chapter 1

The Birth of the Stone Monkey and the Quest for Immortality

Poem:

Chaos ruled before the world formed.
No one could see the vast, boundless world.

Since Pangu opened the primordial void,
We separated the clear from the murky.
And life began to take shape.

From the immense compassion of the heavens,
Myriad things were created and became good.

To understand the workings of creation,
One must read the Journey to the West.
The story of liberation and enlightenment.

The ancient wisdom divides the life span of heaven and earth into cycles of 129,600 years. Twelve periods divide each cycle, representing the twelve earthly branches: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each period lasts 1,800 years.

To explain this through a day’s cycle:
In the Rat hour, the sun’s energy rises, while the Rooster’s crowing marks the dawn.
At the Tiger hour, the light fades, and the Rabbit signals the sun’s rise.
The dragon hour marks the time after eating, and the snake hour follows with the rise of the midday sun.
At noon, the sun is at its zenith, and as the sheep hour arrives, the sun begins to decline.
Then the monkey hour marks the afternoon, with the rooster hour bringing the evening.
At the dog hour, dusk settles, and the pig hour brings the night.
In the grand scheme, the cycle ends at the dog hour, bringing the world into twilight.
And with the start of the next cycle, a gradual return of light emerges, marking the birth of a new day.

The Birth of the Stone Monkey

Pangu had formed the world, and the three sovereigns ruled, bringing order to the earth. Pangu divided the world into four continents: the Eastern Shénzhou, the Western Niuheshé, the Southern Jambudvpa, and the Northern Kuru. This story focuses on the Eastern Shénzhou, where an island nation called Aolai lay by the sea.
Huaguo Mountain, the source of the world’s spirit, stood on this island. It stood as the root of the ten continents—the backbone of the three islands—formed from the separation of the pure and the impure after Pangu’s opening of the world.

The mountain was a truly magnificent place, with grand peaks and mystical caves, home to immortal beings. The land was rich in natural beauty, with waterfalls, ancient trees, and sacred herbs. The mountain’s stone core gave birth to a mystical egg, which, upon exposure to the wind, hatched into a stone monkey.

The Monkey’s Journey

This monkey, born of stone, quickly learned to walk and climb, becoming skilled at surviving in the wilderness. He ate plants, drank from streams, and lived alongside wild animals. He befriended tigers, wolves, and deer and spent his nights in caves and his days climbing the mountain.

He learned from the natural world, and when the hot summer days came, the monkeys gathered beneath the trees to rest. One day, the monkey ventured further up the mountain to find the source of a stream, and he discovered a waterfall, which led him to a sacred and hidden cave. People believed that the essence of the universe concentrated in this cave, a place of immortality.

With his newfound knowledge and strength, the stone monkey began to grow more powerful, developing mystical abilities. His eyes shone with golden light, and he became known as the “Great Sage Equal to Heaven.”

The Monkey King’s ascension and the discovery of the Water Curtain Cave

The monkeys clapped their hands and cheered, saying, “What fine water! What fine water! It seems this stream leads all the way down to the foot of the mountain, right to the sea!” They added, “Whoever can dive in and find the source without harm shall be our king!” They repeated this call three times, when suddenly, from the thicket, a stone monkey leapt out and shouted, “I’ll go in! I’ll go in!”

This was the moment of his rise to fame.
His name would shine,
His destiny had led him to this locati0n.
The king would send him to the celestial palace.

The stone monkey closed his eyes, crouched, and then leapt into the waterfall. When he opened his eyes and looked around, he found there was no water or current—only a clear, bright stone bridge. He steadied himself, observing the surroundings. To his surprise, it was an iron bridge. The water flowed through stone cracks beneath the bridge, creating a curtain of water that obscured the entrance. He stepped back, climbed up to the bridge, and crossed it to find what seemed like a human dwelling.

What he saw was remarkable:
Lush moss piled on the stone,
White clouds floated like jade,
Light shimmered like mist and smoke.
A tranquil room with smooth stone seats and flower patterns carved into the wood was visible through the open windows.
Dragon pearls hung from the rocky walls, and flowers of all kinds covered the ground.
Beside the cliffs, there were traces of a fire, along with old cooking utensils and dishes.
Perfectly carved stone beds and tables littered the area.
There were bamboo poles and plum trees.
The pines consistently appeared to be carrying rain.
The entire place exuded a sense of belonging.

After a considerable amount of time, the stone monkey crossed the middle of the bridge and came across a large stone tablet bearing the following inscription:
“Blessed land of Huaguo Mountain, Water Curtain Cave—A heaven on earth.”

Overcome with joy, the stone monkey jumped out of the water and cried, “What wonderful fortune! What wonderful fortune!”
The monkeys gathered around him, eager to know what lay beyond.
“What’s inside? How deep is the water?” they asked.
The stone monkey replied, “No water! No water! It’s actually an iron bridge. Beyond it is a wonderful place, a perfect home for us.”
“How do you know it’s a home?”
The stone monkey smiled and explained, “The water flows beneath the bridge, concealing the entrance.” Beyond it, there are flowers, trees, and a stone house. Inside, there are stone nests, stone stoves, stone bowls, stone beds, and stone seats. And on a stone tablet, it says, ‘Blessed land of Huaguo Mountain, Water Curtain Cave—a heaven on earth.’ Truly, this is where we can settle. It’s big enough for hundreds or even thousands of us, and we can live here without worrying about the weather.”

He continued:
“When the wind blows, we can find shelter,
When it rains, we can stay dry.
The frost and snow will never harm us.
And we’ll never hear the thunder.
Light always fills the space.
Filled with positive omens and fortune.
Pines and bamboo flourish year-round.
And strange flowers bloom every day.”

The monkeys were overjoyed. They urged the stone monkey to lead them in. “Go first! Lead us in!” they cried.
The stone monkey closed his eyes and jumped into the cave, calling, “Come with me! Come with me!”
The brave monkeys jumped in, and even the timid ones soon followed, climbing through the water, each grabbing bowls and spoons, fighting for space as they began to settle in. The mischievous monkeys ran around, moving objects here and there, until they exhausted themselves.

The stone monkey sat calmly and said, “Listen, my friends, ‘a man without trust is unreliable.’ You all said that whoever could enter and leave safely without harm would be our king. Now, I’ve gone in and out and found a safe haven for all of us. Why don’t you honor me as king?”
The monkeys, listening to his words, immediately bowed in obedience. They arranged themselves in order, paying homage, and all called him “Great King, Eternal King.” From that day on, the stone monkey rose to the throne, hiding his “stone” identity and taking the name “Great Monkey King.”

Poem of the Great Monkey King:

When the three suns align, life is born.
The immortal stone contains the essence of the sun and moon.
The monkey reincarnates from an egg,
And through fate, he rises to greatness.
Inwardly, he is without form,
Outwardly, he creates his own shape.

The Journey of the Monkey King: Seeking Immortality

Throughout the ages, many have followed this path, declaring themselves kings and sages, with power and authority at their command. The Beautiful Monkey King, surrounded by a group of monkeys, including apes, macaques, and horse monkeys, appointed ministers, aides, and officials. They spent their days exploring Huaguo Mountain and resting at the Water Curtain Cave. They lived in harmony, free from the constraints of birds or beasts, ruling as one with unparalleled joy.

Thus:

In spring, they gathered flowers for food.
In summer, they sought fruits to sustain them.
In autumn, they harvested yams and chestnuts.
In winter, they searched for yellow ginseng to pass the cold months.

The Beautiful Monkey King lived in bliss, surrounded by heavenly delights. However, despite his happiness, one day during a grand feast with his fellow monkeys, he suddenly fell into a mood of sorrow, tears rolling down his face. The other monkeys, alarmed, rushed to him and asked, “Why do you seem so troubled, Your Majesty?”
The Monkey King replied, “Though I am happy now, there is a concern that troubles me in the back of my mind.”

The monkeys laughed and said, “Your Majesty, what is there to worry about? We live freely in this blessed land of celestial mountains and ancient caves, untouched by the rules of kings and free from the authority of the phoenix or qilin (mythical creatures), the heavenly beasts. We are the luckiest of beings. Why worry?”

The Monkey King sighed, “Although I am free from earthly kings and wild beasts today, I know that in the future, as I grow old, my strength will fade, and I will be subject to the rule of the King of Hell. Once I die, I will not be able to remain among the immortals forever.”
Upon hearing this, the monkeys were filled with sorrow, lamenting the inevitable impermanence of life.

At that moment, a long-tailed monkey leapt forward and spoke with authority, “Your Majesty, if you are so concerned, you are showing true wisdom. Among the five types of creatures, only three can transcend the cycle of life and death. These beings are the Buddha, the Immortals, and the Holy Sages, who are not governed by the King of Hell.”

The Monkey King asked, “Where can I find these beings?”
The monkey replied, “They live within the world of the humans, in the ancient caves of the celestial mountains.”
Hearing this, the Monkey King was filled with joy and declared, “Tomorrow, I shall leave you all and travel to the ends of the earth to seek out these beings and learn the secret to immortality. I will become one of them and live forever, free from the grasp of the King of Hell.”

With this vow, the Monkey King broke free from the cycle of reincarnation and set off on his journey, ultimately earning the title of “Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.” The monkeys cheered and clapped, all agreeing to join him on his quest to search for these immortals.

The next day, the monkeys set off to gather fruits and herbs—peaches of immortality, rare berries, ginseng, orchids, and exotic flowers. They arranged everything neatly and set up a feast for their king.

What a feast it was!
Golden fruits like cherries and peaches,
Red plums and sweet litchis,
Longan and lychees,
Apples, pears, and plums,
Fresh and ripe, each fruit more delicious than the next.
They had yams and chestnuts, fresh herbs like ginseng, and fragrant flowers from the forest. They even had rare teas made from walnuts and grapes and the finest wines brewed from tropical fruits.

As the monkeys enjoyed the feast, they took turns presenting their offerings to the Beautiful Monkey King. They drank and celebrated for an entire day, reveling in their joy.

The next morning, the Beautiful Monkey King rose early and gave instructions: “My subjects, gather some dry pinewood, make a raft, and bring a bamboo pole. We will set off on a journey. Bring along some fruits and supplies.”
He set out alone on the raft, pushing through the waters, letting the wind guide him toward the southern continent. With every stroke of the bamboo pole, he set sail toward the land of the immortals.

As he journeyed on, he thought:

The heavenly-born immortal monkey walks the path of enlightenment,
Leaving his mountain, he sails with the wind.
Across oceans and seas, he seeks the way of immortality,
Determined to build a legacy that will last for eternity.
With destiny and fate on his side, he will transcend earthly desires,
And join the immortal dragons in eternal peace.

The Monkey King, always driven by destiny and the pursuit of wisdom, eventually reached the southeastern shores. After several days of sailing with the winds at his back, he arrived at the northwest shore of the South Continent. He tested the waters with his pole, found them shallow, and abandoned the raft to jump onto dry land. There, he saw fishermen casting nets, hunters pursuing wild geese, and others digging clams or collecting salt.

Approaching them, the Monkey King decided to play a trick. He disguised himself as a tiger, scaring the locals into abandoning their work and fleeing in panic. He caught one of them, stripped him of his clothes, and wore them, mimicking their actions. He learned their manners and speech, wandering from town to town, all the while searching for the teachings of immortality. He observed that everyone seemed obsessed with fame and fortune, none truly concerned with the deeper meaning of life. This reflected the common human obsession:

How long can one pursue fame and fortune?
We wake up early and sleep late, leaving no time for freedom!
They were riding donkeys and mules, dreaming of swift steeds.
Holding government positions and aspiring to nobility.
The only concern is the daily struggle to obtain food and shelter.
Why fear the call of Yama, the King of Hell?
Even sons and grandsons aspire to wealth and glory.
But no one turns back to seek a path to eternal life!

The Monkey King spent many years on the South Continent, traveling through towns, villages, and mountains, until he found himself at the edge of the Western Ocean. He believed that somewhere beyond the seas, immortals must exist. Taking to the raft once more, he sailed across the Western Sea, reaching the land of the Western Bull Heaven (a region symbolic of ancient myths).

As he disembarked, he wandered into a beautiful, secluded mountain range, untouched by the world. The landscape was stunning.

Thousands of peaks rose like halberds,
And the cliffs formed a natural screen.
The sun’s rays shimmered on the mist, casting a green glow.
The rain cast the landscape in shades of blue.
Twisting vines clung to ancient trees,
Strange flowers and herbs filled the air.
The bamboo groves and towering pines stood tall.
While the flowers bloomed year-round.
The mountain echoed with the sounds of birds.
And clear springs babbled down the valleys.
The peaceful landscape could only be a sage’s home.

While admiring the scenery, the Monkey King heard a voice from deep in the forest. He hurried toward it, following the sound of a song. The song went:

“Chopping wood and carrying firewood, 
Slowly walking by the valley’s edge, 
Selling firewood, drinking wine, 
Laughing freely, lost in joy. 
In the autumn, as we stroll along the peaceful path and sleep beneath the pine trees, 
Awake to the dawn with clear skies.”

The Monkey King, overjoyed, thought, “This must be the place where immortals reside!” He rushed toward the voice, only to find a simple woodcutter chopping firewood. The woodcutter wore a bamboo hat made from new shoots, a coarse linen robe, and shoes made from straw. He carried a sturdy axe and fashioned his belt from silkworm thread.

The Monkey King, seeing this humble figure, exclaimed, “Old Immortal! I am here to learn from you!”
The woodcutter, startled, dropped his axe and turned to greet him. “I am no immortal,” he said humbly. “I am just an ordinary man, struggling to make a living.”
“But you speak like an immortal!” inquired the Monkey King. Just now, I heard you sing, ‘Wherever one meets, either an immortal or a sage, calmly sitting and discussing the way of Tao.’ What is this if not the language of immortals?”
The woodcutter laughed and said, “Actually, this phrase is something a true immortal taught me. He resides near my home and has noticed my troubles. He advised me to recite this phrase whenever I feel anxious. It calms the mind and relieves the heart. I never thought you would hear it.”

The Monkey King, eager to learn more, asked, “Since you live so close to this immortal, why don’t you go and study with him to learn the way of immortality?”
“I dedicate myself to caring for my elderly mother,” the woodcutter replied. Since my father died when I was young, I’ve had no siblings, and I must support her. I have no time to seek out immortality. I work here, cutting wood and selling it, simply to buy some rice and make tea for her. I cannot leave.”

The Monkey King, impressed by the woodcutter’s filial devotion, encouraged him, “You are truly a virtuous person, and your future will be blessed. However, could you please tell me where I can find this immortal? I must meet him and learn the way of immortality.”
The woodcutter replied, “It’s not far. We call this mountain Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. The immortal Master Xu Potian resides in a cave known as the Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave. His disciples are many, and you can find him if you follow the small path south for about seven or eight miles.”

The Monkey King, eager to meet the immortal, grabbed the woodcutter’s sleeve and said, “Please, come with me. If I find something useful, I will never forget your help.”
The woodcutter, shaking his head, replied, “You do not understand. If I leave with you, who will look after my mother? My business will suffer. Go on your own.”

Reluctantly, the Monkey King parted ways with the woodcutter and traveled the path alone. After walking for about seven or eight miles, he came to the entrance of a cave. It was a perfect place to live, surrounded by mist and beautiful scenery.

The air shimmered with a colorful glow.
Ancient trees stood tall,
A bridge crossed a stream,
And strange flowers bloomed at the entrance.
The cliffs were covered with moss.
And every corner seemed to hold magic.
He could hear the cry of cranes and see phoenixes soaring overhead.
It was a truly otherworldly place.

As he neared the cave, he noticed a stone plaque bearing the following message:

“Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, 
Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave.”

The Monkey King, filled with joy, said, “This is the place I’ve been searching for!” He waited for a moment, unsure whether to knock on the door. Instead, he jumped to the top of a pine tree, picked some pine nuts, and played in the branches.

The Birth of Sun Wukong: A Journey of Wisdom

Not long after, the Monkey King heard a sound—a sudden “Aha!”—as the cave door swung open. Out stepped a celestial youth, radiating an extraordinary presence. His appearance was strikingly different from ordinary mortals. He wore flowing robes with sleeves that billowed in the wind, tied his hair in a double knot, and exuded a serene, almost otherworldly demeanor. His appearance seemed to match the tranquility of his heart, untouched by the affairs of the world.

This youth was a being who had lived in this remote mountain for ages, unaffected by outside dust. The youth addressed the Monkey King:

“Who goes there, disturbing the peace?”

With a quick leap, the Monkey King descended from the tree and approached with a respectful bow.

“I am a disciple pursuing the path of immortality, honorable youth.” I mean no disturbance,” the Monkey King said.

The celestial youth smiled knowingly. “You seek immortality, do you? My master has just arrived and is about to begin a discourse. He told me to open the door for someone who is coming to learn. It must be you.”

The Monkey King, elated, replied, “Yes, it is I!”

“Come, follow me,” the youth instructed.

The Monkey King straightened his robes and followed the youth into the depths of the cave, passing through layer upon layer of exquisite pavilions, pearl-studded palaces, and quiet, serene chambers. Eventually, they reached a grand hall where the venerable Master Xu Potian, the sage of the mountain, sat in meditation on a high platform. Around him stood thirty small immortals in attendance.

At that moment, the Monkey King saw the powerful master and immediately prostrated himself, bowing repeatedly, crying out, “Master! Master! I, your humble disciple, greet you with full devotion.”

Master Xu Potian, without opening his eyes, asked, “Where do you come from? State your name and origin clearly before you pay your respects again.”

The Monkey King, still kneeling, replied, “I am from the Eastern Victory Continent, from the kingdom of Ao Lai, born in the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain.”

The master suddenly grew stern. “Leave! You are but a deceiver; what do you know of the way of immortality?” he thundered.

The Monkey King, frantic, pleaded, “Master, I speak only the truth. There is no deceit in my words.”

The sage paused for a moment, then asked, “If you speak the truth, how could you come from the Eastern Victory Continent? That place is across two vast seas and beyond the Southern Continent. How could you have traveled here?”

The Monkey King bowed his head. “I have crossed vast oceans and traveled for many years, until I finally arrived here.”

Master Xu Potian, after a brief silence, asked, “What is your surname?”

The Monkey King hesitated and replied, “I have no surname. If people insult me, I do not get angry; if they strike me, I do not feel resentment. I live without a name.”

The master raised an eyebrow. “You have no surname? And no parents either?”

The Monkey King replied, “I have no parents. I was born from a stone. One year, a magical stone on Flower Fruit Mountain cracked open, revealing me.

Hearing this, the master felt a quiet joy. “So, you were born of the heavens and the earth, not of any ordinary lineage,” he said with approval. “Come, stand up and show me how you move.”

The Monkey King leapt to his feet and danced around the room, twisting and turning.

The sage smiled and said, “Although your appearance is rough, you resemble a monkey that feeds on pine nuts. Let me give you a surname. Since you are a true child of nature, I will name you ‘Sun,’ from the ancient word for’sun’—a symbol of vitality and life.”

The Monkey King, overjoyed, shouted, “Yes, yes, yes! I will now go by the name Sun Wukong!

Master Xu Potian nodded with satisfaction. “You are the tenth disciple in my lineage. I will also give you a spiritual name: Wukong, meaning ‘Awakened to Emptiness.’ This will guide you on your path.”

The monkey king laughed joyously. “From this day forth, I shall be known as Sun Wukong!”

The Monkey King’s quest for wisdom and immortality began when he received his true name.