Chapter 7: The Monkey King Fails to Fully Protect Tang Seng

Summary

In this chapter, Tang Seng, on his journey to the West to seek Buddhist scriptures, is saved by Liu Boqin, a hunter, from dangerous wild animals. Liu Boqin escorts him to a mountain where they encounter Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), who is trapped beneath a mountain. The Monkey King reveals his past and agrees to become Tang Seng's disciple, promising to protect him on the journey. After Tang Seng removes the Buddha's seal, the Monkey King is freed, and the journey to the West continues.

Content

Tang Seng, riding a fine horse, had been traveling westward for several days, leaving Chang'an, when he came to a mountain range near the border of the Great Tang. The mountain road became increasingly rugged and desolate. Suddenly, two fierce tigers appeared in front, and several long snakes appeared behind. Tang Seng, terrified, was at a loss and had no way to protect himself, so he resigned to fate. Just as the situation became critical, the tigers and snakes scattered in all directions. A man appeared, carrying a steel fork and a bow and arrows on his back, coming from the hillside.

The man approached Tang Seng and said, "Do not be afraid, master. I am a hunter from this mountain, named Liu Boqin, with the title of 'Mountain Guardian.' Where do you come from?" Tang Seng immediately thanked him and replied, "I am a monk from the Great Tang, on a mission to travel westward to seek Buddhist scriptures. I just encountered some fierce animals, but thanks to your timely arrival, they have all fled and saved my life. Thank you! Thank you!" Liu Boqin said, "I live here and make a living by hunting, so the wild beasts on this mountain fear me. Since you are from the Great Tang, I am also a citizen of the Great Tang. How about resting at my home for the night? I will accompany you tomorrow on your journey." Tang Seng was overjoyed and thanked Liu Boqin. He followed the man back to his home.

After a peaceful night, the next morning, Liu Boqin, carrying his steel fork and bow, escorted Tang Seng on his way. After traveling for half a day, they arrived at the foot of a tall mountain. Liu Boqin sent Tang Seng halfway up the mountain and said, "Master, this mountain is called Two-World Mountain. Once we cross it, we will no longer be in the Great Tang's territory, and the wild beasts there do not fear me. I cannot accompany you any further." Tang Seng was about to ask Liu Boqin to accompany him a little farther when they suddenly heard a loud cry from the base of the mountain, "Master! Master!" The voice was so loud that it made Tang Seng turn pale with fright. Liu Boqin hurriedly said, "Do not be afraid, master. That must be the old monkey in the stone cave at the foot of the mountain calling out." Tang Seng was puzzled, "What old monkey?" Liu Boqin explained, "This mountain was originally called Wuxing Mountain. Later, after the Great Tang conquered the West and established peace, it was renamed Two-World Mountain. According to the old stories, when Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty, this mountain fell from the sky, trapping a divine monkey beneath it. Do not be afraid; let us go down and see."

Reluctantly, Tang Seng followed Liu Boqin to the base of the mountain. There, they saw a monkey with its head sticking out, waving its arms and calling, "Master, why have you come so late? Hurry and rescue me, and I will protect you on your journey to the West!" Tang Seng stepped forward and asked, "Who are you? Why are you trapped beneath the mountain? How can I help you?" The monkey king replied, "I am the Monkey King who caused great havoc in Heaven 500 years ago. Because I rebelled against Heaven, I was trapped here by Buddha. When Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva came to the East to find a monk to take the scriptures, she advised me to follow a disciple and protect him on the journey to the West." Tang Seng was overjoyed and said, "Since Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has given you this instruction, I will take you as my disciple. But I do not have any axes or tools to rescue you. How can I free you?" The Monkey King replied, "You do not need axes. If you simply go up the mountain and remove the Buddha’s seal, I will be free."

Tang Seng asked Liu Boqin to accompany him up the mountain, and when they reached the top, they saw golden light shining everywhere. On a large stone, there was a seal with the words "Om Mani Padme Hum" written in golden characters. Tang Seng knelt in front of the seal, prayed, and then reached out and easily removed the seal. He and Liu Boqin returned to the base of the mountain, where the Monkey King called out, "Master, you may leave now, and I will come out." Liu Boqin and Tang Seng walked a few miles away, but then heard the Monkey King call, "Go farther!" They kept walking, and after a loud crash, as if the mountain had split, the Monkey King appeared before them, bowing four times to Tang Seng and thanking Liu Boqin for his help. The Monkey King then went to pack his belongings.

The Monkey King, whose real name was Sun Wukong, agreed to accompany Tang Seng on the journey to the West.