**Before chaos was divided into heaven and earth, the universe was in turmoil, shrouded in an indistinct and unseen void.**

　　**Since Pangu shattered the primordial darkness, clarity and murkiness were distinguished from then on.**

　　**All living beings rely on the benevolence of the heavens, and the creation of all things leads to goodness.**

　　**To understand the origin of the world's creation, one must delve into the *Journey to the West*.**

　　It is said that the cosmic cycle spans 129,600 years, forming a 'yuan.' A 'yuan' is divided into twelve 'hui,' corresponding to the twelve earthly branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai. Each 'hui' spans 10,800 years. To illustrate this with a single day:

　　- During the Zi hour, the yang energy begins to rise;

　　- In the Chou hour, the rooster crows;

　　- At Yin, darkness remains;

　　- In Mao, the sun rises;

　　- At Chen, one eats breakfast;

　　- In Si, activities commence;

　　- During the Wu hour, the sun is at its zenith;

　　- At Wei, it begins to decline in the west;

　　- In Shen, the sun sets;

　　- In You, twilight falls;

　　- At Xu, the evening deepens;

　　- In Hai, the night becomes still.

　　Similarly, in the grand cycle, when the Xu 'hui' concludes, the world grows dim, and all things fade away. After another 5,400 years, the beginning of the Hai 'hui' brings darkness, where nothing exists between heaven and earth, thus returning to chaos. After another 5,400 years, as the Hai 'hui' nears its end, the cosmos begins to regenerate as it approaches the Zi 'hui,' gradually becoming clear again. Shao Yong once said, "At the winter solstice, the heart of heaven remains unchanged. When the first yang stirs, all things are yet unborn." At this point, the heavens begin to take root.

　　After another 5,400 years, during the Zi 'hui,' the light and pure elements ascend, giving rise to the sun, moon, stars, and constellations, collectively known as the Four Symbols. Thus, it is said that heaven opened during the Zi 'hui.' Another 5,400 years pass, and the Zi 'hui' draws to a close, approaching the Chou 'hui,' where solidity begins to form. The *I Ching* declares, "Great indeed is the qian yuan! Magnificent indeed is the kun yuan! All things are born, following the order of heaven." At this point, the earth begins to solidify.

　　After another 5,400 years, during the Chou 'hui,' the heavy and dense elements descend, creating water, fire, mountains, rocks, and soil, known as the Five Forms. Thus, it is said that the earth was shaped during the Chou 'hui.' Another 5,400 years pass, and the Chou 'hui' ends, ushering in the Yin 'hui,' which marks the beginning of life. The ancient texts state, "Heavenly energy descends, earthly energy rises; when heaven and earth unite, all creatures are born." At this point, heaven and earth are clear, and yin and yang merge.

　　After another 5,400 years, during the Yin 'hui,' humans, animals, and birds are born, establishing the Three Talents: heaven, earth, and man. Thus, it is said that human beings were born during the Yin 'hui.'

　　Inspired by Pangu's creation, the Three Sovereigns governed the world, and the Five Emperors established order. The world was divided into four major continents:

　　- Eastern Purvavideha,

　　- Western Aparagodaniya,

　　- Southern Jambudvipa,

　　- Northern Uttarakuru.

　　This book focuses on the Eastern Purvavideha. Beyond the seas lies a land called Aolai, near the great ocean. In this ocean is a mountain known as Flower-Fruit Mountain. This mountain is the ancestral root of the ten continents and the source of the three islands, formed after the division of clarity and murkiness and the establishment of the cosmos. It is indeed a magnificent mountain, as described in the following verses:

　　---

　　Majestic, it commands the vast ocean; mighty, it pacifies the jade sea. The mountain's presence subdues the rolling waves as fish dart into hidden caverns; its power calms the jade sea, where billowing waves toss foam and great clams rise from the depths. To the east, in the region of wood and fire, it stands tall, towering over the Eastern Sea with its lofty peak. Crimson cliffs and peculiar rocks, sheer walls, and extraordinary summits. Atop the crimson cliffs, a pair of phoenixes sing in harmony; before the sheer wall, a solitary qilin rests in peace. From the peaks, one can occasionally hear the crowing of brocade-colored pheasants; within the stone caves, one often witnesses dragons coming and going. In the forest, there are long-lived deer and immortal foxes; in the trees, there are mystical birds and black cranes. The marvelous grasses and strange flowers never wither; the green pines and verdant cypresses remain ever fresh. Immortal peaches perpetually bear fruit, and tall bamboo always touches the clouds. A dense vine-covered ravine runs through, and the grasslands surrounding it are ever lush. Truly, it is the pillar of heaven where all rivers converge, the unshakable root of the earth through countless eons.

　　At the very top of this mountain lies a magical stone. This stone measures thirty-six feet and five inches in height and twenty-four feet in circumference. Its height corresponds to the 365 degrees of the celestial circle, and its circumference aligns with the 24 divisions of the solar terms. It possesses nine apertures and eight holes, mirroring the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams. No trees provide shade on its four sides, yet rare orchids and fragrant herbs flourish nearby. Since the dawn of time, this stone has absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, the quintessence of the sun and moon, and over time, it developed spiritual awareness. Nurturing the essence of immortality within, one day, the stone suddenly split open, giving birth to a stone egg, round like a ball. As it encountered the wind, it transformed into a stone monkey, complete with all its limbs and features. It immediately began to crawl and walk, paying respects in all directions. Its eyes emitted two beams of golden light that shot up towards the heavens, startling the Supreme Deity, the Jade Emperor, in his palace in the Celestial Hall of Divine Mists. Alarmed by the golden rays, he summoned his divine generals Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Accompanying Ear to open the South Heaven Gate and investigate. The two generals followed orders and, after observing carefully, reported back, "In the Eastern Purvavideha, within the borders of the small country of Aolai, there is a mountain called Flower-Fruit Mountain. Atop this mountain lies a magical stone, which has produced an egg that transformed into a stone monkey. This monkey, after being born, paid respects in all directions, and its eyes emitted golden rays that pierced the heavens. Now it is eating and drinking, and the golden light is gradually subsiding." The Jade Emperor, in his boundless mercy, remarked, "This creature of the lower world, born from the essence of heaven and earth, is nothing to be concerned about."

　　The monkey roamed the mountain, adept at walking and leaping, eating the plants and drinking the spring water. It gathered mountain flowers and sought out tree fruits, befriending wolves and insects, mingling with tigers and leopards, making companions of deer and boars, and kin with baboons and apes. At night, it slept beneath the cliffs; by day, it wandered through the peaks and caves. Truly, "In the mountains, time is meaningless; one does not realize the passing of years as winters come and go."

　　One day, as the weather grew hot, the monkeys sought refuge in the shade of the pine trees, playing together. Each one engaged in different activities:

　　Some jumped from tree to tree, plucking flowers and searching for fruits; others played games, such as throwing stones, skipping small pebbles across the water, and building sandcastles. They chased dragonflies, caught bees, offered their respects to the heavens, and paid homage to the Buddha. They braided vines into ropes, crafted mats from grass, and picked at lice while biting and scratching at them. Some groomed their fur, picked at their nails, pushed and pulled, tugged and shoved, each one finding their way to play beneath the green pines and beside the clear mountain streams.

　　After a while, the group of monkeys decided to take a bath in the mountain stream. The water rushed by like a cascade of rolling fruits, splashing with great force. As the ancient saying goes, “Birds have their own language, and beasts have their own speech.” The monkeys began to wonder aloud, “Where does this water come from? Today, with nothing else to do, why don't we follow the stream upstream and find its source? Let’s make a game of it!” With a shout, they all grabbed their companions, calling brothers and sisters, and set off together, clambering up the mountainside along the stream. They continued until they reached the source—a waterfall cascading down from a great height. The scene was truly magnificent:

　　A broad arc of white light, a thousand fathoms of snow-like waves;

　　The sea wind could not break it, the river moon still embraced it.

　　Cold air split the green peaks, the remaining flow nourished the emerald cliffs;

　　The stream, named the Waterfall, hung like a curtain across the sky.

　　The monkeys clapped their hands in admiration, exclaiming, “What magnificent water! This stream must flow from the base of the mountain, directly into the great sea.” They continued, “Who among us is brave enough to dive in, find the source of the water, and come back unharmed? Whoever succeeds, we will all bow to as our king.” They called out three times when suddenly, from the group, a stone monkey leaped forward, shouting, “I'll go in! I’ll go in!” What a monkey! Indeed:

　　Fame begins to spread, fortune starts to rise;

　　Blessed to dwell here, destined for the immortal’s palace.

　　Watch as he closes his eyes, crouches down, and with a single bound, dives into the waterfall. Inside, he opens his eyes and looks around—there is no water, no waves, only a bright and clear bridge. The monkey stands still and focuses, observing the surroundings. It turns out to be an iron bridge. The water beneath rushes through stone channels, cascading down and obscuring the entrance to the bridge. The monkey bows slightly, steps onto the bridge, and walks further, discovering a place that resembles a dwelling. Truly, it was a remarkable sight:

　　Moss covered the blue stones, white clouds floated among the jade;

　　Light flickered amidst the mist and smoke.

　　A quiet chamber with smooth benches,

　　A grotto adorned with dragon pearls;

　　Fragrant blossoms adorned the ground.

　　A stove by the cliff still bore traces of fire,

　　Near the table were cups and dishes.

　　Stone seats, stone beds—what a delight!

　　Stone basins, stone bowls—worthy of praise!

　　Here stood tall bamboo and blossoming plum trees;

　　Rain-kissed pines in the background,

　　The whole scene resembled a tranquil home.

　　The stone monkey marveled at the sight for a long while. Then, with a leap, he crossed the bridge and continued exploring until he found a stone tablet in the middle of the area. On it was carved in large characters: “Blessed Land of Flower-Fruit Mountain, Cave-Heaven of the Water Curtain.” Overjoyed, the stone monkey hurriedly rushed outside, closed his eyes, crouched, and leaped out of the waterfall. He shouted excitedly, “What great fortune! What great fortune!” The other monkeys surrounded him, asking, “How is it inside? How deep is the water?” The stone monkey replied, “There is no water! No water! It's actually an iron bridge. Beyond it lies a naturally formed home.” The other monkeys asked, “How do you know it’s a home?” The stone monkey laughed, “The water flows down from under the bridge, concealing the entrance. Beside the bridge, there are flowers and trees, and a stone house. Inside, there are stone nests, stone stoves, stone bowls, stone basins, stone beds, and stone benches. In the center, there’s a stone tablet with the inscription ‘Blessed Land of Flower-Fruit Mountain, Cave-Heaven of the Water Curtain.’ It’s truly a perfect place for us to settle. There’s enough space inside for hundreds or even thousands of us. Let’s all move in and avoid the hardships of the outside world. Inside, there is…”

　　“The wind finds no entrance, the rain no place to fall. Frost and snow hold no fear, and thunder is never heard. Mist and clouds always shine, and auspicious signs constantly fill the air. Year after year, the pines and bamboo thrive, and every day, new flowers bloom.”

　　Hearing this, all the monkeys rejoiced. They said, “Lead the way, let’s go inside!” The Stone Monkey closed his eyes, crouched, and leapt back into the waterfall, calling out, “Follow me! Follow me inside!” The braver monkeys jumped in after him, while the more timid ones hesitated, craning their necks and scratching their heads, calling out in fear. But after some coaxing, they too followed suit. Once across the bridge, they scrambled for the stone basins and bowls, fought over the stoves and beds, pushing and shoving as they moved things around. True to their mischievous nature, they couldn’t settle down until they were completely exhausted.

　　The Stone Monkey then sat down and said, “Everyone, remember the saying, ‘A man without trust is not fit to stand.’ You all said that whoever had the skill to enter and exit this place unharmed would be made king. I have gone in and out, and found this sanctuary where we can sleep in peace and enjoy the blessings of home. Why not make me your king?” The monkeys agreed without hesitation, lining up according to age, bowing before him, and hailing him as the “Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.” From then on, the Stone Monkey ascended to kingship, dropping the “Stone” from his name, and was known as the Handsome Monkey King. A poem testifies to this:

　　When the three yangs meet, all living beings are born,

　　The immortal stone, imbued with the essence of sun and moon.

　　Borrowing the seed to form a monkey, completing the Dao,

　　He took a name and title, merging with the elixir.

　　Looking within, he sees no form,

　　Looking outside, he knows there is shape.

　　All beings throughout history are of this nature,

　　Kings and sages alike, boundless in their deeds.

　　The Handsome Monkey King led his troop of apes, macaques, and baboons, assigning roles as ministers and officials. By day, they roamed the Flower-Fruit Mountain; by night, they slept in the Water Curtain Cave. They lived in harmony, avoiding both birds and beasts, ruling themselves, full of joy:

　　In spring, they gathered flowers to eat;

　　In summer, they searched for fruits to sustain them.

　　In autumn, they harvested taro and chestnuts for the season;

　　In winter, they sought yellow essence to survive the year.

　　The Handsome Monkey King enjoyed this carefree life for three to five hundred years. Then one day, as he feasted with the other monkeys, he suddenly grew sorrowful and began to weep. The other monkeys hurriedly knelt and asked, “Great King, why are you troubled?” The Monkey King replied, “Although I am happy now, I have a distant worry that troubles me.” The monkeys laughed and said, “Great King, you don’t know how fortunate you are! We gather here every day, living in this blessed land, this divine cave, free from the rule of the Qilin, the Phoenix, or any human king. We enjoy boundless freedom and limitless blessings—why do you worry about the future?” The Monkey King said, “Although we are not bound by the laws of kings, nor do we fear the threats of birds and beasts, one day, we will grow old and weak, and the Lord of Death will come for us. When that day comes, we will die and lose our place in this world, unable to remain in the heavens.” Hearing this, the monkeys all covered their faces and wept, overcome by the fear of mortality.

　　Just then, a long-armed ape jumped out from among them and cried out, “Great King, if you are so concerned about the future, it shows that you have begun to develop a heart for the Dao! Among the five types of creatures, there are only three that are not subject to the rule of the Lord of Death.” The Monkey King asked, “Which three are those?” The ape replied, “They are the Buddha, the Immortals, and the Sages, who escape the cycle of rebirth, never dying, and living as long as heaven and earth.” The Monkey King asked, “Where do these three reside?” The ape answered, “They dwell within the world of mortals, in ancient caves and immortal mountains.” Upon hearing this, the Monkey King was filled with joy and said, “Tomorrow, I will bid you all farewell and descend the mountain. I will travel to the ends of the earth, seeking out these three beings, determined to learn the way of immortality and escape the grasp of the Lord of Death.” Ah! With these words, he took the first step out of the cycle of rebirth, setting him on the path to becoming the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven. The monkeys all applauded and cheered, saying, “Wonderful! Wonderful! Tomorrow, we will climb the mountains and gather fruits to hold a grand feast to send off our Great King.”

　　The next day, the monkeys went out to gather celestial peaches, exotic fruits, yam, and ginseng, along with fragrant orchids, magical herbs, and rare flowers. They carefully arranged everything on stone benches and tables, setting out celestial wines and divine delicacies. The scene was splendid:

　　Golden pearls and ruby gems adorned ripe fruits. The crimson-yellow plums were plump and succulent. The preserved cherries gleamed with sweetness, and the ripe plums exuded a fragrant, tangy aroma. Fresh longans, sweet and thin-skinned; fiery lychees, with small seeds encased in red flesh. Emerald green apples hung in clusters, and golden loquats, nestled in their leaves, were carried with pride. Rabbit-head pears and chicken-heart dates quenched thirst and soothed the mind, dispelling fatigue and clearing the head. The fragrant peaches and luscious apricots, sweet as nectar and ambrosia, contrasted with the crispy plums and tart yangmei, as refreshing as cream or butter. The watermelon, with its red flesh and black seeds, was perfectly ripe, and the large persimmons, encased in golden skins, were quartered. Pomegranates burst open, revealing fire-red crystal seeds, while chestnuts and yams, roasted to perfection, were as solid as gold and agate. Walnuts and ginkgo nuts, perfect companions for tea, and coconuts and grapes, ideal for making wine. Hazelnuts, pine nuts, and figs filled the plates, while oranges, sugar cane, tangerines, and mandarins adorned the table. Roasted yams and simmered ginseng were served, along with a fine soup made from ground tuckahoe and coix seeds, cooked slowly in a stone pot over a gentle fire. Compared to such mountain delights, how could the finest human cuisine possibly compete with the joy and tranquility of these monkeys?

　　The monkey tribe honored the Monkey King, seating him at the head of the table. They lined up according to age, each taking turns to offer wine, flowers, and fruit, and they all feasted together for an entire day.

　　The following morning, the Monkey King rose early and commanded, “My little ones, fetch me some dry pine branches and weave a raft. Take a bamboo pole for a paddle, and prepare some fruits and provisions—I’m setting out on a journey.” He then embarked alone, pushing off the raft with all his might. The raft floated and drifted across the vast ocean, carried by the heavenly wind until it reached the shores of the Southern Jambu Continent. As the journey progressed, he was buoyed by his resolve:

　　Born of a celestial stone, he pursued the Way,

　　Leaving the mountain, he sailed with the wind.

　　Crossing the ocean, he sought the path of the immortals,

　　Determined to attain great deeds.

　　Fate and destiny led him to abandon worldly desires,

　　Without worries or fears, he would meet the Dragon King.

　　Surely, he would find a wise teacher,

　　To reveal the mysteries of all existence.

　　As luck would have it, a strong southeast wind blew continuously for several days after he set out on the raft, carrying him to the northwestern coast, which marked the boundary of the Southern Jambu Continent. Testing the water with his pole, he found it shallow, abandoned the raft, and leapt ashore. There, by the sea, he saw people fishing, hunting geese, digging for clams, and extracting salt. Approaching them, he put on a mischievous show, making himself look like a strange and frightening beast, which sent the people fleeing in terror, dropping their baskets and nets as they scattered. The Monkey King captured one straggler, stripped him of his clothes, and donned the garments himself. He then imitated human behavior, learning to bow, speak, and act like a person. He roamed through towns and villages, ate breakfast and supper like everyone else, all the while seeking the Way of the Buddha, the immortals, and the sages, hoping to discover the secret to eternal life. But everywhere he went, he found people solely concerned with fame and fortune, with no thought for their own lives or well-being:

　　When will the pursuit of fame and fortune ever end?

　　Rising early, sleeping late, they know no rest.

　　Riding mules and donkeys, they dream of fine horses,

　　Hoping to rise in rank, aspiring to be lords.

　　Worrying over food and clothing, they toil endlessly,

　　But dread the day when Yama comes to claim their souls.

　　They pass on wealth to children and grandchildren,

　　Yet none among them ever thinks to turn back.

　　The Monkey King searched long and hard for the Way of the immortals, but to no avail. He wandered across the Southern Jambu Continent, through the Great Wall and small counties, for more than eight or nine years. One day, as he traveled near the Western Ocean, he thought that there might be immortals living overseas. Once again, he fashioned a raft and drifted across the Western Sea until he reached the land of the Western Niuhezhou. He disembarked and wandered the land for a time, until he came across a magnificent mountain, its peaks soaring into the sky, its forests dense and mysterious. He feared neither wolves nor tigers, but climbed to the summit to get a better view. And indeed, it was a fine mountain:

　　Thousands of peaks stood like halberds, towering like a screen,

　　The sunlight cast a light mist over the lush greenery,

　　As the rain passed, the dark ridges turned a cool blue.

　　Withered vines clung to ancient trees, marking the path of the past.

　　Exotic flowers and auspicious herbs, towering bamboo and towering pines.

　　The bamboo and pines remained evergreen for millennia, rivaling the blessed land;

　　The exotic flowers and auspicious herbs bloomed year-round, challenging the paradise of the immortals.

　　The cries of hidden birds were heard, and the clear spring water gurgled.

　　Every ravine was wrapped in fragrant orchids, and every crag was covered in moss.

　　The undulating ridges of the dragon veins hinted at the presence of a sage who had hidden his name.


   　　The Monkey King, having heard the directions, bid farewell to the woodcutter and left the deep forest, following the path until he reached a mountain slope. After traveling about seven or eight miles, he indeed spotted a cave dwelling in the distance. He straightened up and observed the place closely—it was truly a magnificent spot! This is what he saw:

　　Mists dispersed, casting vibrant hues, while the sun and moon shimmered in the sky. Ancient cypresses by the thousands, and countless tall bamboo stalks flourished. The ancient cypresses, touched by rain, appeared a deep, soft green; the countless tall bamboo stalks, veiled in mist, painted the gorge with a rich, verdant hue. Outside the gate, exotic flowers spread like brocade, while at the bridge’s edge, rare grasses exuded fragrance. Moss-covered cliffs rose sharply, glistening with moisture, while emerald moss thrived on the hanging walls. Occasionally, the cry of a celestial crane could be heard, and phoenixes were seen soaring. The cry of the celestial crane, when heard, echoed far into the heavens; the phoenix, when it soared, glimmered with feathers of five colors, shining like a rainbow against the clouds. Mysterious apes and white deer were glimpsed, sometimes hidden, sometimes in plain sight; golden lions and jade elephants roamed freely. A careful examination revealed this to be a truly blessed and heavenly place!

　　He then noticed that the cave door was tightly shut, and everything was silent with no sign of anyone around. Turning his head, he saw a stone tablet standing on the cliff, about thirty feet high and eight feet wide, bearing an inscription of ten large characters: “The Mountain of the Heart’s Platform, the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars.” The Monkey King was overjoyed and exclaimed, “The people here are indeed genuine. There truly is such a mountain and such a cave.” He observed it for a long time, but dared not knock on the door. Instead, he climbed up to a pine branch, where he picked pine nuts and played around.

　　After a short while, he heard a creaking sound as the cave door opened, and out came a young immortal. His appearance was truly extraordinary, his features clear and distinct, unlike ordinary mortals. He looked like this:

　　His hair was tied up in a double topknot, his wide sleeves billowed in the wind. His appearance was serene, his body at peace, his heart and form both empty. A visitor from beyond the mundane, a youth destined for eternal life. Untouched by dust, he remained, unbothered by the passing of years.

　　The young immortal called out loudly, “Who is causing a disturbance here?” The Monkey King leaped down from the tree and hurried forward, bowing deeply as he said, “Immortal youth, I am a disciple seeking the Way and learning the path to immortality. I did not mean to cause any disturbance.” The immortal youth smiled and said, “So, you’re here to seek the Way?” The Monkey King replied, “Yes, I am.” The youth continued, “My master has just risen from his bed and ascended the platform to teach. He hadn’t even begun his lecture when he instructed me to open the door, saying, ‘There’s a cultivator outside; go and welcome him.’ That must be you, right?” The Monkey King grinned and said, “Yes, that’s me.” The youth then said, “Come with me.”

　　The Monkey King straightened his clothes and composed himself, then followed the youth into the depths of the cave, where he saw layer upon layer of jade pavilions and bejeweled palaces—so many that it was impossible to describe the tranquil chambers and secluded dwellings. Finally, they reached the Jade Terrace, where he saw the Patriarch Bodhi seated in a dignified manner. On either side stood thirty young immortals, attending upon him. Indeed, the Patriarch was:

　　A great enlightened immortal, without blemish in appearance, The wondrous figure of the Western World, the Patriarch Bodhi; Beyond birth and death, embodying the Way of the Three Realms, Whole in spirit and energy, infinitely compassionate. Empty and serene, adapting naturally to change, True to his original nature, effortlessly manifesting the Way; With a body as enduring as the heavens, A great Dharma master, illuminating the mind through countless ages.

　　Upon seeing the Patriarch, the Monkey King prostrated himself, kowtowing countless times, and repeatedly said, “Master! Master! I am your humble disciple, offering my sincere respect! Sincere respect!”

　　The Patriarch said, “From which place do you come? Please state your origin and name clearly before you prostrate again.”

　　The Monkey King replied, “I am from the Flower-Fruit Mountain in the country of Aolai, in the Eastern Continent of the Blessed Region.”

　　The Patriarch scolded, “Go away! He is a fraudulent and deceitful person; how can he cultivate any Dao fruits here?”

　　The Monkey King hurriedly kowtowed and said, “I speak the truth, with no deceit.”

　　The Patriarch asked, “If you are truthful, how can you claim to come from the Eastern Continent? That place is separated from here by two great seas and a southern continent; how could you have reached this place?”

　　The Monkey King answered, “I have traveled across the seas and roamed the boundaries for over a decade before arriving here.”

　　The Patriarch said, “Since you have come gradually, that will do. What is your surname?”

　　The Monkey King replied, “I have no surname. If people insult me, I am not angered; if they strike me, I am not resentful, just accepting the insult. I have no surname throughout my life.”

　　The Patriarch said, “Not that kind of surname. What was the surname of your parents originally?”

　　The Monkey King said, “I have no parents.”

　　The Patriarch asked, “Since you have no parents, were you born from a tree?”

　　The Monkey King replied, “Although I was not born from a tree, I did grow from a stone. I remember there was a celestial stone on Flower-Fruit Mountain. When that stone cracked, I was born.”

　　The Patriarch, hearing this, was pleased and said, “This indicates you are a creation of heaven and earth. Get up and move about so I can see.”

　　The Monkey King leaped up and trotted around a couple of times. The Patriarch laughed and said, “Although your body may seem crude, you resemble a monkey that feeds on pine nuts. I will give you a surname based on your appearance. Your surname will be ‘Hu.’ The character ‘Hu’ (猢) has a beast radical, and ‘古’ (Gu) means old; ‘月’ (Yue) means moon, which cannot nourish or transform. Therefore, I will change it to ‘Sun’ (孙). The character ‘Sun’ (孙) has a beast radical, and ‘子’ (Zi) means child, which fits the essence of a child. I will name you ‘Sun.’”

　　The Monkey King was overjoyed upon hearing this and kowtowed again, saying, “Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Now I know my surname. Please, Master, be kind and bestow a given name so I may be called by it.”

　　The Patriarch said, “In our order, there are twelve characters assigned for names, and you are the tenth disciple. The twelve characters are: Guang, Da, Zhi, Hui, Zhen, Ru, Xing, Hai, Ying, Wu, Yuan, and Jue. You are assigned the character ‘Wu.’ Henceforth, your name will be ‘Sun Wukong.’”

　　The Monkey King laughed and said, “Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! From now on, I shall be called Sun Wukong!”

　　It is precisely said:

　　When chaos first began, there were no surnames. Breaking through the void requires one to attain enlightenment.