Monkey King II

One most popular name of Monkey, particularly in Taiwan, is Kao ze tian (猴丈天) in Hoklo, which is pronounced Hou-qi-tian. Hou or kao is “monkey.” Qi-tian is the first two words of an honorific name the Jade Emperor conferred on him. The honorific name is Qi-tian-da-sheng (齊天大聖) or Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Another popular name is Da-sheng-ya (大聖爺) or Great Sage Lord. While in a pilgrimage to India according to the Journey to the West, Monkey is often called Xing-zhe (), a person engaged in performing religious austerities or a Buddhist ascetic-devotee.

After finding an ideal residence for his huge troop of monkeys, Monkey King lived comfortably for some 300 to 500 years at his Water Curtain Cave (水濂洞). Then he found his life might come to an end shortly, and decided to learn how to prolong it or become an immortal. Off he went to Ling Fang Zhun Shan (靈方寸山) or Mount Spirit Square Inch to become a disciple of Patriarch Subhuti (須菩提) or Wisdom (Bodhi) Necessary at the Xieh-yue-san-xing-dong (斜月三星洞) or Tilted Moon Three-Star Cave. It's Subhuti who gave Monkey the name Sun Wukong.

Monkey studied under Subhuti for 20 years. He learned practically everything his master could teach, including the 72 ways of transformation or qi-shi-er-bian (七十二變). He could also ride on clouds, the magic trick known as jindouyun (筋斗雲) or cloud somersault, traveling 180,000 li (two kilometers to a li) by one leap. His primary weapon is the ruyi-jingu-bang (如意棒) or will-following golden-banded staff, which used to be a pillar supporting the undersea palace of the East Sea Dragon King, weighing 13,500 pounds. Monkey could shrink the staff into a tiny needle he could hide behind an ear. When he wanted to fight, he could make the golden-banded cudgel to whatever size he needed. The weapon follows his will.

Subhuti knew Monkey had yet to lose his beast nature. So, the master had to let the disciple go. On sending Monkey off, Subuti warned: “You're going (out) this time. Your nature isn't stable and you may cause trouble and disaster. But whatever you do, I forbid you, you shouldn't profess, acknowledge or say that you are my disciple.”

Monkey went back to his Water Curtain Cave. As his master predicted, he started causing trouble and disaster everywhere. Even deities, ghosts and gods were disturbed. Complaints against him finally reached Heaven. The Jade Emperor, who is supposed to be lenient, decided to appease Monkey. He sent his messenger, Dai-bai-xing-jun (太白星君) or Great White Star Lord, who is often identified as Vesper, to Water Curtain Cave to summon Monkey to his heavenly court, where an appointment would be announced.

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