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

Monkey embarks on a journey to find immortality by any means necessary. This quest goes on from one continent to another for about ten years. This shows what kind of patience he has for what he’s doing to get there in the process. His struggle to meet the master was a testament to his patience. Once he finally meets the the master he gave him the name and title that only validated what the Monkey King was feeling, that emptiness. Wukong (Wake-to-Vacuity) was now his name. He gave up a lifestyle where there was nothing wrong to be able to fill void that he felt inside by going on this new adventure. “He stared at the place for a long time but dared not knock. Instead, he jumped onto the branch of a pine tree, picked a few pine seeds and ate them, and began to play.” Nothing was stopping him from knocking the door when he finally reached his destination after all these years, but he took his time and let itself work things out. “If a man rebukes me, I am not offended; if he hits me, I am not angered. In fact, I simply repay him with a ceremonial greeting and that’s all.” All this patience combined with the emptiness, there is no room for anger or ill intent in his heart, just the clarity he seeks.

– Onu Mezbah

I completely agree with my classmate, I think that patience is one of the biggest themes in this story and one of the most distinct characteristics in Monkey.  Of course one can argue that Monkey was in the search of wisdom and meaning, it is very clear when he says, “…If we die, shall we not have lived in vain, not being able to rank forever among the Heavenly beings?.”  It is also valid to state that the journey is packed with action but none of that would have happened if Monkey wasn’t relentless and had a lot of patience.  Before starting his journey Monkey said, “Tomorrow I shall take leave of you all and go down the mountain.   Even if I have to wander with the clouds to the corners of the sea or journey to the distant edges of Heaven”  It is extremely clear that he knew it was going to be an extensive journey but he embraced it and saw it in a very positive manner.  Another big sign of resilience and patience is when monkey made another raft, to cross another ocean in order to complete his mission.  

– Joaquin Azcue

As my classmates mentioned, patience was a virtue for Monkey. He wanted to find his true purpose in life. Not only is he determined but he fulfills the qualities of a leader as well. We see in Chapter 1 when he becomes the king of monkeys after being courageous enough to lead his tribe to their new home. After being on the throne for hundreds of years, he commences a journey to find immortality. This journey lasts for almost 10 years. This might seem as an impossible task, but not for Monkey. He says, “Nothing in this world is difficult, but thinking makes it seem so. Where there is true will, there is always a way.” After the Patriarch gave Monkey king the name, “Wu-k’ung” (Wake-to-vacuity), the Monkey king was ecstatic jumping around joyfully. He was ultimately given this name because his rank fell upon the tenth generation of the Patriarch’s 12 characters. “If you want to have a future, don’t do anything with no future in it.” This statement by Monkey in my opinion was one of the most influential quotes ever said. His forbearance and patience is what got him to where he is today. And that is one of the most important virtues.

-Farhan Zaman