When Sun Wukong failed to defeat the Green Bull Demon, he sought aid from Tathagata Buddha. Though aware of the demon’s origins, Tathagata withheld this knowledge, fearing Wukong’s indiscretion. He dispatched Arhats instead of intervening personally — even when they too proved ineffective.
During Sun Wukong’s havoc in the Heavenly Palace, why did the Jade Emperor summon the Buddha (Tathagata) instead of the Three Pure Ones?
In Journey to the West, why did the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit have the Golden Binding Rope (the yellow-gold rope)?
In both Chinese folklore and the novel Journey to the West, Laozi is considered one of the most powerful figures. He is also known as the the Supreme Elder Lord, or Supreme Exalted Lord, one of the Three Purities.