Chapter 8: Avalokitesvara Assists in Subduing the White Dragon Horse

Summary

In this chapter, Sun Wukong and Tang Seng encounter a dragon who swallows Tang Seng's white horse. Wukong fights the dragon, but it hides in the water. With the help of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the dragon is subdued and transformed back into the horse. The Bodhisattva also provides Wukong with three magical hairs for protection. The group continues their journey westward, overcoming challenges along the way.

Content

Sun Wukong continued to protect Tang Seng on their journey westward. After several days, Tang Seng, riding his horse, heard the sound of water in the distance and asked, "Wukong, where is that water sound coming from?" Wukong replied, "Master, I believe this area is called Snake Coil Mountain and Eagle Sigh Gorge. The sound must be from the gorge." Soon, they arrived at the edge of the gorge. Suddenly, a dragon emerged from the water and charged toward Tang Seng. Wukong quickly lifted Tang Seng off his horse and began to flee. The dragon, unable to catch up, swallowed the horse and its saddle before diving back into the water.

When Wukong returned and saw only the luggage but no horse, he told Tang Seng, "Master, the horse is gone. It might have been eaten by the dragon." Tang Seng lamented, "Without the horse, how can I travel across these mountains and rivers?" He began to cry. Wukong, irritated, snapped, "Master, don't be such a weakling! Stay here! I'll go find the dragon and make it return the horse." Tang Seng grabbed Wukong's arm, saying, "Where will you find it? What if it comes out again and harms me?"

Just then, a voice from above spoke, "Great Sage, do not be angry. Tang Yudi, do not be sad. We are sent by Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to secretly protect the pilgrims." Upon hearing this, Tang Seng immediately bowed in respect. Wukong asked, "Who are you?" The voice replied, "We are the Six Ding and Six Jia, the Five Phases Revealing Spirits, the Four Guardian Angels, and the Eighteen Protectors of the Dharma. We are here to watch over you." Wukong asked, "Who is on duty today?" The spirits responded, "The Ding Jia, Guardian Angels, and Protectors take turns. The Five Phases Revealing Spirits, especially the Golden-headed Revealing Spirit, are always close at hand." Wukong said, "Since that's the case, the others can leave. Only the Six Ding Generals, the daily guardian angels, and the Revealing Spirits should protect my master. I will go find the evil dragon and get my horse back." With that, Wukong flew to the gorge, pulling out his Golden Cudgel and shouting, "You mud fish! Return my horse!"

The dragon, having eaten Tang Seng's white horse, was resting at the bottom of the gorge when it heard the insults. It grew enraged, leaping out of the water, and shouted, "Who dares to insult me?" Wukong called out, "Don't run! Return my horse!" The two began to fight, with Wukong swinging his cudgel and the dragon using its claws to attack. After a prolonged battle, the dragon, exhausted, retreated into the water and ignored Wukong's taunts. Wukong had no choice but to return to Tang Seng and said, "Master, the evil dragon is afraid of me and is hiding underwater."

Tang Seng replied, "A few days ago, you claimed you could subdue dragons and tigers, but why can't you handle this one?" Wukong quickly responded, "Master, I will go back and challenge it once more." Wukong flew back to the gorge and used his powers to stir up the waters, making the gorge boil like a cauldron. The dragon, disturbed by the disturbance, leaped out of the water again and cursed, "Who are you to bully me?" Wukong answered, "I don't care where I'm from. Just return my horse and I'll spare your life." The dragon retorted, "The horse is already in my stomach. How can I return it? If I don't want to, what can you do?" Wukong raised his cudgel, shouting, "If you don't return the horse, I'll strike you dead and make you pay with your life!" They fought again, but after only a few rounds, the dragon, unable to withstand Wukong's strength, transformed into a water snake and slithered into the grass.

Wukong pursued and searched the grass with his cudgel but couldn't find the dragon. Enraged, he summoned the local mountain and earth spirits. They knelt before him and said, "We are the mountain and earth spirits here." Wukong asked, "Where did this evil dragon come from, and why did it eat my master's horse?" The mountain and earth spirits explained, "Some time ago, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva saved a jade dragon and sent it here to wait for the pilgrims. It was forbidden from causing trouble, but it seems something went wrong today." Wukong then asked, "The dragon transformed into a water snake and hid in the grass. Do you know where it went?" The earth spirit replied, "There are countless passages in Eagle Sigh Gorge. It must have hidden in one of them. There's no need for you to be angry. Just call for Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and she can subdue it."

Wukong went back to Tang Seng and reported what had happened. Tang Seng said, "If we go to call the Bodhisattva, when will we return? I'm hungry!" Just then, the Golden-headed Revealing Spirit called out, "Great Sage, you don't need to go yourself. I will ask the Bodhisattva for help." Wukong was delighted and said, "Then please, I leave it to you." The Golden-headed Revealing Spirit traveled to the South Sea and explained the situation to Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva replied, "The dragon is the third son of the Dragon King of the West Sea. He committed a grave offense by setting fire to the hall's precious pearls, and I pleaded with the Jade Emperor for his life. He was sent to serve as a mount for the pilgrim, but how did he end up eating the horse? I will go immediately."

Soon, the Bodhisattva arrived with the Revealing Spirit at Eagle Sigh Gorge. She looked down and saw Wukong calling out. She instructed the Revealing Spirit to summon Wukong. Wukong flew up and shouted at the Bodhisattva, "You, compassionate Bodhisattva, how can you harm me like this?" The Bodhisattva replied, "You rebellious monkey! I saved you, and yet you complain about me." Wukong retorted, "Bodhisattva, if you were so kind, why did you put a crown on me and make me suffer with the Headache Sutra? Isn't that harming me?" The Bodhisattva laughed, "It's because you are so unruly. That's why I had to use the crown to control you." Wukong grumbled but relented.

The Bodhisattva continued, "The dragon was originally guilty, and I pleaded for his life. He was meant to serve the pilgrims. But now, why did he eat your horse?" Wukong replied, "He hid when I frightened him. What should we do now?" The Bodhisattva instructed the Revealing Spirit to call the dragon. The dragon, hearing the call, transformed into human form and came out, bowing to the Bodhisattva. He explained that he had been waiting for the pilgrims and had not meant to cause harm.

The Bodhisattva then took a pearl from the dragon’s neck and used a willow branch dipped in nectar to touch him. With a wave of her hand, the dragon transformed back into the white horse. She told the dragon, "You must now protect Tang Seng on his journey westward, and once the mission is completed, you will attain Buddhahood." To Wukong, she said, "Take the horse to Tang Seng. I must return to the South Sea." Wukong expressed his reluctance, but the Bodhisattva reminded him to not grow lazy, as she would help in times of great need. She gave him three magical hairs that could save him in times of danger.

Wukong returned with the white horse, which seemed even stronger than before. Tang Seng asked where Wukong had found it. Wukong explained that the Bodhisattva had transformed the dragon into the horse. Tang Seng was amazed but then wondered how to ride the horse without a saddle. They found a fisherman who agreed to ferry them across the gorge, and once across, the fisherman disappeared. Wukong revealed that the fisherman was actually the water god of the gorge. Tang Seng thanked the fisherman, and they continued their journey westward.