Braving the wind and waves, the Handsome Monkey King sailed his raft across endless seas until, one day, distant land came into view—the South Jambudvipa Continent(Nanshan Buzhou).
Monkey King’s Journey to the Southern Continent
He took the pole to test the water, and, finding it shallow, he abandoned the raft and jumped ashore.
Upon landing, he spotted people fishing, hunting wild geese, digging clams, and harvesting salt along the shore. The Monkey King, curious and mischievous, startled them with his antics. They dropped their baskets and nets, scattering in terror.
Catching one who lagged behind, the Monkey King stripped the man’s clothes and clumsily dressed himself.
Swaggering into a bustling town, he wandered streets and alleys, mimicking human etiquette, gestures and speech.
He saw, however, that the people of the world were all seekers after profit and fame; there was not one who showed concern for his appointed end.
When will end this quest for fortune and fame,
This tyrant of early rising and retiring late?
Riding on mules they long for noble steeds;
By now prime ministers, they hope to be kings.
For food and raiment they suffer stress and strain,
Never fearing Yama’s call to reckoning.
Seeking wealth and power to give to sons of sons,
There’s not one ever willing to turn back.
For eight or nine years, he roamed cities and villages, seeking the wisdom of immortals, Buddhas, and sages to unlock the secret of eternal life—all while unknowingly sowing chaos with his otherworldly presence.
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