Sun Wukong, the Monkey King in Journey to the West, possesses extraordinary strength and supernatural abilities. For example, he can carry mountains, move at meteoric speeds, and defeat even the mightiest warriors. In this post, we will talk about how strong the monkey is and unveil the power of the monkey king.
First, let’s examine what abilities Sun Wukong actually possesses. In the original Journey to the West, Sun Wukong learned several foundational skills from Patriarch Bodhi that established his power level. Ranked by importance, these were: the Great Pinnacle of Immortality Art, the Seventy-Two Transformations, and the Somersault Cloud.
He also learned common knowledge encompassing various teachings (Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian), which shaped his worldview and enabled him to navigate the Three Realms safely. This foundational worldview was crucial; without it, he would have lacked the courage to venture through the realms. However, we won’t delve deeply into this general knowledge here; instead, we’ll focus on the source of Sun Wukong’s confidence: the Great Pinnacle of Immortality Art, the Seventy-Two Transformations, and the Somersault Cloud.
The Great Pinnacle of Immortality Art
The Great Pinnacle of Immortality Art(also known as The Supreme Formula of Celestial Immortal) is essentially a root, foundational skill. It represents the source of immortal power, the driving force, the underlying method that powers other abilities – akin to an engine. The strength of an immortal largely depends on the potency of such a foundational art. According to the celestial hierarchy ranking immortals as Heavenly, Earthly, Divine, Human, and Ghost Immortals, Sun Wukong’s foundational art placed him at the Heavenly Immortal level.
Patriarch Bodhi described the Great Pinnacle of Immortality Art as the “wondrous path to longevity.” Mastery of this art allows one to “achieve Buddhahood or Immortality upon completion.” This clearly states the art’s level: mastering it grants not only longevity but also the attainment of Buddhahood or Immortal status. Sun Wukong mastered this art, hence he was recognized in Heaven as a Great Immortal of Grand Unity (Taiyi Tianxian) – explicitly stated by the Three Stars (Fortunes, Prosperity, Longevity). What rank is a Great Immortal of Grand Unity? It is a position within the Upper Eight Grottoes, surpassed only by the Three Pure Ones and the Four Heavenly Ministers.
The Seventy-Two Transformations
Next, let’s look at his other major skill: the Seventy-Two Transformations. This magical ability isn’t just about changing into birds, trees, or monsters. When Patriarch Bodhi taught it to Sun Wukong, he presented it as a means to evade disasters. It is a magic specifically designed to escape the karmic retribution of the Three Calamities (Thunder, Fire, Wind). These calamities represent Heaven’s destructive power aimed at the physical body. Mastering the Seventy-Two Transformations allows one to evade these three disasters. In a sense, it’s an extremely sophisticated disguise and concealment skill – fundamentally a defensive, life-preserving ability.
The Somersault Cloud
Then there’s Sun Wukong’s third skill: the Somersault Cloud. Essentially, this is an escape ability. For a lone fighter, this skill holds significant strategic value – the power to disengage from combat at will. However, Sun Wukong’s reliance on this skill backfired many times in actual battles. Tathagata Buddha (Buddha), the Golden-Winged Roc, and various magical artifacts like the Yin-Yang Two Qi Vase, the Golden Cymbals, and the Purple Gold Gourd all countered his Somersault Cloud. Thus, while seemingly the most spectacular, the Somersault Cloud was ironically a weakness in Sun Wukong’s combat effectiveness. That said, its speed advantage still offered him considerable convenience for personal travel.
Having covered his foundational skills, let’s consider some additional attributes, skills or weapons. Sun Wukong’s supplementary abilities were mostly cultivated or directly gifted to him later by powerful beings.
Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod
This is his only truly impressive treasure. Its origin was dubious, acquired by extortion from the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea. Of course, there was a destined connection between Sun Wukong and the rod, hence its glow before his arrival. This rod could enlarge, shrink, thicken, thin, lengthen, or shorten, weighed 13,500 catties, and was lethal upon contact – essentially a superb smashing weapon.
Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils
The Fiery Eyes helps him detect and avoid hidden dangers.
Three Life-Saving Hairs
Bestowed by Guanyin Bodhisattva. The Three Life-Saving Hairs indeed saved him from sudden disasters, like when he was nearly dissolved in the Yin-Yang Two Qi(Energy) Vase; one hair transformed into a drill to bore through the vase, enabling his escape.
Lawful Embodiment of Heaven and Earth
When activated, the user’s height increases to ten thousand zhang, and their strength multiplies, but it consumes immense energy. In the original text, it was used only three times (in battles against Erlang Shen, the Bull Demon King, and to display might at Flower-Fruit Mountain).
Outer Body / Clone Technique
Pulling out hairs to transform into thousands of doppelgangers. Often used in group combat (e.g., against the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals).
Soul Projection
Allows the soul to leave the body and cast spells (e.g., used in the Dharma Competition at Chechi Kingdom to solve puzzles combined with transformation magic). Requires extremely high magical power to sustain.
Sleepy Insect
Won by Sun Wukong from Heavenly Kings during guessing games when he was in the Heaven. Usually kept at his waist. When flicked onto someone’s face, the insect crawls into their nostrils, causing drowsiness.
Three Heads and Six Arms
Transforms into a Dharma body with three heads and six arms, wielding three Compliant Golden-Hooped Rods.
Adamantine Body
A body forged by Sun Wukong through tempering stolen Peaches of Immortality, Imperial Wine, and Elixir Pills with Samadhi Fire. Invulnerable to blades, axes, spears, swords, thunder strikes, or fire.
Body-Freezing Spell
By twisting hand-seals and chanting an incantation, the target is immobilized. Can also be cast by pointing directly at the target. Without a counterspell, the immobilized person remains fixed for a whole day before release.
Invisibility Art
Conceals physical form, leaving no trace. Combined with the Body-Fleeing Art, it enables swift escape or covert infiltration, making detection difficult.
Fire-Avoiding Incantation
Allows the user to ignore flames and evade fire-based attacks.
Water-Avoiding Incantation
Parts water currents, enabling free movement underwater.
Circle of Confinement
Draws a protective circle on the ground with the Golden-Hooped Rod, safeguarding those within. Stronger than walls of bronze and iron; wild beasts, demons, and evil spirits dare not approach.
Overall, much like his standing in Heaven, Sun Wukong belonged to a high tier but was not top-tier – better than most but falling short of the absolute best. He could strut his stuff cautiously in the mortal realm, but his seeming invincibility during the Havoc in Heaven was largely due to the Heavenly soldiers holding back.
Nevertheless, Sun Wukong remains an invincible spirit in his unwavering courage, relentless perseverance, and devotion to protecting Tang Sanzang (Tripitaka) and overcoming all obstacles on the journey west to retrieve the scriptures. As his ultimate title, Buddha of Victorious Fighting, signifies: fighting and achieving victory – that is the truly peerless Great Sage Equaling Heaven in our hearts.
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