great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

Tripitaka is on the Heroic Journey throughout Journey to the West. Tripitaka crosses the threshold when he meets an old woman after the encounter with the burglars. The old woman, who turned out to be Bodhisattva Kuan-yin, gave Tripitaka a cap and a coat. She said to him, “If he disobeys you, say the spell, and he’ll give you no more trouble and never dare to leave you.” By accepting her gifts, Tripitaka also accepts the journey he is on. Monkey returns to Tripitaka shortly after. Tripitaka admits to Monkey, “I hadn’t the heart to go on, and was just sitting here waiting for you.” Tripitaka realizes he could not go back to the ordinary world, which is a life without Monkey. In addition, Tripitaka realizes he could not continue his journey without Monkey by his side. Tripitaka crossed the threshold since he could not turn back and had to finish the journey.

-Joseph Morreale

In the heroic journey, stage two, Monkey gets his call to adventure. He goes out to look for immortality and it takes him almost 8 years before getting to his destination. Before leaving to his “adventure” Monkey leaves everything behind and all the other Monkeys. This is an act of heroism because sometimes you have to go away and do whats right for yourself in order to guide your people better. The cause of the trip was because Monkey was agonized about the future , mainly afraid of the afterlife as well as the other monkeys . The other monkeys around him explain to him about the immortals beyond the mountain. In Monkey’s words, “Tomorrow I shall take leave of you all and go down the mountain.” As their leader, the Monkey king takes it upon himself to go out and search for the immortals.

-Bintou Samura

According to the Monkey he was cast out of heaven by Buddha for causing trouble. It’s been 500 years and all the while he was trapped under the mountain Buddha brought upon him. Although the Monkey did make the title of the Great Sage, he must once again prove himself to Buddha so he can find salvation. So how was he going to do that? The Monkey had to become the disciple of a priest, by the name of Tripitaka and follow/protect him on his journey to India for Scriptures. Now after the “adventurous” stage of the Money’s journey, he finds himself in many stages after. Such as “trials”, where he faces a challenge. This challenge is the Monkey having to humble himself and not be so ill-tempered. For instance, whilst on the road to India, Tripitaka and the Monkey find themselves in danger. The first time is with a tiger, who the Monkey quickly kills, impressing the priest. However, their second encounter is with robbers whom the Monkey kills as well. This time Tripitaka is angered by the Monkey actions saying “…if now that you have repented and become a priest you go on behaving as in old days, you can’t come with me to India. You’ve made a very bad start.” Highly offended the Monkey retorts and leaves Tripitaka behind. We are then introduced to the Dragon King of the Eastern Ocean, where he basically tells the Monkey “Great Sage, you must learn to control yourself and submit to the will of others, if you are not to spoil all your chances.” Realizing what he’s done the Monkey says that he will go back.

-Keauna