(The Divine Root Conceives, the Source Reveals Itself; The Mind Cultivates, and the Great Way Is Born)
Before Heaven and Earth took form, there was only chaos — shapeless, boundless, and endless. From this formless void, pure energy rose to become the sky, while the turbid sank to form the earth. Over countless ages, the world gradually settled into balance.
In the Eastern Continent of Divine Victory, across the seas in the lands of Aolai, stood a mountain called Flower Fruit Mountain. On that mountain's highest peak rested a great stone, unlike any other. It absorbed the essence of the sun and moon, drank the dew of heaven and earth, and gathered spiritual energy for countless millennia.
One day, the stone suddenly split open. From within came a stone egg, round and shining like jade. When the wind touched it, the egg transformed into a stone monkey. The monkey opened its eyes, and twin beams of golden light shot forth, piercing through the heavens and startling the Supreme Heavenly Palace.
The Jade Emperor himself was alarmed. "What is this aura that dares to shake Heaven?" he asked.
A celestial officer bowed and said, "Your Majesty, in the Eastern Continent, on Flower Fruit Mountain, a spirit stone has given birth to a monkey. The light you see must come from him."
The Jade Emperor nodded lightly. "Ah, so the essence of Heaven and Earth gives rise to strange beings. Let it be."
***
After his birth, the stone monkey roamed freely across Flower Fruit Mountain. He ate the fruits of the forest, drank from mountain springs, and played with the other monkeys that lived there. Agile, fearless, and clever, he quickly became their leader in play and mischief alike.
One day, as the monkeys were bathing in a cool mountain stream, one of them laughed and shouted,
"Brothers! Look at that waterfall! The water crashes down like a silver screen. Where does it come from, and where does it go? Whoever dares to pass through that waterfall and return safely shall be our king!"
The monkeys all cheered, but none dared to go first.
The stone monkey laughed loudly. "I'll go! What's there to fear?"
He took a deep breath, leapt onto a rock, and, with a single bound, plunged straight through the curtain of water.
On the other side, he found a hidden world — a wide, shining cavern lit by a gentle glow. There were stone tables, stone chairs, stone bowls, and stone cups — everything a home would need. Water streamed around the cave, flowers and trees grew nearby, and the air was filled with the sound of singing birds.
Overjoyed, the monkey ran back through the waterfall and shouted,
"There's a fine place behind the falls — dry, safe, and bright! Come, everyone, follow me!"
The monkeys cheered, and one after another, they leapt through the waterfall. When they saw the cave, they danced and shouted with joy.
"This shall be our home!" they said.
"And since our brother found it for us, he shall be our king!"
They all bowed to the stone monkey, declaring in unison,
"We greet our Great King!"
From that day on, the stone monkey sat upon a throne of stone and was known as the Handsome Monkey King (Mei Hou Wang).
He gathered his followers, trained them to hunt and defend themselves, and they lived together in peace and happiness, free from danger, under the shade of the great mountain.
But though he lived in joy, deep in his heart, the Monkey King often sighed.
"Even in this paradise," he murmured, "we cannot escape death. When our time comes, we will vanish like mist. Is there no way to live forever?"
Thus began his yearning for immortality — the first step on his long and perilous journey toward the Dao.
***
The Handsome Monkey King ruled over the monkeys of Flower Fruit Mountain for centuries. They lived in joy, without want or sorrow. Yet time passed unceasingly, and one by one, the monkeys aged and died.
Each time he saw one of his subjects fall, the Monkey King's heart trembled.
"Life is short and fragile," he thought. "Even the strongest cannot escape death. I will not be content to fade away like the rest. I must find the secret to immortality!"
One night, unable to sleep, he rose from his stone bed, looked up at the moon, and swore an oath.
"Even if I must travel beyond the seas, even if I must face demons and spirits, I shall find a way to escape the wheel of life and death!"
At dawn, he gathered his followers.
"My children," he said, "I wish to seek the Way of Immortality. I do not know where to find it, but I must go. Stay here, care for our home, and wait for my return."
The monkeys wept, but they understood. They prepared fruit and flowers as offerings and saw their king off with tearful eyes.
The Monkey King set out to sea on a raft made of logs and bamboo. The waves rose high, the winds howled, yet he laughed as he sailed, fearless and free. After many months, he reached another continent — the Western Continent of Ox-Cart Country.
There, among humans, he disguised himself as a traveler. He learned their language, manners, and trades. Years passed, but he never forgot his vow.
One day, an old man saw him meditating beneath a tree and said kindly,
"You seem unlike others. What are you seeking?"
The Monkey King bowed. "I seek the Way that frees one from death."
The old man smiled. "That Way lies deep within the mountains, far beyond mortal lands. There are sages there who know the secrets of Heaven and Earth. If your heart is sincere, you may find them."
Hearing this, the Monkey King thanked him and set out at once. He crossed mountains and rivers, braved beasts and storms, until finally, after many years, he reached a hidden valley where clouds curled like mist and cranes flew among ancient pines.
At the valley's heart stood a simple stone gate. On it were written the words:
"Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars — Home of the Patriarch Subhuti."
The Monkey King fell to his knees, knocked his head upon the ground, and called out,
"Disciple Sun Wukong (I who seek the truth) humbly begs entry to learn the Way!"
A young disciple opened the gate and said with a smile,
"So, you know how to bow and call yourself a disciple? Come in — perhaps the Patriarch will see you."
***
The young disciple led the stone monkey through winding paths deep into the mountain. Mist hung in the air, fragrant with pine and flowers. They passed flowing streams and mossy stones until, at last, they reached a great hall where Patriarch Subhuti sat upon a dais, surrounded by disciples.
The old patriarch's hair was white as snow, yet his face shone with the luster of youth. His eyes gleamed like stars, and his voice was calm as the flow of time.
The Monkey King bowed three times and knelt.
"Disciple from the Eastern Continent of Aolai bows before the Master," he said. "I have come seeking the Way of Immortality."
Subhuti smiled faintly. "From Aolai, you say? That is a long journey. Tell me your name."
The monkey scratched his head. "I have no name," he said honestly. "I was born from stone and have lived among beasts on Flower Fruit Mountain. The others call me 'Monkey.'"
The Patriarch laughed. "Then I shall give you a name." He thought for a moment, then said,
"Since you are born from stone, I shall call you Sun, written with the character for 'monkey' changed slightly to 'Sun'. And as you seek enlightenment through the heart, you shall be called Wukong— 'Awakened to Emptiness.'"
The hall filled with murmurs of approval.
"Sun Wukong," said Subhuti. "That shall be your name."
The Monkey King kowtowed gratefully. "Thank you, Master, for granting me a name and a new life."
From that day forth, Sun Wukong stayed in the cave as a disciple. He swept the courtyard, gathered firewood, and listened to the Patriarch's teachings.
Years passed quietly. Though Wukong was mischievous by nature, he was sharp of mind and quick to learn. He absorbed every lesson, every principle of Heaven and Earth.
One night, the Patriarch gathered his disciples beneath the stars and spoke of the Three Doctrines — the Way of the Buddha, the Way of the Immortals, and the Way of the Sages.
Wukong's heart burned with desire. He bowed and asked,
"Master, which of these paths grants freedom from birth and death?"
The Patriarch smiled. "All three lead to the same truth. But since you have the heart of an immortal, I shall teach you the Way of the Dao."
He motioned for Wukong to come closer, then whispered in his ear the secret formulas of eternal life — methods to strengthen the spirit, refine the body, and merge with the Dao.
Wukong practiced with fierce devotion. He meditated for years, stilling his thoughts until his mind became clear as the empty sky. Eventually, he achieved the state of enlightened awareness, free from decay and death.
One day, as he trained, Subhuti tested him.
"Show me your skill in transformation."
Wukong clasped his hands and chanted the formula. In a flash, he changed into a pine tree, then a bird, then a fish, then back into himself.
The Patriarch nodded. "You have learned well. These are the Seventy-Two Transformations, the art of changing form as freely as thought."
Later, Wukong asked,
"Master, I wish to travel the heavens and the earth at will. How may I do so?"
Subhuti smiled faintly. "That is the Cloud Somersault (Jīndǒu Yún). Once mastered, a single leap can carry you one hundred and eight thousand li."
Wukong trained for seven days and nights. When he next leapt into the air, clouds gathered beneath his feet, carrying him across mountains and rivers in the blink of an eye.
He laughed in delight, the sound echoing through the valley.
"I, Sun Wukong, can now ride the clouds and command the wind! Truly, the world holds no bounds for me!"
Subhuti looked upon him and sighed softly. "You are clever, but too proud. One day, your arrogance will bring you trouble. Go now — your fate lies beyond these mountains."
Bowing deeply, Wukong took his leave. Though he did not yet understand his master's warning, he would soon learn the meaning of those words.