Sun Wukong recounted everything that had happened to Tripitaka.
The Monk Tang exclaimed, deeply moved:
“What can we possibly do in a situation like this?”
The other monks advised him:
“Do not be afraid, Master. Great Sage Sun is the reincarnation of a deity and will protect us from all harm with his extraordinary powers. We belong to the Monastery of Profound Wisdom, a temple originally built by order of the father of the current king. The reason it still stands is because it houses a statue of the late emperor, which no one dares to touch. Therefore, if you wish, you may enter the city with us and honor our humble monastery with your presence.”
Sanctuary at the Monastery
The travelers soon arrived at the monastery. Above its main gate was a large stone tablet inscribed in golden letters: Monastery of Profound Wisdom, Built by Imperial Decree.
The monks opened the gates and led their distinguished guests through the Vairocana Hall into the main temple. Master Tang quickly donned his embroidered robe and prostrated himself before the golden image of Buddha. Only after finishing his prayers did he decide to follow his hosts deeper into the monastery, where they raised their voices and shouted:
“Master, we have guests!”
At once an old man appeared, who upon seeing Sun Wukong threw himself at his feet, sobbing with emotion:
“At last, you have finally come, Master!”
“Why do you address me so respectfully?” asked the Monkey King, surprised.
The elder replied with strange certainty:
“You are Sun Wukong. Every night we dream of you, for the Golden Star of Venus appears in our dreams and reminds us that our misfortunes will vanish the moment you arrive. I would recognize you even with my eyes closed! Oh, how delighted I am that you’ve come! If you had arrived two or three days later, we would all have become wandering spirits.”
The monks hurriedly prepared a vegetarian meal and cleaned a room so their guests could rest in dignity.
Restless Night, Divine Heist
Nevertheless, Wukong was so troubled that when the second watch of the night came, he still hadn’t been able to fall asleep. From somewhere nearby came the sound of gongs and flutes. Without anyone noticing, he left his bed and put on his clothes. He then rose into the air and saw, toward the south, a great glow of torches and lamps. He discovered that the Taoists at the Temple of the Three Pures (Temple of Three Pure Ones) were conducting prayers and rituals to avert disasters.
Without delay, the Monkey King went to his companions’ room and tried to wake Wuneng first, who responded sleepily:
“Haven’t you gone to sleep yet?”
The Monkey King urged him:
“Get up. Let’s go enjoy some delicacies.”
The Monk Sha repeated, surprised:
“At this hour? Where could we possibly find delicacies at this time of night?”
Wukong informed them:
“At the Temple of Three Pure Ones. Right now the Taoists are holding a ceremony, and the main hall is overflowing with offerings. It seems they lack for nothing. I won’t even tell you how big their steamed buns are—they’re as large as barrels—and their pastries must weigh between fifty and sixty kilograms each. Not to mention the rice dishes and giant fruits resting on the tables.”
Though half-asleep, upon hearing about all the food, Bajie instantly woke up and anxiously asked:
“Are you planning to take me with you?”
Wukong told him:
“If you want to eat, get up quietly and follow us.”
The two disciples quickly dressed and carefully slipped out of the room. The Monkey King was already waiting at the door. Without a word, they boarded a cloud and soared into the sky.
They couldn’t steal the food just yet, because the Taoists at the Temple of the Three Pures were still conducting their prayers and supplications to the gods, asking for protection from calamities.
Storming the Taoist Temple
The Monkey King made a magical gesture with his fingers and recited the appropriate incantation, looking toward the southwest. Instantly, a whirlwind swept through the entire Temple of the Three Pures, knocking over vases and candelabras, shattering the votive tablets hanging on the walls. The temple was plunged into complete darkness, and the Taoists were so frightened that the Immortal Tiger Power finally suggested:
“It would be best if everyone retires to their quarters, for this wind—surely of divine origin—has extinguished all our lanterns, torches, and lamps. Tomorrow we shall rise a little earlier than usual and chant more scriptures to make up, in some way, for tonight’s interruption.”
The Taoists obeyed immediately.
Pilfering the Offerings
Finally, Wukong, Bajie, and Monk Sha descended from the cloud and entered the Temple of Three Pure Ones.
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