In Journey to the West, the question of whether Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) consumes human flesh is a topic of debate. While many demons, including Tang Sanzang’s disciples Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) and Sha Wujing (Sandy), have cannibalistic pasts, Wukong’s relationship with human flesh is more complex and symbolic.
Evidence Suggesting Wukong Ate Humans
The White Bone Demon Incident
When the White Bone Demon transforms into a young girl, an old woman, and an elderly man to trick Tang Sanzang, Wukong kills all three forms. To justify his actions, Wukong claims:
“Monkey,” said Tripitaka, “you used to possess a measure of true dis-cernment. How is it that you are talking nonsense today? This Lady Bodhisattva is so kind that she wants to feed me with her rice. Why do you say that she’s a monster?”
“Master,” said Pilgrim with a laugh, “how could you know about this? When I was a monster back at the Water-Curtain Cave, I would act like this if I wanted to eat human flesh. I would change myself into gold or silver, a lonely building, a harmless drunk, or a beautiful woman. Anyone feeble-minded enough to be attracted by me I would lure back to the cave. There I would enjoy him as I pleased, by steaming or boiling. If I couldn’t finish him off in one meal, I would dry the leftovers in the sun to keep for rainy days. Master, if I had returned a little later, you would have fallen into her trap and been harmed by her.” That Tang Monk, however, simply refused to believe these words; he kept saying instead that the woman was a good person.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 27
This explicit admission implies Wukong once engaged in cannibalism during his rebellious youth.
Counterarguments: Why He Likely Did Not
Natural Diet
Before his spiritual training, Wukong was a stone-born monkey who subsisted on fruit and vegetation (as did his subjects on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits).
Eight Rules walked forward and was about to do this when he was stopped by Tripitaka. “You can’t do it;’ he said. “Wukong still should take over:’ That elder indeed had presence of mind, for Zhu Eight Rules, you see, had been a cannibal since his youth, and his breath was unclean. Pilgrim, on the other hand, had practiced self-cultivation since his birth, the food sustaining him being various fruits and nuts, and thus his breath was pure.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 39
His adherence to vegetarianism during the pilgrimage further attests to this point.
After Idiot changed back into the form of Laozi, the three of them took their seats and abandoned themselves to enjoyment. They ate the huge buns fist; then they gobbled down the side dishes, the rice condiments, the dumplings, the baked goods, the cakes, the deep-fried dishes, and the steamed pastries regardless of whether these were hot or cold. Pilgrim Sun, however, was not too fond of anything cooked; all he had were a few pieces of fruit, just to keep the other two company.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 44
Taoist and Buddhist Discipline
After learning immortality from Master Subhuti, Wukong disdained base desires like cannibalism.
Human corpses found in their territory were discarded into deep lakes, not consumed.
He then shouted, “Little ones, come out!” When those monkeys saw that the violent wind had passed and heard the Great Sage calling, they all jumped out. “Go down to the south side of the mountain;’ said the Great Sage, “and strip the dead hunters of their clothes. Bring them back home, wash away the bloodstains, and you all can wear them to ward off the cold. The corpses you can push into the deep mountain lake over there. Pull back here also the horses that are killed; their hides can be used to make boots, and their meat can be cured for us to enjoy slowly. Gather up the bows and arrows, the swords and spears, and you can use them for military drills again. And finally, bring me those banners of miscellaneous colors; I have use for them.”
— Journey to the West, Chapter 28
Divine Nature
Unlike ordinary demons, Wukong possesses an innate “Taoist heart” and “Buddha-nature”. His cravings align with spiritual transcendence, not carnal indulgence.
The Monkey King and the Black Bear Spirit
It is noteworthy that Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) is not an exception. In Journey to the West, there are other demons and spirits who, like him, possess a “Taoist heart” and “Buddha-nature”. A prime example is the Black Bear Spirit.
The Black Bear Spirit lives in a refined environment, studies Taoist alchemy, and engages in philosophical debates. Unlike typical demons who crave human flesh, he pursues spiritual and intellectual growth, reflecting Taoist ideals of harmony with nature and inner cultivation.
His theft of Tang Sanzang’s Brocade Cassock is not driven by greed but by a desire to host a “Buddha Cassock Symposium” or even join the team for Buddhist scriptures quest—a symbolic quest for enlightenment.
Conclusion
While Journey to the West hints at Wukong’s cannibalistic past, textual and symbolic evidence suggests he never actually consumed human flesh.
Wukong’s “confession” in Chapter 27 is likely a tactical lie to convince Tang Sanzang that the White Bone Demon was a threat.
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