Journey to the West Poem＋Translation

POEM of Journey to theWest

Monkey King

Who is he
What does he want
Where did he appear from
From the egg
The immortal egg
It rolled out from the rock
The immortal rock
On the mountain
What does he want
What does he want

I am Monkey 
I am King
King
Your King

We must prepare a feast
!

Why do you despair your majesty?

Of future times 
Of future times
I must learn  search the Way
The True Way
Must find an Immortal to teach me
Prepare a raft of bamboo and  the longest pole
It must be strong to serve me for a journey across the treacherous sea

Journey 10year 

Singing:
I am a poor woodcutter living in this forest eeking out a living to feed my ill mother
Cutting firewood to trade for rice
I carry it on a pole across my shoulder 
Take it to the market
Take it to the market

Monkey King:
Oh woodcutter do you know of an Immortal in this forest

Yes there is one

Please tell me where
Please tell me where

He lives deep in the woods
Follow this trail

Monkey King:
Oh leprechaun sorry to trouble you so
Please take me to your master
I wish to learn The Way

Follow me
He is teaching
He has many disciples

Immortal Sage:
What is your name eccentric monkey who jumps so wildly

I have no name so I call myself Monkey because I am a monkey

What of your parents?

I have no mother
I have no father
I was born from an egg
A immortal egg
On a mountain

So you are born of Heaven and Earth
I shall name you Sun

Old Venerable Woman:
Come sit beside me
I have no children
I shall name you Wu

I am so happy 
I have a name
You have given me a name
Master thank you for such a lovely name

Rejoice! rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!

Let us feast
Let us feast

My name is Sun WuKong
Great Sage
Equal of Heaven!

Journey to the West    by WuChengen.       Chapter one

Translation by 曾達 Zengda
       (Pearcemelville)
 

The Beginning  Master of Mind and Nature

The poem says:  In the primal chaos, before Heaven and Earth was split, there existed a boundless expanse void of man. Since Pangu killed the Eastern Bean Goose, clarity and impurity separated. All living beings looked upward; they were sent forth to succeed. Fortune is attained through merit. The answer lies in the journey west.

The age of Heaven and Earth was 129600. In the first year there existed 12 groups: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, Xi, Qu and Hai. Each had existed for 10800 years. There was a theory that said: The egg is male. Though an ox, it had the voice of a chicken. Tigers could not pass. The rabbit emerged in the morning sun. He ate in the third month in the west. In the seventh month the sun set in the west between the hours of three and five. Dusk arrived between seven and nine and midnight between nine and eleven. People retired between seven and nine. The earth was dark and nothing existed. 

After 5400 years, When all was dark, primal chaos meant that the earth was void of man. Another 5400 years later, chaste prevailed. The earth gradually brightened. Shao Kangjie said, “Midway through the winter solstice, Heaven was unchanged and nothing had yet been born.” This was the birth of Heaven.

Another 5400 years later, during the time of primal chaos, there was water, fire, mountains, earth and rocks. Water, Fire, Mountains, Earth, Rocks, these five forms. After another 5400 years, between 3 and 5 in the morning, living things came into existence. History says: Weather fell. Earth and gases rose. Heaven and Earth joined. Everything was born. At this time the sky was clear and the earth bright. Yin and Yang were united.

After another 5400 years, man, beasts and birds appeared, three kinds of being. Panguan created three legendary sovereigns to rule the earth and five emperors to govern man. The earth was divided into four vast continents: Dongsheng, Xiniujia, Nanshanbu and Beijulu. There was a nation across the sea called Aolai. A mountain rose from the sea called Huaguo Mountain. It had ten rivers. A dragon came to three islands and separated clarity from impurity. The Eastern Bean Goose gave judgement. It was a beautiful mountain! There is a poem:

The vast oceans were brought under control. Power amassed in the Yao Sea. When the vast oceans were calmed, the silver mountain fish entered a cave on the surging tide. When power amassed in the Yao Sea, white capped waves rolled over the sea and a giant clam rose from the depths. Water and fire came together in all corners of the land. Away from the Eastern Ocean rose a lofty peak. On the cliff was an unusual rock. It split the cliffs of this strange mountain. Two colourful pheonixes sang. Before the cliff split, crouched a solitary, mythical unicorn. The song of a golden pheasant sounded around the mountain. All saw a dragon emerge from a rocky grotto. In the forest was an old deer and an immortal fox. In the trees were alert birds and mysterious cranes, not to mention jade grasses. There were many green pines and jade cedars. Peach trees bore immortal fruit, embellishing the bamboo. There was a rich green ravine. One hundred rivers supported the sky. Ten thousand calamities could not shift the earth.

An immortal stone stood atop this mountain peak. It was three feet and six inches tall and a girth that measured two feet and four inches. Standing three feet and six inches, it was perfectly round with a circumference of two feet and four inches. History records twenty four gases. Humans had nine orifices and eight cavities. There were nine palaces and eight triagrams. There were no trees to conceal the moon. All around were irises and orchids that complemented each other. Since creation, all were blessed with the fineness of Heaven. The moon glowed richly. Within the mountain was an immortal womb. One day it split and an egg rolled out. A magnificent globe. The breeze turned it into a stone monkey with five senses and four limbs. It learned to crawl and paid respect to everything around it. He saw two rays of golden light that struck his forehead. This alarmed the heavenly, compassionate Jade Emperor, emperor of the mysterious dark vault in the sky. He rode the palace cloud around the Palace of Heaven. The immortals had gathered. They saw golden flames. They were clairvoyant and had exceptional hearing. They opened the south gate and looked. Two generals emerged with imperial orders. They eyes were keen and their hearing acute. 

They returned quickly to report, “On your imperial orders we witnessed this golden light. In the land of Ao, in Dongshen in Shenzhouhaidong, there is a mountain called Huaguo. On top of this mountain was an immortal stone. The stone gave birth to an egg. The breeze transformed it into a stone monkey. He paid respect to everything around him. He saw golden rays of light that struck his forehead. Until this day the golden rays have concealed from him clothing, water and food.”  The Emperor respectfully said, “He is none other than the essence of life.”     

In the mountains, the monkey was able to walk and leap. He ate vegetables and drank from mountain streams. He picked blossoms and plucked fruit. He was companion to wolves and insects. Tigers would flock to him and deer were his friends. He was related to macaque monkeys. He slept below a cliff at night. He entered a mountain cave. Without an egg in the mountain, the cold was such that none before had seen. He sought refuge from the searing heat one morning with a troupe of monkeys.     

Though he lived in the mountains, he could walk and jump. He ate vegetables and drank from mountain streams. He picked blossoms and plucked fruit. He mixed with wolves. Tigers flocked around him and deer were his companions. He was descended from macaque monkeys. At night he slept below a cliff and in the mornings would enter a cave. “Without an egg in the mountain there came a cold so severe such that none before had seen.” One morning he sought shelter from the searing heat with a troupe of monkeys and they frolicked among the pines. He looked at every one. 

The troupe of monkeys wished to hold a meeting and they bathed in the mountain stream. He watched it boil and bubble. The ancients said that birds sing and beasts roar. The monkey troupe said, “We know not from where this water has sprung. We wish to relax this day. We shall climb the banks of the stream in search of its source. Let us be off!” They gathered males and females, called brothers and sisters. They came running and together set off along the stream to seek its source.
 
A white snaked appeared from beneath the rolling white capped waves. The wind was ceaseless and the river moon shone. 

A cold wind blew over the green cliffs and moistened it in green as though it was a curtain. Numerous monkeys applauded and shouted praise, “Oh the magnificent water that falls to the base of this mountain. It resembles the waves of the ocean. We emerged without injury. We pay our respects to the King.” As they shouted three times, a stone monkey leapt out. He shouted a reply, “I will enter! I will enter!” This was the magnificent monkey! 

Today is fragrant. The mandate of Heaven. Destiny brought him here, sent by Heaven  to live in the immortal palace.    
    
Look at him, eyes closed, crouching, his body as one as he leaps into the fountain. He suddenly opened his eyes, lifted his head and saw there was no water. Nor were there any waves. A bridge was before him. He stopped, settled, and looked about carefully. There used to be an iron girder bridge. Water gushed between rocks and flowed over the bridge. He stood up on his toes then continued walking and looked about. Someone was living here. It was a pleasant setting. 

Green moss was piled high and a white cloud drifted over the jade moss. He saw wisps of smoke. The house had a window, a bench, and flowers were growing. There was a white dragon in the cave wearing a pearl necklace. A breezed circled around exotic blooms. A stove was burning by the cliff. A stove was burning and there were dishes of meat. The stone seat and bed were cute. There was also a stone basin and bowl. He saw one or two bamboo poles and three to five plum blossoms. The pine trees were wet with dripping water. It was a complete house. 

He looked at it for quite a while and leapt over the middle of the bridge. He saw a stone tablet in the middle. Large calligraphic characters were engraved on it. They read, ‘Huaguo Bridge is majestic, with a cave and a waterfall at its entrance.’ “Glorious nature! Glorious nature!” Many monkeys gathered around him and chorused, “What is it like inside? How deep is the water? ” The stone monkey said, “Very deep! Very deep! It used to be an iron girder bridge. Now there is a heavenly built house.” One monkey said, “How can you tell it is a house?” The stone monkey replied, “Water gushes from the stone opening below the bridge. It has flowed over and concealed the door of the house. There are flowers and trees by the bridge. It is made of stone. Inside is a stone pot and kitchen, basin and bowl, bed and bench. In the middle is a stone tablet that reads, ‘Huaguo mountain is majestic with a cave and waterfall below it.’ It is peaceful here. It is roomy inside and can hold many. We can live here and shelter from the weather.”

There is wind and rain. No need to fear the snow nor the frost. Thunder cannot be heard.
Auspicious smoke often shines. Pines and bamboo are prolific year after year.

The troupe of monkeys were pleased. They all said, “You go ahead and lead us inside!” They were courageous monkeys and they all leapt in. The timid among them stretched their necks and stepped back one by one. They tweaked their ears and scratched their cheeks. They called each other to gather together and went inside. After leaping over the bridge they one by one tried to snatch the basin and bowl and stood on the stove and bed. One monkey was mischievous. He very soon felt tired. The stone monkey sat down and said, “Humans are trusting. We should say that we have business here. Take care not to come to any harm when you venture out. Pay your respects to the King. I searched high and low to find this paradise where we can sleep peacefully and fitfully. All of us may enjoy this house. Why do you not respect me as your King?” The troupe of monkeys heard this and acted as though they had done no wrong. They had perfect rows of teeth and held religious service in the morning. They praised, “Long live the King.” On this day the stone monkey became King. He no longer used the name stone but called himself Handsome Monkey. In a poem it is expressed:   

Sanyang brought peace to the masses. The womb of the Immortal Stone held the bright sun and moon. It gave birth to the Way of the Monkey and he assumed the name of Cinnabar. Within, reason is unknown. Outside, it is possible to know. Future generations will gather here and recognize the King’s holy mandate.

The Monkey King lead the monkeys in a carefree existence. They numbered 350. They became flustered one day whilst feasting and started to cry. They rushed to pay homage to the Monkey King, “Oh Monkey King, why do you despair?” He replied, “Though I am happy now, long term considerations vex my mind. ” The monkeys laughed. “But your majesty does not know. We wait each day for happy occasions in this paradise of the Immortal Mountain. The ancient cave in Shenzhou does not need the mythical unicorn, not the pheonix, nor you. We are free and easy and possess immeasurable wealth. Why does the future trouble you so?” He said, “I have not returned to the land  and the laws that rule them. I do not fear the power of birds and animals. I will grow old and die. The old King ruled the Underworld. One morning death befell him. Not in vain, he was born into this world and was not allowed to remain in this realm between Heaven and Earth.” 

The monkeys all crowded around in surprise and began to wail in grief but were not in the least anxious.  One leapt out from among them jumping over their shoulders and said in a loud, stern voice, "Our King has future problems to deal with. How can you act so happy! Until now, only three of five disciples have been given a name. They need not rely on the old King of Hell.” The Monkey King said, “Do you know of these three?” The apes and monkeys replied, “The Buddha, The Immortal and The Divine Entity. They avoided reincarnation and did not live nor die. They remained for an eternity among the sky, the earth, the mountains and the rivers.” The Monkey King asked, “Where do they live now?” The monkeys replied, “They exist only in the realm of The Buddha inside the ancient grotto within the Immortal Mountain.” On hearing this the Monkey King said joyously, “Tomorrow I will depart and descend the mountain to wander by the ocean. I will trek to the distant horizon. I must meet with these three characters you speak of and learn how to live a long life. It is difficult to hide from the King of Hell.” Ai! his words make me want to leap and somersault and become The Great Sage Equal of Heaven. All the monkeys chorused when they heard these words, “Excellent! Excellent! We wait until tomorrow to scale the mountain peaks in search of fruit. We shall hold a banquet in gracious honour of you, our Monkey King.” 
 
The following day all of them went to pick fruit in the mountains. They picked fruit, dug for mountain medicine, extracted yellow seeds, plucked fragrant orchids, blooms of  jade grass, all kinds of things. They arranged them neatly on the stone bench and table, together with immortal wine and platters of meat.

Gold beads and pearls, red blossoms and yellow fat. Gold beads and pearls, dried meat and cherries. Their colours are amazing. Red blossoms, yellow fat, ripe plums. Their fragrance is sweet and sour. Fresh longans, their flesh is tender and their skin is thin, gall bladders with small stones. Crabapples and forest fruit still on their branches.  

We offer these to you. The yellow loquat flowers still have their leaves. Rabbit head pears and dates, chicken hearts and dates. The more they drank the less they worried. Fragrant peaches and soft apricots. Beautifully sweet jade beverages and exquisite broth. Fragile plums and bayberries. Sour silky fat and yoghurt. Red gallbladders, black seeds and ripe watermelon. Four petalled wampee and plump persimmons. Split pomegranates, cinnabar grains that resembled fiery crystal beads. Taro and split chestnuts. Firm meat, gold and agate. Walnuts and silver almonds were passed around with tea. Coconuts and grapes for making wine. Hazelnut trees, pines and kaya trees filled the platters. Bellflowers, sugar cane, tangerines and orange trees. Grilled mountain yams and soft boiled Solomon’s seal. Pounded hoelen and pearl barley simmered in the stone cauldron. Humans have their delicacies, but how could they be happier than these monkeys in the mountains?

The monkey troupe respected the handsome Monkey King seated on his throne. They relied on his teeth and shoulders. Each filed forward in turn to offer wine, flowers and fruit. He drank the whole day long. The following day, the handsome monkey rose early. He instructed them, “My little subjects, break for me some dried pine branches to build a raft and a long bamboo pole. Get together some fruits. I will be leaving.” He boarded and with great might, moved off. He made a bee line for the coast. He used the wind to reach the boundary of Nanshanbu. 

Heaven gave birth to the Way of the Monkey. Leaving the mountain, he steered his raft with the help of the wind. He floated towards the ocean, seeking the Immortal Path. He possessed great determination, devotion and merit. He stopped for a rest whenever he wanted, free of worry. His stores would help in asking for directions. 

As he travelled on the wooden raft, the sun and wind were fierce and caused him to stop at the northwestern cliff face. He had reached the boundary of Nanshanbu. He tested the depth with his pole and found it was shallow. He leapt off the raft and onto the cliff. He spied some people fishing hand cleansing wild geese and frogs with salt. He moved forward, performed a somersault and came across a quiet tiger. He so startled the people that they dropped their baskets and nets and fled in all directions. He caught one and stripped him of his clothes. He staggered, then crossed the river and headed for the city. He learnt manners in the marketplace and how to speak like a human. Whether he was eating breakfast or sleeping in lodgings, he devoted himself to the Way of the Immortal Buddha the quest for immortality. He saw that humans lived for fame and power. Not one lived for destiny.

How can there be rest in the quest for fame and power? Waking early and retiring late has no freedom. Riding a donkey and thinking it a horse. Ministers want to be King. Concern oneself for food and clothing and be diligent in your work. Why worry that the King of Hell may take you? People give their inheritance to future generations. They do not reflect.

Unable to find an Immortal, the Monkey King took a mountain path. He came across a long wall at Nanshanbu and travelled through small counties. It did not seem that he had been gone eight or nine years. He arrived at the vast Western Ocean. He thought that there must be an Immortal across the sea. He built a raft like the one before and drifted across the Western Ocean towards the land of Xiniujia. He strode ashore and spent a long time travelling to many places. Suddenly a majestic mountain rose before him in a secluded forest. He did not fear wolves nor insects. He was not afraid of tigers nor leopards. He climbed the mountain and looked about. It was a glorious mountain indeed.

Before him 1000 peaks stretched into the distance. The sun turned the mist to the colour of jade. The rain appeared umber and cold green. Withered vines wrapped around the tree. The ancient crossing was remote. He saw unique blooms and auspicious grasses, decorative bamboo and towering pines. It was an evergreen paradise with unique flowers and auspicious grasses. Growth flourished through all seasons.
 A secluded bird sang nearby and the waterfall echoed clearly. Irises and orchids filled the valley. All around was luxuriant growth and moss draped the cliff.
The mountain range resembled the veins of a dragon. There most certainly was someone special here with a secret name.

He saw someone and heard a voice deep in the forest. He entered the forest and cocked his ear. The words were:

Seeing supple branches; the chopping of the wood. I enter the entrance to the valley. Peddling firewood to buy wine. Laughing wildly at my own pleasure. The path is green at the height of autumn. I rest my head on a pine root and gaze at the moon. I sleep until dawn. I know these ancient pines and scale the cliff and traverse the range. I hack at the dried vines with my hatchet. Harvesting a load, I sing on the way to market. I have enough for 3kg of rice. Many haggle and the price is average. I get no more and contentedly I live on quietly and without honour. Unexpectedly, I meet mortals on my way and we sit peacefully and talk. 
[Huangting] 
 
These lyrics filled the Handsome Monkey King's heart with joy.The Daoist Immortal sought refuge here! He quickly leapt further into the forest and looked about him. He saw a woodcutter gathering firewood, but dressed in fine attire. 

He wore a hat made from fresh bamboo husk and his clothes although simple, were made from fine cotton yarn. A silk sash bound his waist. He was wearing sandals not made of straw, but dried sedge stalks. In his hand was a steel axe and a coil of hemp rope slung off his shoulder. He pulled on pine dry pine branches and skilfully cut them off. 

The monkey approached him and shouted, “Venerable Immortal, your disciple is here!” 
The man dropped his axe in a fluster and responded, “Imposter! Imposter! I am but a simple man who struggles to find food and clothing. How can you call me a Daoist Immortal?” The Monkey King said, “If you are not a Daoist Immortal, the why do you sing of Daoist things?” The woodcutter said, “What Daoist things?” The Monkey King said, “I have only now arrived at this forest and hear you speak so. I arrived by coincidence. I do not follow The Immortal Path. I came to sit and contemplate the prose of Huang Ting. Huang Ting is brimming with virtue. How are you not immortal?” The woodcutter said, “I conceal nothing from you. They are the lyrics to Fragrant Pavillion. A Daoist Immortal taught me. He and I are   neighbours. He distresses that my family works hard and worries each day. He told me that whenever I am down, to recite these lyrics and alleviate my worries. There is still a part I do not understand and so I ponder their meaning. You unexpectedly heard this.” The Monkey King said, “You live beside the Immortal. Why can you not follow him? You have studied long, yet not well.” 
The woodcutter said, “I have suffered my whole life. My deceitful parents raised me until the age of 19. Only then could I understand the affairs of men. I did not attend my father’s funeral. My mother remains a widow. I am an only child, without brothers and sisters. I can do nothing else but attend to my mother’s needs. She is old and I cannot forsake her. I tend the field without adequate food and clothing. I have to carry this firewood across my shoulders and take it to market. I can make enough to buy a few kilograms of rice which I cook myself to feed my aged mother. I cannot devote my time to spiritual development.” The Monkey King said, “These words you speak show that you are a man of noble character and a filial son. Your future will be good. Please show me the way to the Immortal’s house.” The woodcutter said, “It is not far. This mountain is known as Lingtaifangcun. ” Within it are three caves. It is there that the Immortal lives. He is the founder of Boddhisatva, with countless disciples. At present he has 340 devotees. Follow this path for a distance of 7 or 8 kilometres and you will arrive at his home. The Monkey King shook the woodcutter’s hand and said, “Accompany me and there will be good things. I will always remember your kindness.” The woodcutter said, “You are incorrigible. After what I told you, do you still not understand? If I go with you, who will tend to my mother? I must chop wood, you go, you go.”

The Monkey King could only obey after listening to this. He left the thick forest, followed the path that passed by a hill and arrived at a cave. He looked around him. It was a fine place.

Haze diffracted many colours. Both the sun and moon could be seen in the sky. There were 1000 old cedars and 10000 bamboo stalks. The 1000 old cedar trunks turned the mist green. The 10000 bamboo stalks were an ashen grey. The doorway was decorated with exotic flowers. Beside the bridge was fragrant jade grass. The towering cliff was covered with green moss that draped down and stretched to the very top. He heard the calls of wild cranes and geese. A phoenix flew on the wind. The song of a red-crowned crane shook both the riverbank and the heavens. As the phoenix soared, he could make out five colours of its feathers among the rosy clouds. Mysterious apes and white deer tried to hide from view. A golden lion and a jade elephant did the same. He absorbed this place. It was a total paradise!

The cave door was tightly closed. It was quiet and deserted. He suddenly looked up and saw a stone tablet on the cliff. It was about three feet high and eight inches wide. Inscribed on it were the words: 
Lingtaifangcun Mountain    Looks to the Moon Three Stars Grotto

The handsome Monkey King was delighted, “The person here is simple, with this mountain and this cave.” After staring at it for quite a while, he was hesitant to knock. Rather, he jumped onto the tip of a pine branch and began to naughtily eat pine seeds.

After a time he heard an unusual sound. The door was opening. A leprechaun walked out. He was immensely charming. He had an uncustomary pristine appearance.

His hair was bound with a silk ribbon. He wore a wide gown with two airy sleeves. His appearance did not match his body. His heart and mind were void.
He had lived the mountains in Yongshou since he was a child. No dirt could soil him for he was pure. The leprechaun came outside and said, “Why do you disturb me?” The Monkey King threw himself down from the tree and bowed, “Immortal, I am the descendant of a Daoist Immortal, come to visit you. I did not mean to disturb you.” The Immortal laughed, “Are you seeking The Way?” The Monkey King replied, “Yes.” The Immortal said “My father cannot come here. He is on stage giving a lecture. He did not say why but asked me to open the door. All he said was a devotee has come, go and receive him. I assume he meant you.” The Monkey King said, “Yes. It is I. It is I.” The leprechaun said, “Follow me.”

The Monkey King politely followed him along the path and gazed deeply at this paradise. He saw tall jade buildings. As they went deeper, they came to the Pearl Palace watchtower. It is not an overstatement to say that this peaceful place was indeed remote. They walked up to the creator of Bodhisatva seated upon a jade platform. There were 30 young immortals on either side of him to serve his needs.

The Immortal was serene and free of contamination in this Western boundary. 
He does not live and does not die. His character and soul were graceful.
The natural world changes. So too the nature of man. His longevity was like the sky,
One who comprehends the mind, this great Buddhist Master. 

The Monkey King kowtowed countless times as soon as he saw him. “Master, Master, your devoted disciple pays his respects.” The Master replied, “Where do you come from? Tell me your name and kowtow once more.” The Monkey King replied, “Your disciple comes from Dongsheng in Shenzhou, from a cave with a waterfall at Huaguo Mountain.” The Master shouted a command, “Get him out of here! He is a disparate and void disciple. What path does he follow!” The Monkey kowtowed many times, “Your disciple speaks the truth. I do not deceive you.” The Master said, “You say you speak the truth. To travel here from Dongsheng, one must traverse two vast oceans and the continent of Nanshanbu. So how did you get here?” The Monkey continued to kowtow as he spoke, “I travelled across the oceans on a raft for more than ten years. I have only now arrived.” The Master said, “You took a long time to travel here. Tell me your name.” The Monkey King replied, “I am without a name. If people swear at me, I do not become angry. Should they strike me, I am not displeased. I kindly show my respect and leave. For my whole life I have never had a name.” The Master asked, “How can you not have a name? What name are your parents?” The Monkey King said, “I do not have a mother nor a father.” The Master said, “No mother and father? Were you born in a tree?” The Monkey King said, “No, I was not born in a tree, but was born from a stone. I only remember that in Huaguo Mountain there was an immortal stone, an ancient stone, from which I was born.” The Master concealed a smile on hearing this, “So you were born of Heaven and Earth. Come closer and let me look at you.” The monkey leapt up and walked in a wavy manner. 

The master chuckled, “Your body is weak. You look like a macaque monkey that eats pine cones. Let us choose a name for you. I will name you Monkey. The monkey went to the side of a beast. She was old and unable to have children. She said she will give him the name Sun. Thus there was a reason that Sun went to her side and also, that he was male, her slender infant child. She began to speak to him. “Yes, I shall name you Sun.” The Monkey King was terrifically pleased to hear this. He kowtowed and said, “Good! Good! Good! Today I have a name! I am eternally grateful to you Master. Now that I have a surname, I beg for you to bestow on me a first name.” The Master said, “We have twelve names here,” The Monkey King asked, “What will you grant me?” The Master replied, “Guangdazhihuizhenrushenghaiyingwiyuanjue (Broad Knowledge That Is Born of The Sea And Intelligent Rounded Awareness).” We can condense it to Wu. I have chosen this spiritual name SunWuKong. Do you like it?” 
The Monkey King laughed, “Good! Good! Good! From this day hence, call me SunWuKong!” And so it was. In the beginning the Eastern Bean Goose deceived the nameless King. It rampaged through the sky and waited for SunWuKong. We do not know what path he took. Read the following chapter to find out.