One Wukong called on Sha Wujing for help, and the other Wukong did the same.
It was difficult for Sha Wujing to tell the true from the false, so he said:
“Pause your battle! Let Guanyin at Mount Potalaka judge who is real!”
Guanyin’s Failed Test
But they would not stop fighting, even as they sped swiftly toward the Southern Seas. Soon they spotted Potalaka Mountain.
The disciples and the Bodhisattva watched them for a long time, but no one seemed able to tell who was who.
Guanyin ordered:
“Stop fighting at once and stand face to face. I must take a closer look at both of you.”
They obeyed, but almost simultaneously began to protest.
“I am the real one!” declared one.
“He is the fake!” repeated the other.
Then Guanyin called Moksa and Sudhana (the Boy of Good Fortune) over and whispered into their ears:
“Each of you grab one of them while I recite the spell Tathagata taught me. The one who cries out in pain is real.”
The disciples grabbed both Monkey Kings from behind, and the Bodhisattva Guanyin began to recite the magical words. To everyone’s surprise, both clutched their heads at the same time, fell to the ground, and pleaded with pitiful voices:
“Please stop chanting!”
Stumped, Guanyin advised:
“When you were appointed stable master of the heavenly stables and threw the heavens into chaos, the celestial warriors had no trouble recognizing you. Therefore, I think you’d better go to the Heaven and seek judgment there.”
Celestial Mirror’s Futility
Without ceasing their blows or stopping their curses and insults, the two Monkey Kings made their way toward the South Gate of Heaven.
The gods watched them for a long time but failed to identify the impostor.
The two Wukongs shouted in unison:
“It’s obvious that you cannot tell one from the other! Step aside and let us go see the Jade Emperor.”
Remaining calm, the Jade Emperor summoned Devaraja Li (Heavenly King Li) and ordered:
“Bring immediately the Demon-Revealing Mirror that reveals monsters and make these two look into it. In this way, the impostor can be identified and receive the punishment he deserves.”
Devaraja Li promptly carried out the order, and the Jade Emperor and the other gods eagerly looked into the mirror. To their astonishment, they saw it reflected two identical Wukongs.
Then the Jade Emperor said:
“It would be better if you go to the Underworld to consult the Kings of Darkness — they may be able to discover the identity of the false Wukong.”
Ksitigarbha’s Revelation
The two Wukongs arrived, still fighting without pause, at the Mountain of Eternal Shadow(Mountain of Perpetual Shadow). The spirits on guard began to tremble in fear at seeing them battle so fiercely. Some tried to hide, while others slipped through the narrow passage leading to the underworld to inform their masters.
“There, outside the foothills of the Mountain of Perpetual Shadow, are two Great Sages, fighting each other as if they had gone mad.”
Soon the Ten Kings of Hell arrived, and they sent demons to inform King Ksitigarbha.
Angry, the Kings of the Underworld approached them and urged them to stop the fight, saying:
“Can you explain to us why you have come here to plunge our realm into such chaos?”
So the two Monkey Kings explained their request.
The Kings of the Underworld summoned the judge in charge of the Book of Life and Death, but after carefully examining it, he found no record of any impostor named Wukong.
“We fear, Great Sages, that in these shadowy realms there is no way to discover the name of the impostor. If you wish to find out, you must go to the world of light.”
“Wait a moment!” said Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.
“Before you leave, I would like to consult the Investigating Ear about your case.”
The Investigating Ear was a beast that spent the day lying at Ksitigarbha’s feet.
At Ksitigarbha’s request, the beast sprawled on the floor. Soon, lifting its head, it said to its master:
“I know the impostor’s name, but revealing it here would unleash chaos.”
Ksitigarbha asked:
“What would happen if I revealed his name while he is here?”
The Investigating Ear replied:
“If I did, that monster would throw this sacred hall into chaos and destroy the peace that reigns in this World of Shadows. The magical powers of that monster are in no way different from those of the Great Sage. The underworld deities are completely powerless against him. That is why it is so difficult to seize him.”
Journey to Buddha
“Then what can we do to defeat him?” insisted Ksitigarbha, worried.
“Only Buddha’s infinite power can subdue him,” concluded the Investigating Ear.
Ksitigarbha then approached the two Wukongs and said:
“You are so alike, possessing identical powers. Go to Thunder Monastery—let Tathagata end this riddle.”
The Monkey Kings chorused:
“You are right. We shall go to the Western Paradise and let Buddha decide.”
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