Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 455 The Water Ape Becomes a Disciple, Subduing a Hundred Demons with His Heart

The True Man, accompanied by the Bull Demon King and riding a white deer, left Mount Luojia in the South Sea and returned to Mount Lingtai Fangcun.

The two had just arrived at the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars when the True Man dismounted from the white deer and instructed it to rest in the mountains.

The immortal turned to look at the Bull Demon King and said with a smile, "Bull King, I'm sorry to have troubled you to come with me. Now that we're back home, you should rest well and not get too tired."

The Bull Demon King said, "Master, didn't you say that a person destined for the Dharma will arrive? I, the old bull, can stay here and guide that person to the Dharma."

The master shook his head and said, "That person destined for the Dharma does not need guidance. He has some abilities and will find his way on his own. You should go back and rest now. I should also go into the mansion. There are guests coming to the mansion, and I must go and meet them."

The Bull Demon King responded and then asked, "Master, who is that visitor, and can he speak with me?"

The immortal said, "It is none other than the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King knew he could not delay any longer. The True Man should go and meet with the Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi. He bowed to the True Man and then departed.

Seeing that the Bull Demon King had left the quiet room, the True Man went into the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars and headed towards the pavilion.

A short while later, the True Man walked into the pavilion and saw that the Patriarch was entertaining Zhen Yuanzi. He stepped forward, bowed deeply to the Patriarch, and said, "Disciple Guangxin greets Master."

After bowing, he bowed to Zhen Yuanzi again and said, "Guangxin greets the Great Immortal!"

Both the Patriarch and Zhen Yuanzi taught that true men need not be overly formal.

Zhen Yuanzi's gaze fell on the nine cauldrons at the True Man's waist. He was greatly surprised and couldn't help but stand up, saying, "Guangxin, what good fortune! The nine cauldrons have now returned to their rightful place! No wonder that fellow Bodhi said that you would be the master in the next calamity. Judging from what I see now, you will indeed be the master in the next calamity!"

The patriarch smiled broadly, his eyes filled with joy, for he was also happy that the True Man had obtained the Nine Cauldrons.

The immortal laughed and said, "It was just a lucky find. I don't deserve such praise from a great immortal."

Zhen Yuanzi said, "Don't be modest now. You are no longer the little Taoist boy you once were. Now you are worthy to be my equal."

The master said, “I am a disciple of my master. My master and the immortal are of the same generation. How can I associate with the immortal on the same level? This is absolutely impossible.”

Zhen Yuanzi said, "Let each of us speak our own mind. As for you now, even if you asked me to call you a junior, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to do it."

The master shook his head and said, "Seniority and juniority have nothing to do with the level of magical power. If strength is the only thing that matters, then one has lost one's sense of propriety."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Guangxin, your words are enough for me to understand your meaning. In that case, you shall be my junior."

The real person responded with a smile.

Zhen Yuanzi said, “I have come here today to congratulate you on your success. At that time, all the gods congratulated you, so I could not say much. Now I have come again to congratulate you. Furthermore, I have also come here to congratulate Bodhi. It is truly a great blessing that you were able to obtain this mantle.”

Upon hearing this, the True Man understood Zhen Yuanzi's purpose, so he took his seat and, together with the Patriarch, treated Zhen Yuanzi with courtesy and began to converse with him.

The master and disciple entertained Zhen Yuanzi for a long time, and it was more than half a year later that Zhen Yuanzi finally left.

After Zhen Yuanzi left, the master and disciple returned to the quiet room to talk.

The patriarch sat cross-legged on the futon and smiled, “Child, in my opinion, you will probably not be able to leave the mansion again for a while. Many people with affinity for the Dharma are rushing here. Those who are closest to the mountain will arrive in two or three days.”

The master said, “Master, I had no intention of leaving the manor. Now that I have attained great magical power, I should serve you by your side often.”

The Patriarch designated a True Man, and said with a smile and a scolding, "When you leave, do not say such things. If others find out that I have assigned a powerful magician to serve as my attendant, I wonder how they will view me."

The master smiled and said, "You are my master, and serving my master is what I should do."

The patriarch said, “Don’t say such things. But the day when your karmic friend ascends the mountain is just around the corner. You should be thinking about how to teach him.”

The master shook his head and said, "Master, this karmic connection is beyond my expectations. How could this be a karmic connection with me?"

The patriarch smiled and said, "You know its origins, so why do you say there is no Dharma to which there is affinity?"

The master said, “Master, this person who has the affinity with the Dharma is none other than the Great Sage of the Huai River Water Ape. He once did evil, and I subdued him, taught him to do good, and pacified the water veins of the four directions. I never expected that he would come to me to become my disciple.”

The patriarch said, “You have guided him to do good, which means you have a karmic connection with him. Now that you have established your own academy, he will hear your teachings and his heart will be moved. He will naturally come to you to become your disciple.”

The master nodded and said, "Master, this Great Sage Water Ape has his own abilities, and there is very little I can teach him."

The patriarch said, “Since he has come to ask you to be his disciple, he must have something he wants. You will know when he arrives, so there is no need to worry too much.”

The real person responded and said no more.

The master and disciple talked in a quiet room for two or three days.

Two or three days later, the True Man departed. Knowing that the Great Sage of the Water Ape was about to arrive, he went to the Jade Terrace and summoned Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, who were playing and laughing in the mansion. He also summoned Zuo Liang and Zhen Jian from the library to await the arrival of the Great Sage of the Water Ape.

After the four arrived, he instructed Zhenjian to go outside the mansion to welcome the Great Sage Water Ape.

……

Meanwhile, outside the cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars, the Great Sage of the Water Ape was looking inside. He saw that the cave was extraordinary and had the air of an immortal, which pleased him greatly. He thought to himself that the residence of an immortal was indeed extraordinary.

After his initial joy, the Great Sage of the Water Ape hesitated, unsure whether he should knock on the door. If he did, would the immortal in the mansion be displeased, or would it disturb his peaceful cultivation?

The Great Sage of the Water Ape dared not knock on the door and could only stand outside the mansion. Just as he was pondering, he suddenly saw a man who looked like a high monk coming out of the mansion gate.

The Great Sage of the Water Ape was startled and took several steps back.

The one who stepped forward gently touched the ground, and a Buddha-light arose from the void, supporting him and preventing him from falling. He smiled and said, "Have you come to seek the Dao?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape bowed and said, "Indeed, indeed. Master, I have come to seek the Dao, but I do not know if I may enter?"

Zhen Jian smiled and said, "My senior brother is waiting for you at the Jade Terrace. You may enter. My senior brother has said that the person who came from here is no ordinary person."

The Great Sage of the Water Ape hurriedly replied, "I dare not accept such praise, I dare not accept such praise."

Zhenjian then led the way, intending to guide the Great Sage of the Water Ape into the path.

The Great Sage of the Water Ape followed Zhenjian into the mansion. As he passed by, the sights within filled him with reverence, and he dared not be disrespectful in the slightest.

A short while later, the two arrived at the Jade Terrace. The Great Sage Water Ape looked at the Jade Terrace and saw familiar faces among the attendants, such as Sun Wukong and Zuo Liang. He had intended to go up and greet them, but upon seeing the High Platform Immortal, he dared not approach. Instead, he went inside, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed to him countless times.

He said, "I am a monkey from the Huai River in Jambudvipa, paying my respects to the True Man! It has been many years since we last met. Do you still remember me, True Man?"

With a flick of his sleeve, the immortal sent a gentle breeze to help the Great Sage Water Ape to his feet. He laughed and said, "Great Sage Water Ape, how could I forget you?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape panicked and said, "Before the True Man, I dare not call myself the Great Sage."

The immortal shook his head and said, "There's no need to be so tense. Great Sage Water Ape, what brings you here today? Tell me."

The Great Sage of the Water Ape hesitated, unsure how to explain to the True Man that he had come to seek the Dao and become a disciple.

The immortal smiled and showed no impatience, sitting on the high platform, waiting for the Great Sage of the Water Ape to speak.

After a long while, the Great Sage of the Water Ape knelt on the ground again and said, “True Master! I have come to pay my respects today because I seek the Dao. I wish to become your disciple and beg for your grace. In the past, I often wreaked havoc on the Huai and Si rivers, stirring up waves and ravaging living beings, committing grave sins. Fortunately, you released and captured me seven times, my foolishness was transformed, and I repented. Later, I was ordered by you to guard the Huai River, pacifying the waves. If floods suddenly occur in the four directions, I will appear to save the people and quell the disaster. From the Zhenguan era to the Xuanhe era, for more than four hundred years, I have been diligent and conscientious, never neglecting my duties, and never forgetting the promise I made years ago. Now I hear that you have opened your office to spread the Dao, and that you have issued a decree that all those with affinity may come. Therefore, I dare to sincerely request that you accept me as your disciple. I will certainly study diligently and follow your teachings to repay your kindness.”

The master was moved and said, “I see divine light emanating from you, which tells me that you have brought blessings to this region and your sins have long been atoned for. Now you have merit to repay. When I first established my academy, I said that those with affinity will see the three stars guiding them, while those without will not be able to see even if they stand at the entrance of the cave. The fact that you have come here is enough to show that you have an affinity with me. Since you are willing to become my disciple, I will accept you as my disciple. But you must think it over carefully. Your skills are not bad. If you become my disciple, it would be a waste of your talents.”

The Great Sage of the Water Ape kowtowed and said, "This disciple wishes to become a disciple of the True Master!"

The man said, "Really?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape said, "I will never regret it!"

The master said, "Since that's the case, I will accept you as my disciple. I have often heard of your name, Great Sage Water Ape, but I do not know your true appearance. Do you have a surname and a given name?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape shook his head and said, "I have no name because I am a water ape, hence the name Great Sage of the Water Ape."

The Master pondered for a moment and said, "You and Junior Brother Wukong are both in the shape of monkeys, like the monkeys that eat pine cones. How about we give you a surname like Junior Brother Wukong's, 'Sun'?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape was overjoyed and agreed.

The master smiled and said, “Since you have agreed, you must have a surname and a given name. I will give you a Dharma name as your name. However, my school has a fourteen-character generation, which is ‘正心合礼存诚善，至静德方利永贞’. You are in the ‘心’ generation, but you still need one more character.”

Say it.

The immortal observed the Great Sage Water Ape for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Years ago, I taught you a thing or two about cultivation in the Huai River. Do you still remember?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape said, "I dare not forget."

The master said, "Say one sentence so that I may understand."

The Great Sage of the Water Ape replied, "The True Man once told me that a single thought can ignite a hundred demons, and cultivation is the most arduous path, so what can one do against it?"

The master smiled and said, "You do remember. In that case, I will give you the Dharma name 'Subjugation,' hoping you will subdue all demons and control all thoughts. Make a mental subjugation, what do you think?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape was overjoyed, for he deserved this Dharma name.

Sun Wukong watched from the sidelines, his heart filled with emotion. In a daze, he seemed to return to the time when he crossed the ocean and arrived at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain.

The True Man took the Great Sage of the Water Ape under his wing, then told him that there were many mundane matters in the mansion to be done every day, without mentioning any further instruction. He then left the Jade Terrace and headed towards the Quiet Chamber.

Inside the Jade Terrace, as everyone watched the immortal depart, Sun Wukong and the others immediately surrounded the Water Ape Great Sage.

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You rascal, you've actually come to ask to be my disciple. I'm quite surprised."

The Great Sage of the Water Ape bowed to Sun Wukong and said, "Uncle-Master."

Sun Wukong grabbed the Water Ape Great Sage and said, "We've known each other for a long time, why are you calling me Uncle-Master?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape said, "A senior uncle is a senior uncle; the seniority must not be confused."

Sun Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks, and said, "Why is that?"

The Great Sage of the Water Ape laughed and said, "Uncle-Master, Master just gave me the Dharma name 'Heart Subduer' so that I can subdue a hundred demons and control a hundred thoughts. I shouldn't break the precepts. Therefore, the order of seniority must not be confused."

Sun Wukong said, "Fine, fine, fine. I won't force you."

Zuo Liang also stepped forward to congratulate the Great Sage of the Water Ape on becoming a disciple of the True Man.

The Great Sage of the Water Ape greeted Zuo Liang, addressing him as "Senior Brother." He looked at Zuo Liang and smiled, "When I first met you, Senior Brother, you didn't have the cultivation you have today. Times have changed, and countless generations have passed in the mortal world. Dynasties have risen and fallen, which is commonplace. Yet you stand before me again, Senior Brother. Your skills are truly remarkable."

Zuo Liang returned the greeting and said, "It was all thanks to my master's teachings; I dare not take credit for it."

As he spoke, he reminisced about the Great Sage Water Ape, filled with emotion. Years ago, he had the good fortune to become a disciple of the True Man; otherwise, where would he be now but a handful of dust?

The Great Sage of the Water Ape talked a lot with Zuo Liang and the others. They were all old acquaintances, and now that they met again, they had endless things to say.

Finally, it was Zhenjian who reminded them that they should find a quiet room for the Great Sage Water Ape to rest in. Only then did they come to their senses and decide to accompany the Great Sage Water Ape to find a quiet room for him.

The group walked around the quiet room with the Great Sage Water Ape for a long time.

The Water Ape Great Sage chose the same quiet room as the old Heart Boat, which was close to the quiet rooms of Zuo Liang and the others.

Upon seeing this, Zuo Liang immediately told the Great Sage of the Water Ape about the matter of the Heart Boat.

Upon hearing this, the Great Sage of the Water Ape said, "How can there be such a fool? He has a karmic connection with my master, and has even become his disciple, receiving the teachings. Yet he only thinks about showing off in that sea of ​​suffering. How can there be such a stupid person?"

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "The road is under your feet. With such a choice, it is useless for others to persuade him. To tell you the truth, Master has tried to persuade Junior Brother Xinzhou more than once. Even when he was about to leave, Uncle Zhenjian tried to dissuade him, but he insisted on leaving. All the persuasion from others was useless."

The Great Sage of the Water Ape said, "In that case, it is useless for anyone to dissuade him from leaving. Similarly, it is useless for him to go down the mountain and repent if he realizes his mistakes."

Zuo Liang nodded, not saying anything more, but said, "Since you have chosen this quiet room, Junior Brother, you should go and rest. Our quiet rooms are very close to each other, so we can talk after you have rested. At that time, I can introduce you to Senior Brother and Third Junior Brother."

The Great Sage of the Water Ape responded, bowed, and said, "In that case, I will go and rest first. I will visit my senior brother later in the evening. At that time, would you please introduce me to the two senior brothers?"

Zuo Liang nodded with a smile.

(End of this chapter)