In the mountain, the stone monkey knew how to walk, leap, graze on plants, drink from streams, pick mountain flowers, and search for tree fruits. He kept the company of wolves and insects, formed groups with tigers and leopards, made friends with deer and stags, and bonded closely with gibbons. He spent the night under rocky cliffs and roamed in the caves during the day. Truly, as the saying goes, "In the mountains, time is unknown; the cold vanishes, but the years are not counted."
One scorching day, seeking relief from the heat, the stone monkey and his monkey companions gathered under the shade of pine trees to fool around and play. Each of them could be seen:
> Jumping from tree to tree, climbing branches, picking flowers, and finding fruits;
> Throwing pebbles, playing marbles;
> Running to sand nests, building precious pagodas;
> Chasing dragonflies, and catching butterflies;
> Paying homage to the old sky and bowing to the Bodhisattva;
> Pulling creepers and weaving grass;
> Catching lice, biting and pinching;
> Grooming its fur and trimming its nails.
> Pushing and pulling, rubbing and wiping;
> Tugging and tearing, pressing and squeezing;
> Frolicking freely under the shade of the evergreen pine forest,
> and washing themselves in the green waters of the stream.
After playing for a while, the group of monkeys decided to go to the mountain stream for a bath. They saw the stream's water rushing and splashing, resembling rolling melons and surging waves. As the saying goes, "Birds have their language, and beasts have their ways of communication."
The monkeys discussed among themselves, "We don't know where this water comes from. Since we have nothing to do today, let's follow the stream and go upstream to find its source and have some fun!"
With a joyful cry, they all brought their family members, called their siblings, and ran together, climbing the mountain alongside the stream, until they reached the source. There, they found a waterfall spring. It was a spectacular sight:
> Sea breeze ceaseless, riverside moon aglow,
> Cold air parts green peaks, remnant streams bestow.
> Flow murmurs, known as waterfall's show,
> Like hanging curtains, nature's art does flow.
The monkeys were mesmerized by the beauty of the waterfall and enjoyed the refreshing experience of playing in the clear water.
The monkeys clapped their hands. "Wonderful water, wonderful water! It turns out that this place leads directly from the foot of the mountain to the vast sea." They praised and continued, "Whoever has the ability to enter and find the source without harming their body, we will all bow to them as our king."
They shouted this three times in a row when suddenly, a stone monkey leaped out from the crowd and confidently exclaimed, "I'll go in, I'll go in!"
It was indeed him:
Today, his glorious name shines, and fortune comes with the right timing.
Destined to dwell in this place, he is sent to enter the immortal palace as a king.
As they watched, the stone monkey closed his eyes, crouched down, and with a single leap, jumped into the waterfall spring.
The stone monkey opened his eyes and looked up, only to find that there was no water or ripples inside. Instead, there was a clear and bright bridge. He stopped in his tracks, focused his mind, and carefully looked again, realizing that it was an iron plank bridge.
The water flowed through the gaps in the rocks under the bridge and cascaded out, blocking the entrance to the bridge. He then bent down and climbed up to the bridgehead, taking another look. It seemed like a nice home and a cozy spot.
The green moss piled up, forming a blue hue, while white clouds floated like jade, and rays of light shimmered amidst the smoke and mist. The empty window revealed a tranquil room, and the smooth bench appeared adorned with flowers. Dragon pearls hung by the milk cave, and unique flowers adorned the ground in a meandering pattern. Near the stove by the cliff, traces of fire remained, while wine vessels and jars on the table displayed remnants of feasts. The stone seats and stone beds were genuinely adorable, and the stone basins and stone bowls were even more praiseworthy. Moreover, there were bamboo groves, some with one stalk, some with two, and others with three or five plum blossoms. Several pine trees, always accompanied by rain, gave the impression of a genuine residence.
After observing for a while, the stone monkey jumped to the center of the bridge and looked around. Right in the middle, he saw a stone tablet inscribed with prominent regular script characters, which read: "Flower Fruit Mountain - Land of Blessings, Water Curtain Cave - Heaven's Abode."
The stone monkey was thrilled beyond belief. He swiftly turned around and bolted out, then closed his eyes, crouched down, and leaped back into the water, shouting, "What an incredible stroke of luck! What an incredible stroke of luck!"
The other monkeys surrounded him and asked, "What is it like inside? How deep is the water?"
The stone monkey replied, "There is no water! No water at all! It turns out to be an iron plank bridge. On the other side of the bridge is a well-designed and beautifully crafted home."
The monkeys asked, "How do you know it's a home?"
The stone monkey smiled and said, "The water flowing beneath the bridge has washed through the gaps in the stones, hanging down to block the entrance. On the bridge, there are flowers and trees, and it forms a stone house. Inside the house, there are stone nests, stone stoves, stone bowls, stone basins, stone beds, and stone benches. In the middle is a stone tablet inscribed with 'Flower Fruit Mountain - Land of Blessings, Water Curtain Cave - Heaven's Abode.' You know what? This place is perfect for us! It's big enough to fit hundreds and thousands of us, no matter our age. Once we all move in, we won't have to worry about the weather messing with us anymore. Check it out:
> Yo, we find shelter from the wind, no fear of the rain,
> Unafraid of frost and snow, we rise above the pain.
> Thunder won't scare us. We're unshakeable, yo,
> Through smoke and mist, we'll shine and let our talents show.
> Auspicious signs all around, we're blessed, and we're bound,
> Pine and bamboo, thriving, roots deep in the ground.
> Extraordinary flowers, blooming every single day,
> In this world, we're powerful, no one can sway.
> We're united, strong, and ready to face any plight,
> In this home, we're safe, together we'll take flight.
> With nature's grace, we'll keep rising high,
> In this world of ours, we'll reach for the sky.
The monkeys listened and grew excited. They said, "You go first, lead us in, lead us in."
The stone monkey closed his eyes again, crouched down, and jumped inside, calling out, "Follow me, all of you, come in, come in!"
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The daring ones among the monkeys immediately leaped in. In contrast, the timid ones hesitated, scratched their ears, and fretted before eventually mustering the courage to enter. Once over the bridge, they all scrambled for pots, snatched bowls, fought over stoves, and vied for beds. They moved things around, back and forth, displaying their mischievous and unruly nature. There was no moment of tranquility; only when they were exhausted did they finally stop moving things around.
The stone monkey sat upright and said, "Hey, my fellow monkeys, 'Trust is earned through faith. ' Remember how you all said whoever could go in and out would be our king? Well, I've done it multiple times and discovered this amazing place for us to rest comfortably and enjoy our family time. So, why not make me your king?"
The monkeys heard this and immediately prostrated themselves, offering their respect. In an orderly manner, they knelt before him and proclaimed him as their "Thousand-Year Great King."
"Then I’m your handsome monkey king!" The stone monkey ascended to the throne and dropped the "stone" from his name, becoming known as the "Monkey King." There is a poem to commemorate this:
> The fusion of three yangs births all living things,
> The immortal stone, sun, and moon's essence it brings.
> A borrowed egg, transformed into a monkey's might,
> Fulfilling the great Dao, soaring with cosmic flight.
> Using his name, he's paired with magic rare,
> Immortality's promise, a legacy to share.
> Internally observing, the cause is formless and unseen,
> Externally harmonizing, its manifested form is keen.
> Throughout the ages, we're all part of this lineage,
> Kings and sages, freely roam, ruling with courage.
> In this modern age, we carry on the legacy,
> Boundless wisdom and strength, our life's tapestry.
The Monkey King led a group of monkeys, including gibbons, macaques, and horse-faced monkeys, and assigned them roles as officials and assistants. They would roam the Flower Fruit Mountain during the day and lodge at Water Curtain Cave in the evening. They shared a deep bond and did not mingle with flocks of birds or herds of animals. He ruled alone as the king and couldn't be happier. They lived a joyous life together:
In spring, they feasted on various flowers,
In summer, they sought fruits for their livelihood,
In autumn, they harvested yams and chestnuts to enjoy the season,
In winter, they searched for yellow ginseng to extend their years.
The Monkey King lived a carefree and blissful life, never expecting it to last for three or five hundred years. One day, during a joyous banquet with his monkey companions, he suddenly felt sad, and tears rose.
The monkeys quickly bowed and asked, "Why is our king looking sad when we're all having a blast?" The Monkey King replied, "Even in happy times, I have some worries."
The monkeys laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you always crave more. We're here, having fun every day on this blessed land, the immortal mountain, and the divine continent. No qilin or phoenix rules us; no earthly kings hold us down. We're free, living unburdened, soaking up happiness all around. So why stress and frown?"
The Monkey King replied, "Even though we aren’t ruled by earthly kings today, and we aren’t scared of birds and beasts, when we get old, and our strength decreases, we'll face the rule of the Lord of the Underworld. Once we depart from this realm, will we not be reborn, locked in the unending cycle of life and death? Forever denied the joys of heaven and the company of humans?"
Upon hearing these words, the monkeys covered their faces and wept, all contemplating the changes of life with deep concern.
In the group of monkeys, a wise monkey suddenly leaped forward and exclaimed loudly, "If the Great King has such far-sighted thoughts, it truly indicates an enlightened mind. Among the five creatures in this world, only three kinds are not subject to the control of the Lord of the Underworld."
The Monkey King asked, "Which three are they?"
The wise monkey replied, "They are the buddhas, the immortals, and the divine sages. They transcend the cycle of birth and death, achieving immortality and longevity, on par with the heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers."
The Monkey King asked, "Where can I find these three?"
The wise monkey answered, "They reside in the Yama[1] world and ancient caves and immortal mountains."
Upon hearing this, the Monkey King was thrilled and exclaimed, "Tomorrow, I'll say my goodbyes and start the journey, traveling across the land to find three special beings. We'll unlock the secret to eternal life and break free from Lord Yama's hold."
This decision marked a significant turning point for the handsome Monkey King, transforming him into the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
The monkeys cheered and praised him, saying, "Bravo, bravo! Tomorrow, we'll climb the mountain, gather fruits, and prepare a grand feast to bid farewell to our Great King."
The next day, the monkeys set out to gather peaches, exotic fruits, yams, and ginseng from the mountains. They arranged everything neatly on stone tables and benches, creating a feast complete with heavenly wine and divine delicacies. The scene was truly magnificent:
> Golden pellets and cherries, so sweet and divine,
> With a golden hue, they make taste buds shine.
> Fresh longans tender, with skins so thin,
> Fire lychees, ruby red, a flavor to win.
> Juicy green apples in clusters they grow,
> Yellow plums with leaves, a delightful show.
> Rabbit-head pears and jujubes so sweet,
> Quenching our thirst, making life complete.
> Peaches and apricots, fragrant and ripe,
> Like precious gems, a heavenly hype.
> Crisp plums and bayberries, sour and bright,
> Refreshing like butter, a taste just right.
> Watermelons with seeds, red and so big,
> Yellow-skinned persimmons, a sweet gig.
> Pomegranates burst with red pearls divine,
> Chestnuts reveal golden flesh, oh so fine.
> Walnuts and ginkgo nuts, perfect with tea,
> Grapes and coconuts, wine for you and me.
> Hazelnuts, pine nuts, and apples galore,
> Tangerines, sugarcane, and kumquats to explore.
> Mountain yams cooked, and ginseng so prime,
> Fuling and Coix seeds in a pot, a broth sublime.
> Even with delicacies from the human domain,
> Nothing compares to the feast we attain.
The banquet was filled with a variety of delicious fruits and foods, bringing joy to the hearts of the monkeys.
The Monkey King sat on the high seat while the other monkeys lined up in an orderly manner below, taking turns to offer wine, flowers, and fruits. They partied all day long.
The next day, the Monkey King got up early and said, "My fellows, let's gather some dry pine branches and make a raft. Find a bamboo pole as a rudder and pack some fruits. I'm going on an adventure."
With the raft set, he boldly set sail on the open sea, riding the winds, heading straight for the mysterious land of the Southern Peaks. On this journey, he aimed to find the path to eternal life, determined to achieve greatness. This quest was truly epic:
> Yo, born under the heavens, I'm the monkey divine,
> Ascending the mountains, I ride the heavenly winds, I shine.
> Across the seas, I seek the path of the divine,
> Determined, focused, building greatness with every rhyme.
>
> Destiny and fate guide my chosen way,
> No worries, no fears, I'll rise like a dragon someday.
> I know my time will come, I feel it in my soul,
> Breaking through all barriers, I'll achieve my ultimate goal.
>
> Got my share, got my destiny, leaving worldly ties behind,
> I vow to reach the peak, a master of my own mind.
> No doubts, no fears, I'll find the path divine,
> When I meet that true soulmate, our spirits will align.
>
> Destiny and fate guide my chosen way,
> No worries, no fears, I'll rise like a dragon someday.
> I know my time will come, I feel it in my soul,
> Breaking through all barriers, I'll achieve my ultimate goal.
>
> I sense it's close, that kindred spirit's near,
> Unraveling the mysteries, the secrets will be clear.
> In every way, I'll prove my worth, unleash the power strong,
> I'll grasp the essence of it all, the wisdom of the throng.
> Destiny and fate guide my chosen way,
>
> No worries, no fears, I'll rise like a dragon someday.
> I know my time will come, I feel it in my soul,
> Breaking through all barriers, I'll achieve my ultimate goal.
> So listen up, my friends, I've learned the ancient ways,
>
> In every verse, I'll show you how,
> I'll lead you through the maze.
> The source of all, I'll lay it bare, the wisdom, the divine,
> With open heart and open mind, we'll soar, we'll intertwine.
The Monkey King embarked on his brave journey with high hopes and determination, seeking the path to immortality and spiritual enlightenment.
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[1] Yama, also known as Yanluo or King Yama, is a significant figure in various Asian mythologies and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Chinese folk beliefs. Yama is regarded as the ruler of the afterlife and is responsible for judging the souls of the deceased, determining their fates, and assigning them to different realms or reincarnation.