨自個強來支持，如今拿住，再沒個甚麼神兵救拔，此所以說你掙挫不得也。」行者道：「這怪不知死活。莫說嘴，吃我一棒。」那妖王見他一隻手掄棒，忍不住笑道：「這猴兒，你看他弄巧，怎麼一隻手使棒支吾？」行者道：「兒子，你禁不得我兩隻手打；若是不使搭包子，再著三五個，也打不過老孫這一隻手。」妖王聞言，道：「也罷，也罷，我如今不使寶貝，只與你實打，比個雌雄。」即舉狼牙棒，上前來鬥。孫行者迎著面，把拳頭一放，雙手掄棒。那妖精著了禁，不思退步，果然不弄搭包，只顧使棒來趕。行者虛幌一下，敗陣就走。那妖精直趕到西山坡下。
行者見有瓜田，打個滾，鑽入裡面，即變做一個大熟瓜，又熟又甜。那妖精停身四望，不知行者那方去了。他卻趕至庵邊叫道：「瓜是誰人種的？」彌勒變作一個種瓜叟，出草庵答道：「大王，瓜是小人種的。」妖王道：「可有熟瓜麼？」彌勒道：「有熟的。」妖王叫：「摘個熟的來，我解渴。」彌勒即把行者變的那瓜，雙手遞與妖王。妖王更不察情，到此接過手，張口便啃。那行者乘此機會，一轂轆鑽入咽喉之下，等不得好歹，就弄手腳：抓腸蒯腹，翻根頭，豎蜻蜓，任他在裡面擺佈。那妖精疼得傞牙徠嘴，眼淚汪汪，把一塊種瓜之地，滾得似個打麥之場。口中只叫：「罷了，罷了，誰人救我一救？」彌勒卻現了本像，嘻嘻笑笑，叫道：「孽畜，認得我麼？」那妖擡頭看見，慌忙跪倒在地，雙手揉著肚子，磕頭撞腦，只叫：「主人公，饒我命罷，饒我命罷，再不敢了。」彌勒上前，一把揪住，解了他的後天袋兒，奪了他的敲磬槌兒。叫：「孫悟空，看我面上，饒他命罷。」
行者十分恨苦，卻又左一拳，右一腳，在裡面亂掏亂搗。那怪萬分疼痛難忍，倒在地下。彌勒又道：「悟空，他也夠了，你饒他罷。」行者才叫：「你張大口，等老孫出來。」那怪雖是肚腹絞痛，還未傷心。俗語云：「人未傷心不得死，花殘葉落是根枯。」他聽見叫張口，即便忍著疼，把口大張。行者方才跳出，現了本像，急掣棒還要打時，早被佛祖把妖精裝在袋裡，斜跨在腰間。手執著磬槌，罵道：「孽畜！金鐃偷了，那裡去了？」那怪卻只要憐生，在後天袋內哼哼嗔嗔的道：「金鐃是孫悟空打破了。」佛祖道：「鐃破，還我金來。」那怪道：「碎金堆在殿蓮臺上哩。」
那佛祖提著袋子，執著磬槌，嘻嘻笑笑，叫道：「悟空，我和你去尋金還我。」行者見此法力，怎敢違誤，只得引佛上山，回至寺內，收取碎金。只見那山門緊閉，佛祖使槌一指門開。入裡看時，那些小妖已得知老妖被擒，各自收拾囊底，都要逃生四散。被行者見一個打一個，見兩個打兩個，把五七百個小妖盡皆打死。各現原身，都是些山精樹怪，獸孽禽魔。佛祖將金收攢一處，吹口仙氣，念聲咒語，即時返本還原，復得金鐃一副。別了行者，駕祥雲，徑轉極樂世界。
這大聖卻才解下唐僧、八戒、沙僧。那獃子吊了幾日，餓得慌了，且不謝大聖，卻就蝦著腰，跑到廚房尋飯吃。原來那怪正安排了午飯，因行者索戰，還未得吃。這獃子看見，即吃了半鍋。卻拿出兩缽頭叫師父、師弟們各吃了兩碗。然後才謝了行者。問及妖怪原由，行者把先請祖師、龜、蛇，後請大聖借太子，並彌勒收降之事，細陳了一遍。三藏聞言，謝之不盡，頂禮了諸天，道：「徒弟，這些神聖，困於何所？」行者道：「昨日日值功曹對老孫說，都在地窖之內。」叫：「八戒，我與你去解脫他等。」
那獃子得食力壯，抖擻精神，尋著他的釘鈀，即同大聖到後面，打開地窖，將眾等解了繩，請出珍樓之下。三藏披了袈裟，朝上一一拜謝。這大聖才送五龍、二將回武當，送小張太子與四將回蠙城，後送二十八宿歸天府，發放揭諦、伽藍各回境。
師徒們卻寬住了半日。喂飽了白馬，收拾行囊，至次早登程。臨行時，放上一把火，將那些珍樓、寶座、高閣、講堂，俱盡燒為灰燼。這裡才：
無罣無牽逃難去，消災消障脫身行。
畢竟不知幾時才到大雷音，且聽下回分解。
Musean translation
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the Chinese, passage for passage, covering all 100 chapters and 3,782 source paragraphs of the Traditional Chinese text.
The Gods Fall Victim to a Cruel Foe; Maitreya Binds the Demon
With no other remedy, the Great Sage Sun rode his somersault cloud to Mount Wudang in Southern Jambudvipa to ask the Demon-Quelling Heavenly Worthy to rescue Tripitaka, Bajie, Sha Monk, and the heavenly soldiers. He flew without rest. Before long he saw the patriarch's immortal realm and descended to look closely. What a splendid place:
A mighty fortress of the southeast, a sacred mountain in midheaven.Lotus peaks thrust high; Purple Canopy Ridge rises sheer.The waters of nine rivers leave Jing and Yang far behind;Hundred-Yue mountains meet the constellations Wings and Chariot.High above are treasured caves of the great voidAnd a sacred terrace on the cinnabar heights.Golden chimes sound in thirty-six palaces;Countless pilgrims come with incense.Shun made his progress here, Yu his prayers;Jade tablets and golden writings are kept here.Blue birds fly among its towers;Crimson streamers wave from its banners.Earth raised this noble mountain to rule the world;Heaven opened an immortal realm into the empty sky.Blossoming langmei trees and jeweled grasses cover the slopes.Dragons hide in deep streams, tigers rest among the cliffs;A quiet murmur sounds like speech, and tame deer approach people.White cranes roost with the clouds among old junipers;Blue phoenixes and red ones call to the sun.Here the immortal master dwells in Jade Emptiness;Here the kind lord's golden palace governs the world.
The patriarch had been born to the King of Pure Delight and Queen Good Victory. She dreamed she swallowed sunlight and conceived; fourteen months later, at noon on the first day of the third month in the first year of the Kaihuang era, a year of the wood dragon, the child was born in their palace. He was:
Brave in youth, divine when grown.He sought cultivation, not the royal throne.His parents could not hold him; he left the palace.Here among the mountains he studied the mysteries and meditated.With his practice complete, he rose to heaven in broad daylight.By the Jade Emperor's decree he was named True Warrior.He answered to the dark void; tortoise and serpent joined in his form.Through all six directions, countless spirits praise him.Nothing hidden escapes his sight; nothing seen eludes his power.From the ending of one age to the beginning of another,He strikes down the demon host.
Enjoying the view, the Great Sage passed through the first, second, and third heavenly gates. Outside the Palace of Supreme Harmony, five hundred spirit officers stood amid radiant clouds. “Who comes?” they asked. “I am Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. I wish to see your master.” They reported his arrival, and the patriarch came down to welcome Pilgrim. “I ask your help,” Pilgrim said with a bow, and explained: “I guard the Tang monk on his western scripture journey. At Little Thunderclap Monastery in Little Western Heaven we met a demon. My master entered and mistook the figures of arhats, guardians, monks, and holy men for a true assembly of the Buddha. As he bowed, they seized and bound him. Caught off guard, I was sealed in golden cymbals joined so tightly not the slightest gap remained. The Golden-Headed Guardian petitioned the Jade Emperor, who sent the Twenty-Eight Mansions, but they could not open them. The Horned Golden Dragon forced his horn through, carried me out in a hole I drilled in it, and I smashed the cymbals. The demon woke and fought us. He threw a white cloth sack and captured me, the Mansions, and the Guardians of the Five Directions, then bound us. I escaped at night and freed the gods, my master, and the others, but woke the demon while looking for our sacred possessions. He used the sack again; I recognized it and escaped, but captured everyone else. I have come to seek your aid.” The patriarch said, “By the Jade Emperor's decree I once held the True Warrior's post in the north and destroyed demons throughout the world. Later, by a summons from the Primal Heavenly Worthy, I went bareheaded and barefoot on the serpent and divine tortoise, led thunder generals, dragons, lions, beasts, and venomous dragons, and subdued the dark demons of the northeast. Now I enjoy peace at Mount Wudang in the Palace of Supreme Harmony, with seas, mountains, heaven, and earth at rest. Since I have driven demons out of Southern Jambudvipa and Northern Kuru, I cannot ignore your plea. Yet without orders from above I dare not make war myself; I might incur the Jade Emperor's displeasure. Still, it would be unkind to refuse you. I doubt that a monster on the western road can do lasting harm. I will send my two generals, Tortoise and Serpent, and five divine dragons. They shall capture the demon and save your master.”
Pilgrim bowed in thanks and traveled west with the Tortoise and Serpent generals and five dragon gods, each leading picked troops. In due course they reached Little Thunderclap Monastery, descended before its gate, and challenged the demon.
King Yellow Brows was speaking to his followers beneath a precious pavilion. “Pilgrim Sun hasn't returned for two days. Where is he borrowing reinforcements?” A small demon ran in. “Pilgrim is outside with dragons, a serpent, and a tortoise!” “Where did the monkey get them? What are they?” The king put on his armor and came out. “You dragon gods, where are you from? How dare you trouble my immortal realm?” The five dragons and two imposing generals answered, “Monster! We serve the Demon-Quelling Heavenly Worthy, master of the Primal Unity, at the Palace of Supreme Harmony on Mount Wudang. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven asked for his help, and by his command we have come to seize you. Release the Tang monk and the star gods, and your life will be spared. Refuse, and we shall cut your demons to pieces and burn these buildings to ashes.” “How dare you beasts boast like that?” cried the angry king. “Taste my club!” The dragons summoned clouds and rain, the generals raised dust and sand, and all charged with spear, sword, and halberd, Pilgrim following with his iron staff. Fierce was the battle:
The savage demon shows his skill; Pilgrim seeks troops.The demon claims splendid towers and sets up false Buddha images;Pilgrim goes to a sacred realm to borrow dragon gods.Tortoise and serpent bring water and fire;The monster raises the weapons of war.Five dragons come west by command;Pilgrim holds back for the sake of his captured master.Swords and halberds glitter like colored lightning;Spears and blades flash with the light of rainbows.The demon's spiked club is strong though short and supple;The gold-banded staff obeys its owner's every thought.Blows crack like firecrackers and ring like beaten metal.Water and fire unite against the monster;Weapons throng around the spirit.War cries frighten wolves and tigers;Their clamor shakes ghosts and gods.The fight hangs in the balance,Until the demon takes out another treasure.
After half an hour's combat the demon reached for his sack. “Take care!” Pilgrim cried. The dragons and generals, unaware of its danger, paused and drew near to defend themselves. The demon flung it into the air. Pilgrim left the others and somersaulted away into the ninth heaven; the sack swallowed all five dragons and both generals. Victorious, the demon returned to the monastery, had them bound, and locked them in the cellar.
The Great Sage descended to the mountain summit, sat dispiritedly, and lamented the demon's power. He closed his eyes as though asleep. A voice cried, “Great Sage, don't lie there sleeping! Find help quickly; your master's life may end at any moment.” Pilgrim leaped up and saw the Merit Officer of the Day. “You petty god! Where have you been, feasting on offerings and neglecting your duty? Now you come to disturb me. Stick out your legs and let me strike you twice to ease my anger.” The officer bowed hastily. “Great Sage, you are an immortal who brings joy to men. Why be angry? By Guanyin's command, we and the local gods have guarded the Tang monk unseen, never leaving his side. That is why we cannot often come before you. Why blame us?” “If you guard him, where are my master and brothers, the stars, guardians, and the others held? How do they suffer?” “Your master and brothers hang beneath the hall's eaves. The star gods are imprisoned in the cellar. With no news of you these past two days, we saw the demon take the dragons, tortoise, and serpent there too, and knew you had brought them. I came to find you. Please do not tire of seeking help: go again, quickly.”
Pilgrim wept. “I am ashamed to return to Heaven, ashamed to visit the sea's treasury; I dread telling Guanyin and facing the Tathagata's image. Those just captured were True Warrior's own Tortoise, Serpent, and five dragons. Where else can I seek help?” The officer smiled. “I know another company of powerful troops. On Mount Xuyi in Southern Jambudvipa, in the city of Pin, now known as Sizhou, dwells the Great Sage State Preceptor King Bodhisattva. His powers are immense. His disciple, Little Prince Zhang, and four divine generals once subdued the Water Mother. Ask him: he will surely save your master.” Delighted, Pilgrim asked the officer to guard Tripitaka and went to seek aid.
On his somersault cloud he swiftly reached Mount Xuyi. He looked around at a splendid scene:
South it nears the river ferry, north it fronts the Huai;East it leads to seaward peaks, west to Fengfu.Fine buildings rise on the summit;Springs pour through gorges in its slopes.Strange stones loom, and tall pines spread their branches.A hundred fruits ripen in their season;A thousand flowers open to the sun.People stream past like ranks of ants;Boats return in lines like flying geese.Auspicious Cliff Abbey, Eastern Peak Palace,The Shrine of the Five Manifestations, and Turtle Mountain Temple:Their bells and incense rise into the blue sky.Glass Spring, Five Pagodas Valley, the Eight Immortals' Terrace,And the Apricot Garden brighten the city of Pin.White clouds lie across the mountain without passing;Birds sing again when weary in its seclusion.Why speak of the splendor of China's four sacred peaks?This immortal place is like Penglai and Yingzhou.
The Great Sage crossed the Huai, entered Pin, and reached the Great Sage Monastery. Magnificent halls, brilliant galleries, and a towering pagoda met his eyes:
It pierces the clouds, a thousand fathoms high;Looking up, one sees its golden finial pass into blue sky.Its light fills the world above and below;From east or west it casts no shadow on the windows.The wind stirs its jeweled bells like music from heaven;Sunlight gleams on its icy dragons across from the holy halls.Sacred birds in flight speak among its branches;Beyond it the broad Huai stretches endlessly away.
Pilgrim entered the second gate. Forewarned of his coming, the State Preceptor King Bodhisattva and Little Prince Zhang welcomed him. After greetings, Pilgrim explained: “While guarding the Tang monk on the road west, I found a demon called Yellow Brows impersonating the Buddha at Little Thunderclap Monastery. My master bowed and was seized. Golden cymbals trapped me until the heavenly star gods freed me. I smashed them, but the demon captured the stars, guardians, my master, and brothers in a cloth sack. I asked the Dark Heavenly Emperor of Mount Wudang for help; his five dragons, Tortoise, and Serpent were swallowed too. I am alone and ask you to use the powers that subdued the Water Mother and saved the people to rescue my master. Then we may bring the scriptures to China and spread the Buddha's wisdom and the perfection of insight.” “Your task advances the Buddha's teaching, and I should go myself,” said the Bodhisattva. “But early summer has brought flooding to the Huai, and I have only recently captured the Great Sage Water Monkey. That creature thrives in water. If I leave, he may run wild and there will be no god to subdue him. My disciple and four generals shall go in my place and help you tame the demon.”
Pilgrim thanked him and returned on a cloud with Little Prince Zhang and four generals. At Little Thunderclap the prince carried a paperbark-wood spear, the four generals brandished four kunwu swords, and with the Great Sage they challenged the demon. His sentries reported them, and he led his troops out. “Monkey, whom have you brought this time?” Prince Zhang ordered the generals forward. “Monster! Have you no eyes to recognize us?” “What little officers have come to aid him?” “I serve the Great Sage State Preceptor King Bodhisattva of Sizhou. My four generals and I have been sent to seize you.” “What skill has a child like you, to come here making threats?” the demon laughed. “Hear of my skill,” answered the prince:
“My ancestral home is the Kingdom of Flowing Sands in the west;My father was the king of those sands.From birth I suffered many illnesses,Under an unlucky star that troubled my fate.My teacher knew the secret of long life;By fortune we met, and he gave me medicine.Half a grain of cinnabar cured my ills;I chose to cultivate the Way, not reign as king.I learned to live as long as heaven without growing old;My face remains forever young.I have attended the Dragon-Flower assemblyAnd ridden clouds to the Buddha's hall.I seize fog and wind and quell water monsters;I catch dragons, tame tigers, and guard the mountains.I raised pagodas to comfort the peopleAnd calmed the sea with the bright light of relics.My paperbark spear can bind monsters;My dark sleeves can subdue demons.Now I dwell in peace in the city of Pin;Throughout the land they tell of Little Zhang!”
The demon king smiled coldly. “You abandoned your country to follow the State Preceptor King. What art of long life did you learn? Perhaps you can catch monsters in the Huai, but why trust Pilgrim Sun's lies and travel so far to die? Let us see how long your life lasts.”
The prince attacked with his spear. All four generals rushed in with their swords, and the Great Sage swung his staff. Fearless, the demon blocked and charged with his short, supple, spiked club. Fierce was their battle:
Little Prince Zhang with his paperbark spear;Four kunwu swords are strong beside him.Wukong too swings his gold-banded staff,All surrounding the demon king with one heart.The king's powers are truly great;He meets them from every side without fear.His spiked club is a Buddhist treasure:Sword and spear cannot break it.Wild winds roar and evil vapors gather.One side means only to show its prowess;The other seeks the Buddha's scriptures in earnest.They rush again and again, fierce in repeated combat;They breathe clouds and fog that hide the three lights.Wrathful on either side, none seeks peace.Long have they taught the supreme Law of the Three Vehicles;Now a hundred arts bring bitter struggle.
They fought a long time without advantage, until the demon opened his sack. Pilgrim cried, “Beware!” But the prince and generals did not know what he meant. With a swish, the sack swallowed all five. Only Pilgrim, forewarned, escaped. The triumphant demon returned, bound his captives, and locked them securely in the cellar.
High on his somersault cloud, Pilgrim waited until the demon's troops had returned and the gate was shut. On the western slope he gazed sorrowfully and cried:
“Since I entered the Buddha's teaching,I have thanked Guanyin for freeing me from pain.I guard you on the westward road to seek the great Way;Together we meant to reach Thunderclap.I thought the narrow path would be smooth;Who knew a monster would rise among sheer peaks?A hundred plans and a thousand arts cannot rescue you;I have sought help east and west in vain.”
As the Great Sage grieved, a colored cloud descended in the southwest, and a rain of flowers fell upon the slope. “Wukong, do you recognize me?” a voice asked. Pilgrim approached and saw:
Great ears, a broad face, and a full body;His shoulders are square, his belly round.Springtime joy fills his heart;His eyes glimmer like autumn waves.Wide sleeves flow with abundance and good fortune;Straw sandals tread lightly beneath his vigorous form.The first honored one in the realm of bliss:Maitreya, the laughing monk.
Pilgrim bowed at once. “Buddha Who Comes from the East, where are you going? Forgive me for not giving way.” “I came for the demon at Little Thunderclap,” said the Buddha. “Your generous aid is a blessing,” said Pilgrim. “Tell me, what creature is he, and what is the sack he carries?” “He is my yellow-browed acolyte who strikes the chime. On the third day of the third month I went to an assembly of the Primal One and left him to guard my palace. He took these treasures, fled, and made himself a false Buddha. The sack is my Acquired Bag, commonly called the Human-Seed Bag. His spiked club is my chime mallet.” “You laughing monk!” Pilgrim cried. “You let your boy escape and call himself the Buddha, causing me all this misery. You should keep better order in your house!” “I should have watched him, yes,” said Maitreya, “but your company still had trials to undergo. That is why so many spirits descended to earth, and you were fated to suffer. I have come to take him back.”
“He has great powers, and you carry no weapon. How will you catch him?” “I have made a hut and planted a melon patch down this slope,” Maitreya laughed. “Challenge him, pretend to lose, and lure him there. All my melons are unripe; change yourself into a large ripe one. He will want to eat it. I'll serve you to him. Once you are inside, do as you like while I take his sack and capture him.” “A fine plan, but how will you recognize my melon? And why would he follow me?” “With my clear-seeing eyes, I know you in any shape. To make him follow you, I'll give you a spell.” “He usually captures me in the sack. What spell could bring him?” Maitreya asked Pilgrim for his hand, dipped his finger in holy water from his mouth, and wrote the character for “hold” on Pilgrim's palm. “Close your fist and open it in front of him; he will follow.”
Fist closed, Pilgrim returned to the gate swinging his staff with his other hand. “Demon! Grandfather Sun is back. Come and settle this!” A sentry ran to report. “How many troops has he brought?” “None. He is alone.” “His plans and strength are spent. He has nowhere to seek aid and has come to die.” The king armed himself, took his treasures and club, and called, “Sun Wukong, you won't escape this time!” “Why not?” “I can see you're alone and have no one left to ask for help. When I catch you, no divine soldiers will come to free you.” “Stop talking and taste my staff!” Seeing him use one hand, the demon laughed. “Trying to be clever, monkey? How can you fight with one hand?” “You cannot withstand two. Without your sack, even five of you couldn't beat me with one.” “Very well! I will use no treasure. Let us fight fairly.” He advanced with his club. Pilgrim opened his fist before him, then grasped his staff with both hands. Held by the spell, the demon forgot to retreat or reach for the sack and pursued him with his club. Pilgrim feinted and fled. The demon chased him to the western slope.
At the melon patch Pilgrim rolled into the plants and became a large, sweet, ripe melon. The demon stopped and searched for him in vain. He came to the hut. “Who grows these melons?” Maitreya, disguised as an old gardener, answered, “I do, great king.” “Are any ripe?” “Yes.” “Pick me one to quench my thirst.” Maitreya handed him the melon that was Pilgrim. The king took a bite without suspicion. Pilgrim slipped down his throat and immediately set to work, clawing at his guts, scraping his belly, somersaulting and standing on his hands. Howling in pain and streaming tears, the demon rolled about the field until it looked like a threshing floor. “Help! Someone help me!” Maitreya showed his true form. “Do you know me, wretch?” The demon looked up, knelt at once, rubbed his belly, and knocked his head on the ground. “Master, spare me! I'll never do it again!” Maitreya seized him, took the Acquired Bag and chime mallet, and called, “Sun Wukong, spare his life for my sake.”
In his anger Pilgrim gave him more punches and kicks in the belly. The demon collapsed in agony. “Wukong, he has suffered enough,” Maitreya said. “Let him live.” “Open your mouth and let me out,” Pilgrim said. The demon's stomach hurt fiercely, but his vital organs had not been pierced. As the saying goes, “A person cannot die before the heart is hurt; a flower's falling petals show its roots have failed.” He opened wide, and Pilgrim jumped out, resumed his form, and reached for his staff. But Maitreya had already put the demon in the bag and slung it across his waist. Holding his mallet, he demanded, “Where are the golden cymbals you stole?” “Sun Wukong broke them,” the creature groaned inside the bag. “Then give me back the gold.” “Its pieces are heaped on the lotus dais.”
Laughing, Maitreya carried the sack and mallet toward the monastery. Pilgrim could hardly refuse to lead him. The gate was locked; Maitreya pointed his mallet and it opened. Inside, the little demons had heard of their king's capture and were gathering their belongings to scatter. Pilgrim struck down every one he saw, killing five or seven hundred. In death they showed their true shapes: spirits of mountains and trees, beasts and birds. Maitreya collected the fragments of gold, breathed on them, and spoke a spell. They became the golden cymbals once more. He said farewell to Pilgrim and rode an auspicious cloud back to the land of bliss.
The Great Sage cut down Tripitaka, Bajie, and Sha Monk. After hanging for days, the Idiot was ravenous. Instead of thanking Pilgrim, he hurried bent over to the kitchen. The demon had been preparing lunch when Pilgrim challenged him; the food was still there. Bajie ate half a pot, then brought bowls for his master and brother, who ate two bowls apiece. Only then did he thank Pilgrim. Asked about the demon, Pilgrim recounted his appeals to True Warrior and the Tortoise, Serpent, and dragons, his request to the State Preceptor King and the prince, and Maitreya's capture of the creature. Tripitaka thanked him repeatedly, bowed to the gods, and asked where the captured divine helpers were held. “In the cellar,” said Pilgrim. “Bajie, help me release them.”
Strengthened by food, the Idiot found his rake and helped Pilgrim open the cellar. They freed the captives and brought them to the precious hall. Wearing his cassock, Tripitaka bowed to each in thanks. The Great Sage sent the five dragons and two generals back to Wudang, Little Prince Zhang and four generals to Pin, the Twenty-Eight Mansions to heaven, and the guardians and monastery protectors to their posts.
After resting half a day, the travelers fed the white horse and made ready their baggage. They set out next morning, but first lit a fire that reduced every tower, treasured seat, pavilion, and teaching hall to ashes. Then at last:
Free of bonds and troubles, they escaped their trial;With danger and obstacles behind them, they went on their way.
When would they reach the Great Thunderclap Monastery? Listen to the next chapter to find out.
Plain English translation
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from the Chinese, covering all 100 chapters and 3,782 source paragraphs of the Traditional Chinese text.
The Gods Fall into the Monster's Hands; Maitreya Binds the Demon
Now the Great Sage Sun, with no plan left, leapt on a lucky cloud and rode somersaults straight back to South Jambudvipa, to worship on Mount Wudang and beg the Honor-Scattering Celestial to free Tripitaka, Bajie, Sha Monk, and the heavenly soldiers from their trouble. He never rested in midair, and in less than a day he saw the patriarch's immortal land, gently brought his cloud down, and looked with fixed eyes—a fine place:
A great anchor of the southeast, a divine mountain mid-heaven.Lotus Peak stands tall and proud; the Purple Canopy ridge towers high.The waters of the nine rivers run out far through Jing and Yang; the hills of the hundred Yue link on to the mansions of the Wing and the Axle.Above are the treasure caves of the Great Void and the numinous terraces of the vermilion land.In its thirty-six palaces golden chimes ring; hundreds of thousands of pilgrims come with incense.Shun made his progress here, Yu offered his prayers; jade tablets and letters of gold.Over the towers the blue birds fly; banners and streamers sway like red skirts.Earth set this famous mountain, lord of the world; heaven opened this immortal land, piercing the void.A few langmei plum trees are in flower; over the whole hill the magic herbs spread their color.Dragons lurk at the ravine bottoms; tigers lie hid in the cliffs.The quiet holds sounds like half-spoken words; tame deer come near to men.White cranes roost with the clouds in old junipers; blue luan birds and red phoenixes cry toward the sun.A true immortal land of the teacher-minister of the Jade Void; the kindly gate of the Golden Palace, ordering the world.
This patriarch god was son of the king of the Pure Joy Kingdom and of Queen Good Victory, who dreamed she swallowed the sun's light, woke with child, and carried him fourteen months; he was born in the palace at the hour of wu on the first day of the third month, in the first year of Kaixhuang, the jiachen year. That venerable one:
In youth he was bold; grown, he was divine.He would not take the throne, but gave himself to cultivating the Way.His parents could not hold him; he left the royal palace.He searched the mystery and entered stillness, in this mountain.When his work was full and his deeds complete, he rose to heaven in broad daylight.The Jade Emperor decreed his title: the name Zhenwu, the True Warrior.Answering the mystery of the void above, tortoise and serpent joined in his shape.Through the whole round of heaven and the six quarters, all spirits call upon him.Nothing hidden he does not see; nothing visible he does not perfect.At kalpa's end and kalpa's start, he cuts down the spawn of demons.
The Great Sage Sun, gazing at the immortal scenery, soon came to the First, the Second, and the Third Heaven Gates, and reached the Taihe Palace. Suddenly, amid the auspicious light and lucky airs, he saw a crowd of five hundred numinous officials. They came forward and met him: "Who comes there?" The Great Sage said: "I am Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, and I would see your patriarch." The officials heard, reported, and the patriarch came down from his hall and received him at the Taihe Palace. Pilgrim bowed and said: "I have a matter on which to trouble you." Asked what it was, he said: "I guard the Tang monk going west for scriptures, and met with peril on the road. In West Cow Victory there is a mountain called Little Western Heaven, and on it a demon at Little Thunderclap Monastery. My master entered the gate, saw arhats, revealers, monks, and holy men arrayed, took them for true Buddhas, and had scarcely bowed before he was seized and bound. I too was caught off my guard; he flung a golden cymbal over me, without a hair's crack, shut like pincers. Thanks to the golden-headed revealer, who reported to the Jade Emperor, the twenty-eight mansions were sent down that very night, but they could not lift it. Happily the Gold-Dragon of the Neck pushed his horn inside and got me out; I smashed the cymbal, and woke the monster. In the fighting that followed he flung a white cloth pouch, and swept me up with the twenty-eight mansions and the revealers of the five quarters, all bagged and bound. That night I slipped loose and freed the stars and my Tang monk and the rest. Then, hunting for robe and bowl, I woke the monster again, and there was more fighting with the heavenly soldiers. He brought out the pouch again; as he handled it I knew the old tune and got away, and the rest were bagged as before. With no plan left, I have come to beg your help, patriarch." The patriarch said: "In my day my might held the north; I held the seat of Zhenwu and cut down the demons and goblins of the world, by the Jade Emperor's decree. Later, hair unbound and feet bare, treading the magic serpent and the spirit tortoise, leading the gods of the five thunders, giant serpents and lions, fierce beasts and poison dragons, I gathered in the black vapors and demon airs of the northeast, by the summons of the Primal Celestial. Today I rest quietly on Mount Wudang, at ease in the Taihe Palace; the seas and hills have long been calm, heaven and earth at peace. The demons of South Jambudvipa and the Northern Continent are cut down, and evil ghosts have gone into hiding. But the Great Sage has come down in person, and I cannot refuse to act. Only, there is no decree from above, and I dare not move arms without one. If I send out the gods by art, I fear the Jade Emperor's blame; and to refuse the Great Sage outright would be against all feeling. I judge that whatever demons there are on the western road, they are no great harm. I will give you the generals Tortoise and Serpent and the five great spirit dragons to help you, and they will surely catch the demon and free your master from his trouble."
Pilgrim bowed his thanks to the patriarch, and with the Tortoise, the Serpent, and the dragon gods, each leading picked soldiers, turned again toward the western lands. In less than a day they reached Little Thunderclap Monastery, brought down their cloud, and called for battle outside the gate.
Now the Yellow Brow King had his demons gathered under the jeweled tower and was saying: "Sun Wukong has not come these two days; who knows where he has gone to borrow soldiers?" Before the words were done, a little demon reported from the front gate: "The Pilgrim has brought several dragon, serpent, and tortoise lords and is calling for battle outside." The demon said: "Where did this monkey get dragon, serpent, and tortoise lords? What quarter do such creatures come from?" He buckled on his armor, marched out of the mountain gate, and called: "What dragon gods are you, from what quarter, to dare affront my immortal mountain?" The five dragons and the two generals stood towering, in high mettle, and roared: "Brazen monster! We are the five dragon gods and the two generals Tortoise and Serpent, before the Honor-Scattering Celestial, Master of the Mixed Origin of the Taihe Palace on Mount Wudang. Asked by the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and sent by our Celestial's warrant, we have come to take you. Monster, hand over the Tang monk and the heavenly stars quickly, and you keep your life. If not, we will hack the monsters of this mountain to pieces and burn these buildings to ash." The monster raged at this: "What powers have you beasts, to boast so big? Stand still and take my club!" The five dragons churned cloud and drove rain, the two generals threw up dust and sand, and all with spears, blades, swords, and halberds fell on together, while the Great Sage Sun followed with his iron staff. A fine battle:
The fierce demon shows his might; the Pilgrim seeks soldiers.The fierce demon shows his might: he has seized the jeweled towers and set up a Buddha's image; the Pilgrim seeks soldiers: he has traveled far to a treasure land to borrow the dragon gods.Tortoise and serpent bring water and fire; the demon calls up blade and spear.The five dragons come west by decree; and the Pilgrim, for his master, follows on behind.Swords and halberds blaze and shake with colored lightning; spears and knives flash and glitter like rainbows.This one, the wolf-tooth club, strong, short, and supple; that one, the gold-banded staff, changing as the heart wishes.You hear thuds like firecrackers going off, and clanging notes like gold being struck.Water and fire together march on the monster; blades and spears cluster round the spirit.The battle cries startle wolves and tigers; the din shakes ghosts and gods.Just as the melée hangs with no winner, the demon reaches again for his treasure.
Pilgrim led the five dragons and the two generals against the demon for half an hour, and the demon unslung his pouch and held it in his hand. Pilgrim saw and cried in alarm: "Everyone, look out!" The dragon gods, the Serpent, and the Tortoise did not know what "look out" meant; every one stopped fighting and came forward to meet it. With a swish the demon flung the pouch up. The Great Sage Sun, thinking nothing of the five dragons and the two generals, turned somersaults and jumped into the ninth heaven to escape. The pouch swept up the dragon gods, the Tortoise, and the Serpent, bag and all. The monster, victorious, went back to the monastery, tied them with ropes, carried them to the underground cellar, and covered them up—there we leave it.
See the Great Sage come down from his cloud and lean askew on the mountain top, spiritless, cursing his luck: "That monster is deadly." His eyes closed of themselves, as if he slept. Suddenly he heard a voice: "Great Sage, don't sham sleep! Hurry and beg help—your master's life hangs by a moment." Pilgrim's eyes flew open and he sprang up to look: it was the day-duty officer of good works. Pilgrim snapped: "You hairy god, where have you been gorging on offerings all this time, never once reporting? And now you come to startle me. Stick out that shinbone of yours and let old Sun give it two raps for sport." The officer bowed in haste: "Great Sage, you are a joyful immortal among men—what gloom have you to dispel? We were charged early by the Bodhisattva's own order to guard the Tang monk in secret, and together with the earth god and the other gods we dare not leave his side a moment; that is why we could not often come before you. Why do you reproach us?" Pilgrim said: "If you were guarding him, where are the stars, the revealers, and the guardians now, with my master and the rest, trapped by that monster? What suffering are they in?" The officer said: "Your master and your brothers hang from the corridor of the jeweled hall, and the stars and the rest are shut up in the cellar, in torment. For two days we heard nothing of you, and just now, seeing the monster seize the dragon gods, the Tortoise, and the Serpent and carry them off to the cellar too, we knew it must be soldiers you had asked for, and so this small god came hunting for you. Do not shirk the labor, Great Sage—hurry, hurry, and beg help again."
At this Pilgrim dropped tears before the officer: "Now I am ashamed to face the heavenly palaces and abashed to show myself by sea or shore; I fear to be asked the reason by the Bodhisattva, and dread to see the jade image of the Tathagata. What he just carried off are the Tortoise, the Serpent, and the five dragons of my patriarch Zhenwu. If there is nowhere left to ask for help, what can I do?" The officer laughed: "Great Sage, take heart. This small god has thought of a place with good soldiers, who would certainly subdue the demon if asked. When you went just now to Wudang, that is South Jambudvipa. These soldiers too are in South Jambudvipa, on Xuyi Mountain at Bin city—today's Sizhou. There the Great Sage of the Land's Master, the Bodhisattva Guoshi Wang, has vast powers. He has a disciple called Prince Little Zhang, and four great spirit generals, who in former years subdued the Water Mother. Go yourself and ask, and when they come to help out of kindness, the monster is sure to be caught and your master saved." Pilgrim was glad: "Go and guard my master, and let no one hurt him. Old Sun will go and beg them."
Pilgrim shot up his somersault cloud, left the monster behind, and made straight for Xuyi Mountain, arriving in less than a day. He looked closely—a fine place:
On the south it nears the river ford; on the north it looks on the Huai waters; on the east it opens to the sea hills; on the west it joins the rising heights.On the summit towers and terraces rise sheer; in the hollows of the hill ravine springs surge in flood.Jagged strange rocks; coiling, lovely pines.A hundred kinds of fruit, fresh in their season; a thousand kinds of blossom, opening to the sun.People come and go like columns of ants; boats go home in files like wild geese.There are the Lucky Cliff Abbey, the Palace of the Eastern Peak, the Shrine of the Five Manifest Ones, and the Tortoise Mountain Temple, their bells and incense smoke thrusting up into the blue;and the Glass Spring, the Valley of Five Pagodas, the Terrace of the Eight Immortals, and the Apricot Garden, their hill light and tree color lighting up Bin city.White clouds lie across and do not pass; hidden birds, tired, call as they return.Speak of the beauty of Tai, Song, Heng, and Hua—the immortal scenery here is like Penglai and Yingzhou.
The Great Sage's eyes could not take it all in; he crossed the Huai River, went inside Bin city, and came to the gate of the Great Sage Chan Monastery. There he saw lofty halls and splendid painted corridors, and a towering pagoda. Truly:
It stabs the clouds and leans on the Milky Way, a thousand zhang high; look up, and its golden vase pierces the blue sky.Above and below its light congeals heaven and earth; east and west it throws a shadowless gleam on blinds and lattices.Wind on its jeweled bells is like heaven's music; sunlight on its icy dragons faces the Buddha's halls.Numinous birds fly to roost and murmur now and then; far off one sees the Huai waters, boundless and dim.
Pilgrim looked as he walked, and came to the second gate. The Bodhisattva Guoshi Wang knew of him long before, and came out with Prince Little Zhang to meet him. After greetings, Pilgrim said: "I guard the Tang monk going west for scriptures. On the road is a Little Thunderclap Monastery, where a Yellow Brow monster plays the Buddha. My master could not tell true from false and bowed, and was taken. He shut me under a golden cymbal, and only the stars sent down from heaven got me out. I smashed the cymbal and fought him, and he flung a cloth pouch that swept up the gods, the revealers, the guardians, my master, and my brothers, every one. I went to Mount Wudang to ask the True Warrior, the Dark Lord of the Northern Heaven, for help; he sent the five dragons and the Tortoise and the Serpent to take the monster, and they were bagged up in a pouch too. Your disciple has nowhere left to lean, and so I have come to beg the Bodhisattva to show your power—the power that gathered in the Water Mother, the art that saves the living—and go with me to free my master from this trouble. When the scriptures are won and brought back to China forever, it will spread our Buddha's wisdom and set the boat of prajna sailing." The Bodhisattva Guoshi Wang said: "Today's business is truly for the flourishing of our Buddha's teaching, and I ought to go myself. But it is early summer, when the Huai waters rise. I have newly taken the Great Sage Water-Ape, and that fellow swells whenever he meets water; if I go away, I fear he will take the chance to turn unruly, with no god to govern him. I will send this small disciple of mine with the four generals to help you, and so the demon will be refined and subdued."
Pilgrim thanked him, and with the four generals and Prince Little Zhang rode the clouds back to Little Western Heaven, straight to Little Thunderclap Monastery. Prince Little Zhang carried a paper-white spear, and the four generals swung four kunwu swords; with the Great Sage Sun they went forward and called for battle. The little demons ran to report, and the demon king led his demons out with drums and shouting: "Monkey, whom have you brought this time?" Before the words were done, Prince Little Zhang directed the four generals and roared: "Brazen monster! How shameless you are, not to know who stands here!" The demon king said: "What little general is this, from what quarter, coming to help him?" The prince said: "You would know my art? Hear it:"
My old home is the Flowing Sand Kingdom in the western lands; my father was king of the Sand Country.From childhood my body knew much sickness; my fate ran foul of the Canopy, an evil star barring the way.Through my master I yearned from afar for the recipe of long life; by good fate we met, and he gave me the healing recipe.Half a pellet of cinnabar drove my sickness out; I chose the religious life and would not be a king.Trained to the agelessness that matches heaven's years, my face stays forever like a young man's.I have ridden to the Dragon-Flower Feast; I have soared on clouds to the Buddha's hall.I have caught mist and seized wind and gathered in the water monsters; I have snared dragons and tamed tigers and kept the mountains.For the people's peace I raised pagodas high; on the quiet sea the sharira's light shines deep.The tip of my paper-white spear can bind a monster; the sleeve of my black gown brings demons down.Now I dwell in quiet Bin city, and through the whole land they speak the name of Little Zhang!
The demon king heard and smiled a little coldly: "So, prince: you gave up your kingdom to follow that Bodhisattva Guoshi Wang—what art of long life did you cultivate, that it comes to catching water monsters in the Huai? And now you believe the lying talk of Sun Wukong and come over a thousand hills and rivers to give up your life? Let us see whether you live long and never grow old!"
Little Zhang's anger boiled; he thrust his spear straight at his face; the four generals fell on all together; the Great Sage Sun came up striking with his iron staff. A fine monster—he showed no fear at all, swung his short, soft wolf-tooth club, parrying left and blocking right, thrusting straight and charging across. A fine battle:
The little prince with his paper-white spear, and four kunwu swords stronger still.Wukong too swings the gold-banded staff; with one heart they ring the demon king and strike.The demon king truly has great powers; not one hair afraid, he blocks to left and right.The wolf-tooth club is a treasure from the Buddha's own house; swords hack and spears thrust, and cannot wound him.You hear the wild wind howling; you see foul vapors churning, vast and blurred.That one sets his mind on worldly display and shows his arts; this one gives his whole heart to worshiping the Buddha and fetching the scriptures.Many a charge, many a burst of fury.They spew cloud and mist and shut out the three lights; wrath boils and anger burns in each unwholesome breast.Long they had known the supreme law of the three vehicles; now a hundred arts drive them cruelly against each other.
The whole company fought a long time with no result. The demon reached again for his pouch. Pilgrim called again: "Everyone, look out!" The prince and the rest did not know what "look out" meant. With a swish the monster bagged the four generals and the prince, all of them. Only Pilgrim, forewarned, escaped. The demon king, victorious, went back to the monastery, had ropes brought, tied them, sent them to the cellar, sealed and locked it fast, and there we leave it.
Pilgrim shot up his somersault cloud into the sky, and seeing the monster march home and shut its gates, brought down his light and stood on the western slope, gazing in sorrow and weeping: "Master, I...
Since I took the teaching and entered the meditation grove, I owe the Bodhisattva my deep deliverance.I guard you west to seek the great Way, helping you together up to the Thunderclap.I thought only of the level road, though it winds like a sheep's gut; who thought a towering monster would fall on us?A hundred plans, a thousand ways, and still I cannot save you; begging east and pleading west, my heart labors for nothing.
Just as the Great Sage stood in misery, a colored cloud came down out of the southwest, and heavy rain fell over the whole hillside, and a voice called: "Wukong, do you know me?" Pilgrim hurried forward and looked—and the man:
Great ears, spreading jowls, a square face; bristling shoulders, full belly, a fat body.A breast full of spring, brimming with joy; two eyes like autumn waves, their light rippling.Open sleeves floating, rich in blessing; straw sandals carefree, spirit strong.The first venerable one in the field of bliss: Homage to Maitreya, the laughing monk.
Pilgrim hurried to bow: "Buddha come from the east, where are you going? Your disciple failed to stand aside—ten thousand pardons, ten thousand pardons." The Buddha said: "I have come precisely for this monster of Little Thunderclap." Pilgrim said: "How great is your kindness, my lord. May I ask where this demon is from, what spirit or monster he may be—and what manner of treasure that pouch of his is? I beg my lord to tell me." The Buddha said: "He is the yellow-browed page who keeps the chime before me. On the third of the third month I went to the assembly of the Primal One and left him to keep the palace, and he ran off with these treasures of mine and became a spirit shamming the Buddha. That pouch is my bag of the later heaven, called in common speech the Bag of Men's Seed. That wolf-tooth club is the mallet for striking the chime." Hearing this, Pilgrim cried out: "Fine laughing monk, you let this page slip away, and he falsely claims to be the Buddha and injures old Sun—surely this is a fault of loose discipline in your own house." Maitreya said: "First, it is true, I was careless and lost a servant; second, your master and disciples had not yet finished their appointed trials, and so a hundred spirits came down to the world, and you were due to suffer. I have come to gather him in for you."
Pilgrim said: "This demon's powers are vast, and you have no weapon—how will you take him?" Maitreya laughed: "I have set up a thatched hut at the foot of this slope and planted a field of melons here. Go and call him out to fight, and in the fighting be beaten—never win—and lead him to my melon patch. All my melons are unripe; you change into one great ripe melon. He will be sure to want a melon, and I will feed you to him. Once you are in his belly, do with him inside as you please. Then I will take his pouch and bag him up and carry him home." Pilgrim said: "The plan is clever—but how will you know my changed melon? And why would he follow me here?" Maitreya laughed: "I am the honored one who orders the world, with eyes of high discernment—how would I not know you? Change into anything you like, and I know it. My only fear is that the monster will not follow you; so I will teach you an art." Pilgrim said: "He will surely pouch me if he can—why would he follow? What art will bring him?" Maitreya laughed: "Hold out your hand." Pilgrim held out his left hand. Maitreya dipped his right forefinger in the magic water of his mouth and wrote the character "Forbidden" on Pilgrim's palm, and told him: keep the fist closed, and the moment you face the monster, open the hand—he will follow you.
Pilgrim closed his fist, glad of the lesson. Swinging his iron staff with one hand, he went straight outside the mountain gate and called: "Monster, your grandpa Sun is here again! Come out quickly, and we will see who is master." The little demons ran to report in a flurry. The demon king asked: "How many soldiers has he brought to call for battle this time?" The little demons said: "No soldiers at all—only himself." The demon king laughed: "The monkey is at the end of his plans and his strength, with no one left to ask—he is bringing his life to give away." He dressed himself in order, hung his treasure on him, raised his light, soft wolf-tooth club, marched out, and called: "Sun Wukong, this time you are done for." Pilgrim cursed: "Brazen monster, done for how?" The demon king said: "I see you are at the end of your plans and your strength, with no one left to ask, coming alone to prop yourself up. Once you are taken, no spirit soldiers will come to free you—that is why I say you are done for." Pilgrim said: "You monster, you do not know death when you see it. Less talk—take my staff." The demon king saw him swinging with one hand and could not help laughing: "Look at the monkey's cleverness—fighting a club with one hand!" Pilgrim said: "Boy, you could not stand two hands of mine. If I did not have to keep this fist shut, three or five more of you could not beat this one hand of old Sun's." The demon king heard and said: "Very well, very well. This time I will use no treasure, only fight you fair and see who is master." He raised the wolf-tooth club and came on to fight. Sun the Pilgrim, facing him, opened his fist and swung the staff with both hands. The monster, caught by the spell, never thought of falling back, and used no pouch at all, but drove at him with the club alone. Pilgrim feinted, lost the field, and ran, and the monster chased him straight to the foot of the western slope.
Pilgrim saw the melon field, rolled over, dived in, and changed into one great ripe melon, ripe and sweet. The monster stopped and looked all round, not knowing which way the Pilgrim had gone; then he hurried to the hut and called: "Whose melons are these?" Maitreya, changed into an old melon grower, came out of the hut and answered: "Great King, these melons are mine, your humble servant's." The demon king said: "Have you ripe ones?" Maitreya said: "There are ripe ones." The demon king called: "Pick me a ripe one; I am thirsty." Maitreya took the melon the Pilgrim had become and handed it to the demon king with both hands. The demon king, suspecting nothing, took it and bit in. At that moment the Pilgrim rolled down his gullet, and waiting for no niceties, set to work: he grabbed the guts, kneaded the belly, turned somersaults, stood on his head, doing with him inside as he pleased. The monster ground his teeth and pulled faces, eyes brimming with tears, and rolled about till the whole melon patch was like a threshing floor, crying only: "It is over, it is over! Who will save me?" Maitreya then showed his true form and said, all smiles: "Cursed beast, do you know me?" The monster looked up, saw him, and fell on his knees in a hurry, both hands kneading his belly, knocking his head against the ground, crying only: "Master, spare my life, spare my life! Never again!" Maitreya came up, seized him with one hand, unslung the bag of the later heaven, and snatched away the chime mallet, and called: "Sun Wukong, for my sake, spare his life."
But Pilgrim, bitter with hate, punched left and kicked right, digging and hammering inside him. The monster, past bearing, fell on the ground. Maitreya said again: "Wukong, he has had enough—let him go." Only then did Pilgrim call: "Open your mouth wide, and let old Sun out." The monster's belly was gripped with pain, but his heart was not yet hurt. The proverb says: "A man is not done for till his heart is hurt; when flowers fade and leaves fall, the root is dry." Hearing the call to open his mouth, he bore the pain and opened it wide. The Pilgrim jumped out, showed his true form, and whipped out his staff to strike—but the Buddha had already bagged the monster and slung him across his hip at the waist, mallet in hand, cursing: "Cursed beast! You stole the golden cymbal—where is it?" The monster, caring only to save his skin, groaned and whined from inside the bag: "Sun Wukong broke the golden cymbal." The Buddha said: "Broken? Then give me back the gold." The monster said: "The broken gold lies heaped on the lotus platform in the hall."
The Buddha took up the bag, mallet in hand, and said all smiles: "Wukong, come with me and find my gold." Seeing such power, how dared Pilgrim delay? He led the Buddha up the hill and back into the monastery to gather the broken gold. The mountain gate was shut fast; the Buddha pointed with the mallet and it opened. Inside, the little demons, hearing their old master was taken, were packing up their bags to flee in all directions. Pilgrim killed one for every one he saw, two for every two, and beat five or seven hundred little demons to death. Each showed its true form: mountain spirits and tree goblins, beast fiends and bird demons. The Buddha gathered the gold in one heap, blew magic breath, said a spell, and at once it returned to its root and source, and he had his golden cymbal whole again. He said good-bye to Pilgrim, mounted the auspicious clouds, and turned straight back to the World of Bliss.
Then the Great Sage freed the Tang monk, Bajie, and Sha Monk. The Idiot, half starved after days on the rope, did not stop to thank the Great Sage but bent double and ran to the kitchen for food. The monster had made ready the midday meal and, because of the battle, had not yet eaten it; the Idiot fell on it and ate half a pot. Then he fetched two basins, and master and brothers each had two bowls; only then did he thank Pilgrim. Asked the whole story of the monster, Pilgrim told it all in order: first asking the patriarch and the Tortoise and the Serpent, then the Great Sage of Sizhou and Prince Little Zhang, and last Maitreya taking the demon. Tripitaka thanked him without end, bowed to all the heavenly host, and asked: "Disciple, where are these holy ones held?" Pilgrim said: "Yesterday the day-duty officer told old Sun they are all in the cellar." He called: "Bajie, come with me and free them."
The Idiot, strong again on food, braced himself, found his nail rake, and with the Great Sage went to the back, broke open the cellar, untied every rope, and brought them all out beneath the jeweled tower. Tripitaka put on his kasaya and bowed to each of them in thanks, facing upward. Then the Great Sage saw the five dragons and the two generals back to Wudang, Prince Little Zhang and the four generals back to Bin city, and the twenty-eight mansions back to the heavenly court, and dismissed the revealers and the guardians, each to his own place.
Master and disciples rested there half the day, fed the white horse full, packed the loads, and set out the next morning. As they left, they set a fire and burned the jeweled towers, the jeweled seats, the high pavilions, and the lecture hall all to ash. And so it was:
Free of every tie they flee the peril; cleansed of every hindrance they walk out free.
But when they would reach the Great Thunderclap Monastery, who could say? Listen to the next chapter to find out.