Category Archives: Group Work

Monkey Chapter 12-14

Group Work, Uncategorized

Journey to the West, Monkey (translated by Arthur Waley)
Chapter 12-14

Taehyun Nam, Kalsang Dorji, Kai Bakari

“The cassock…would be valuable to some people and quite the reverse to others; it would cost some people a lot of money, and others none at all.” -Kuan-yin pg 114

“Look at him! He strides forward, crying, ‘Cursed creature stand your ground!’ The tiger crouched in the dust and dared not budge. Down came the cudgel on its head. The earth was spattered with its blood.” -Monkey pg 128

“The one thing Monkey had never been able to bear was to be scolded, and when Tripitaka began to lecture him like this, he flared up at once and cried, ‘All right! I’ll give up being a priest, and won’t go with you to India. You needn’t go on at me any more. I’m off!’” -Monkey pg 133

The last two quotes are very important because they show the adolescent behavior of Monkey. These quotes show that Monkey is quickly provoked and does take criticism well. These quotes will be instrumental in showing Monkey’s growth as an individual and a priest.

monkey king 5-9

Group Work

David Yang,Dukhwa Seo, Sarah neher, annelise

Ch7

I’ll have a wager with you,’ said Buddha.’ If you are really so clever,jump off the palm of my right hand. If you succeed, I’ll tel the Jade Emperor to come and live with me in the Western Paradise, and you shall have his throne without further ado.But if you fail, you shall go back to earth do penance  there for many a kalpa before you come to again with your talk, (pg 75)

The quote significance is that it meant to show the monkey king is not the mightiest of them all. It also the start of where he lost his bet and is trapped under the five elemental mountain.

 

Group Work

Alyssa Melfi, Vitaliy Koretskyy, Jasmine Herrera

Chapters 9-11

“Learn when young, act when grown.” (85, Waley)

“What is said on the road is heard in the grass.” (96, Waley)

“.. it was already entered in the Book of Fate that he was to be beheaded… we shall now submit him, to the Wheel of Incarnation.” (106, Waley)

These quotes seem to exaggerate the reoccurring theme of the Buddhist religion throughout the text.  The first quote portrays how the monk approaches enlightenment as he ages.  The second quote portrays the vibration of words flowing through the grass, showing the relationship between humans and nature. The third quote portrays the importance of the scriptures as the First Judge suggests the beheading of the dragon according to the Book of Fate. Also, the reference to incarnation is another reference to the Buddhist religion.

 

Chapters 1-4

Group Work

Julia-Zoe Hung, Pablo Vasquez, Arbnore Kukaj, Douglas Goon

“‘It is true,’ said the Monkey King, ‘that to-day I am not answerable to the law of any human king, nor need I fear the menace of any beast or bird. But the time will come when I shall grow old and weak. Yama, King of Death, is secretly waiting to destroy me. Is there no way by which, instead of being born again on earth, I might live forever among the people of the sky?'” (pg. 14 translation by Waley)

“‘Though we are not subject to the laws of man today, nor need we be threatened by the rule of any bird of beast, old age and physical decay in the future will disclose the secret sovereignty of Yama, King of the Underworld. If we die, shall we not have lived in vain, not being able to rank forever among the heavenly beings?'” (pg. 73 translation by Yu)

The two quotes above come from different translations of the the story of the Monkey King. While the first quote speaks to Monkey’s ambition and pride, the latter quote is more developed. Yu’s translations demonstrates how Monkey cares for his reputation and making a name for himself. He talks about avoiding living a vain life and being established as a ruler in heaven. From this, we, the readers, can see how Monkey’s actions had more meaning and reasoning behind it.