🧚 T’ang Sung’s Journey to Get the Buddhist Classics

In the year 629 A.D., a very devout monk, T’ang Sung, hoping to achieve merit by which he might avoid death and that he might become one of the Eternal Holy Ones, accepted the proposal of his Emperor that he should go to the west in search of the famous Buddhist Classics.1

Alone he set out on his journey to the Yellow River where the caravans to India were wont to form.2 On his way he met a wonderful monkey.3 The monkey asked the priest where he was going, and on being told, decided that he would go along with the good priest!4 “But what can you do?5 Why should you go?” asked the monk.6

The monkey replied, “I am a famous jumper.7 With one jump I can touch the heavens; I can walk on water and on the air; I can change myself into seventy-two different shapes.”8 After some more conversation the monk consented to the company of the monkey, and giving him the name Sun Hou, he fastened a string to his neck and started on his way.9 The monkey was very changeful in his disposition and the monk had a hard time making him mind.10 After going a few miles he met a holy man who said, “If he does not mind you I will tell you something to say to him which will make his head ache, and he will go quietly with you.”11 Going along a few more miles they met a pig, and on hearing from the monkey where they were going, said he also would go and help find the books.12

“What can you do to help?” asked T’ang Sung.13

“I can catch thieves and have power to do many strange things,” was the reply; “and the only trouble with me is that I walk slowly.”14 The monk considered the question, and as he did not like to be unkind to a pig said he could go.15 Afterward on the road they met a very stupid simple priest, and he plead so hard to be allowed to join the party that the monk also consented; thus the four travelled slowly along until they met a white horse.16 He asked the errand of the strange company, and after hearing the story, said he also would go and T’ang Sung might ride him.17 The foolish priest carried the baggage, the pig carried the gun, and the monkey was sent on ahead to make all the arrangements.18

On the road to India they had to pass seventy-two caves, where demons lived, who were ever on the watch for travellers.19

One day they travelled till night; all day they had been without food, and as darkness came on and no village was in sight the monkey said, “I will jump and see where a village is.”20 He gave a great jump and saw they were not far from a village; he heard a great noise which frightened him; he gave another jump and saw the village was on the bank of a great river eight hundred yards wide.21 The monkey returned and got his companions and led them to the home of the rich man of the village.22

He struck the bell the priest carried, and the servants, on opening the gate and seeing the queer procession, were very much frightened.23 Sun Hou said, “Don’t be afraid.24 We are from the Emperor, and going to India to get the sacred books of the great Buddha.25 We want something to eat and a place to sleep, as we are very weary.”26

The owner of the place replied, “I am able to give what you ask, but not to-night as I am in great trouble.”27

“What is it?28 Perhaps I can help you,” said the monkey.29

Then said the rich man, “For long years a terrible demon has lived in the river and every year we have to prepare a young boy and a young girl as an offering for him or he will destroy the village by causing the river to overflow.30 To-night is the yearly sacrifice and it falls on me.31 I am a large householder, but I have only one little boy and one little girl, and my heart is breaking with my grief, but I must give them up to save the lives of the many in the village.”32 Sun Hou said, after a moment’s thought, “Don’t be anxious.33 I have a plan.34 Get us something to eat.”35

After eating, Sun Hou commanded that the children should be brought into the room.36 After looking at them Sun Hou said to the pig, “You impersonate the girl and I will the boy;” the pig shook himself three times, and the father said, “Well done.”37 Soon after the procession, which had been forming in the village, came for them, with drums beating and banners flying.38 They carried the supposed children to the temple on the river bank.39 Cooked chicken was placed on the table, the incense lighted, then all went out and the door was locked.40

Then when all was quiet Sun Hou said to the pig, “You take one side and I will the other and don’t be afraid.”41 About midnight there was the sound of a great wind, and then Sun Hou said, “Be careful, the demon, Yao Ching, is coming.”42 Immediately the door opened and a great fishlike being came into the temple.43 They heard him say, “In the past I have taken the boy first, but to-night I shall eat the girl first.”44 With that he seized the girl, who immediately struck him, and then, with the help of the boy, fought a terrible battle and injured him so that he fled, leaving two great fins on the floor.45

The river-demon sought out the king of the demons and told him the story.46 He said, “You call up a great cold wind, bring snow and ice and freeze over the river, then when they get half-way over the river, you call your friends to help you and put your strength together and cause the ice to give way and precipitate them all into the river.”47

The demon was pleased with the plan and in three days the ice was so thick that farmers could cross in their carts.48 All this time the four strange companions were living in great comfort with the rich man of the house, who gave them many rich presents and much food.49 On the fourth day they started on, and when they got to the middle of the river the ice broke and all went into the water except the monkey, who gave a great jump and landed on the top of a high mountain.50 The others were taken captive, and put in a deep cave by the river-demon to wait until they had caught Sun Hou, when all should be eaten together.51 Day after day, Sun Hou went down on the river bank and reviled them.52 Many were the fierce battles they fought but neither could get the victory.53 At last one day Sun Hou took a mighty jump and arrived at the home of the Goddess of Mercy, who was in her palace in the Southern Sea.54

“Ah!” said she; “I knew you were coming.55 I have waited for you.”56 She was making a fish-basket of bamboo.57 When she heard his troubles she said, “Wait.58 I am making this great fish-basket to catch him in.59 He used to live in my sea, and is my special food fish, but he rebelled and ran away and for many years has lived in the great river.60 You go back and call him and fight again, and I will come and get him in my basket.”61 In the terrible battle which followed the Goddess of Mercy let from Heaven a basket and took him in and up to Heaven.62

Then Sun Hou called some of the Heavenly Soldiers to his aid, and they went with him and found his companions in a cave, but alas! the men could not swim.63 While Sun Hou was pondering, a big turtle came along and said, “I knock my head to you.64 You are my preserver.65 Many years ago this cave was mine, but the river-demons took it, and now, to show my thanks, if you will all get on my back I will carry you over the river.”66 This they did, and on the way the turtle said, “You are going to India to find out how one can live forever?67 Will you ask the merciful Buddha what my after-life is to be like?”68 Sun Hou promised, and as they would need help in crossing on their return he was to look out for them.69

As they travelled on they came to the country of Pú Táo.70 The king asked them where they were going and also demanded a proof of their Imperial mission.71 Now, this king had three famous ministers called Fox, Deer, and Sheep.72 They said these persons must first prove their strength before they could go on their way.73 To the question as to whether their contest was to be of military skill or a contest of mind, the monkey chose the latter.74 A platform thirty feet high was built.75 Then Minister Fox said to T’ang Sung, “We two will go up there and see which can sit without moving an eyelash for the longest time; the one who moves first is to be killed.”76 While thus sitting the sheep changed himself into a worm and crawled up on the bald head of the priest, and bit his head in many places.77 T’ang Sung was most uncomfortable and his face showed it.78