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

Maria Loginova:

The significance of Monkey being given the name Sun Wukong, meaning “Wake-to-Vacuity” can be due to his journey towards wisdom. Wake to Vacuity can be defined as beginning a journey to empty the illusion that one is separate from everyone else. To be exposed to emptiness is to open the self to the truth; that people are all connected. In order for Monkey to achieve enlightenment, he must combat the six perfections. One of the six perfections, wisdom is important to Monkey because to be wise is not only to be smart but understand what will make the journey to enlightenment successful. On page 434, the immortal youth asked Monkey, “Are you a seeker of the Way?”, this highlights the importance of wisdom in attaining enlightenment and surpassing emptiness as to be a seeker is to actively learn and try to understand. Monkey needs to experience wisdom in not only learning about the Daoist ways but also learning what the deeper meaning to his journey is. For example, on page 433, the woodcutter said “What a bonehead fellow you are!… I have just finished telling you these things, and you still don’t understand. If I go with you, won’t I be neglecting my livelihood? And who will take care of my mother?…” This shows that Monkey needs to find wisdom within himself and learn from the people around him. Monkey expressed gratitude towards the woodcutter who told Monkey about his life and the commitments he has to others. Monkey needs to think about the paradox that he in fact left the other monkeys behind without a king.
Nicole Mazza:

Great response Maria! I like how you incorporated the meaning of sun wukongs name into the dialogue between him and the woodcutter. I agree that monkey is in search for wisdom. He spends a lot of time on his journey looking for answers on ways to find eternal life. I also realize that monkey is in search of something deeper than eternal life, a life with meaning. His thirst for wisdom derives from his emptiness in his current life. According to the text you referred to, it seems that monkey becomes persistent and more optimistic as his journey continues regardless of any negative comments given by the wood cutter. Monkey realizes there has to be more to life than what he already has lived. One part of the story stood out to me where it explains monkeys journey. “ The monkey king searched diligently for the way of immortality, but he had no chance of meeting it” page 431. This was interesting to me because it can be interpreted in different ways. Monkey could’ve had no way of meeting immortality because he had yet to find someone to explain the ways of eternal life, or immortality can be seen as a way to fulfill his emptiness and he felt that he’d never find it. I Also believe monkey looks for deeper meaning to take into a potential eternal life. When being asked what his surname was he replies “i have no xing. If a man rebukes me, i am not offended; if he hits me, i am not angered…” Page 435. This was interesting due to it being similar to Buddhist religion where they practice this kind of peace for their own deeper searching within themselves.

Tara Lewkowicz:

Nicole, I liked your response however I had a different perspective with Monkey’s encounter with the woodcutter. I thought that what the woodcutter was saying to Monkey was indeed negative, however Monkey could have taken that knowledge and gained wisdom from it. He could have had a small look at the life of someone who actually is discontent and has valid reasons to feel that way. Monkey was given the name Sun Wukong which translates to “ Wake to Vacuity”. Vacuity to me means emptiness or the lack of content. Monkey’s journey towards wisdom intertwines with the thought of him having to wake up from “vacuity”. He should learn to be content with the knowledge he has discovered, and life he has lived. On page 428 Monkey was explaining to the other Monkeys why he was not content, in which he said “ If we die, shall we not have lived in vain, not being able to rank forever among the Heavenly beings?” Monkey felt that although their lives on the immortal mountain was nice, he wanted to search for more. Monkey can potentially overcome this feeling of discontent by achieving one of the six perfections which is wisdom. Wisdom would allow Monkey to realize the beauty he has in his life, and learn from and take in the things he discovers through his journey. While on his journey, Monkey discovers a woodcutter who is singing a tune. Monkey immediately assumed he was immortal but was later told on page 433 “ the tune of that lyric is named ‘ A Court Full of Blossoms,’ and it was taught to me by an immortal, a neighbor of mine. He saw that I had to struggle to make a living and that my days were full of worries: so he told me to recite the poem whenever I was troubled.” Monkey was unaware of the feeling of struggle to make a living and having to worry about surviving each day. Monkey would obtain wisdom from understanding the woodcutters life and realizing that his life is much more fulfilling than he thinks it is.