Monkey King

It is said that in ancient times there was a magic rock on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit of Aolai County in Tungsheng State.The rock had been favored the elements of nature for millions of years.Then,one day,suddenly,it burst open,giving birth to a stone egg from which a stone monkey emerged.

The stone monkey joined a band of monkeys on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit.One day as they were playing they came upon a curtain of water covering the entrance to a ****.The monkeys agreed that whoever was brave enough to pass through the water into the **** would be their king.Only the stone monkey dared to enter the ****.

In the **** were stone pots,bowls,beds and benches.On a stone pillar in the middle of the **** there was an inscription:"This **** of the Water Curtain leads to heaven."

From that day on,the monkeys played by day and slept in the **** by night.They accepted the stone monkey as their king.The stone monkey started to call himself "Monkey King",casting off,for all time,the word "stone".

One day the Monkey King turned sad.He worried that he would die and would not enjoy the pleasures of life forever.One of the monkeys had read the King's mind and he said,"In the world,only Sages,Immortals and Buddhas are live forever."On hearing these words,the Monkey King's sadness turned to joy.He said,"I will try to find immortality wherever it is.I shall set out tomorrow."

The next day,the Monkey King set out on a raft to travel across the sea.After travelling for many years,he still had not learned the way to immortality.He passed through South Chanpu State and then crossed the Western Sea.Finally,he came to the territory of West Niuhe State.

The Monkey King had been in West Niuhe State for many years but could find no immortals.Undaunted,he continued his travels.Finally he was directed to climb a high mountain where he found a **** in the deep forest.There carved on the wall of a cliff,were the words,"**** of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars."

The gate of the **** was shut,so the Monkey King had to wait outsides.After a while,a fairy child came out.He said,"My master,P'u-t'i,told me that a man who wishes to practice Buddhism is waiting outside the gate.Is it you?"The Monkey King hastened to answer,"Yes,it is I."

The Monkey King was led by the fairy to visit the Master. The Master took pity on his being an orphan.Because the Monkey King had no surname,the Master called him"Wu-k'ung Sun."

The Master let Wu-k'ung sweep the grounds,hoe the weeds,plant flowers and trees,cut wood and carry water just as the senior disciples did.Wu-k'ung was very obedient and diligent in all of his efforts for the Master.This lasted for seven years.