It is said that the Ancestor Master called upon the disciples in the gathering hall to expound on the Great Dao.
The disciples from the Three Stars Immortal Cave gathered, took their seats, and listened to the Ancestor Master lecture on the scriptures of the Buddha and Confucianism.
Jiang Yuan sat at the head of the class, and the other disciples respected and feared him, none dared to oppose him.
In the class, the second seat was occupied by the Monkey, who was quite clever, sitting at the end of the class.
Jiang Yuan glanced at the Monkey.
With his profound magical powers, he could see that the Monkey was light and agile, having shed much of its karmic burden over the years.
This Monkey had certainly stabilized its nature, unlike the other disciples of the Immortal Cave, who lacked the Monkey's temperament.
This Monkey's heart towards the Dao was not inferior to that of others in the past.
The Ancestor Master saw the disciples gathered and began to expound on the Great Dao, discussing the truths of the scriptures from the three schools: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.
Jiang Yuan listened to the wonderful sounds, feeling that both his body and mind were purified.
He thought the Ancestor Master's magical powers were profound, and the myriad wonderful methods flowed from his mouth, enchanting all who listened, making them feel as if they were intoxicated by the teachings.
However, the other disciples were not entirely the same.
When the Ancestor Master began to lecture on the Great Dao, if the disciples focused their minds, they could absorb the teachings; but if their hearts were restless, no matter how they listened, they could not take it in.
There is a saying: "When the heart arises, various demons arise; when the heart extinguishes, various demons extinguish."
When the demonic obstacles arise, the heart is not at peace.
If the demonic obstacles are strong, disasters will surely follow, and the six thieves will flourish.
Thus, "the eyes see joy, the ears hear anger, the nose smells love, the tongue tastes thoughts, the mind perceives desires, and the body is inherently worried," which nourishes the two spirits and obscures the primordial spirit.
The disciples also had demonic obstacles in their hearts.
Those who had learned the Dao were worried they could not compare to others, while those who had not learned the Dao pondered when they would learn it.
How could those who sought their own lives not strive to learn the Dao?
Halfway through the lecture, the Ancestor Master suddenly saw Sun Wukong scratching his ears and cheeks, smiling broadly, and then dancing with joy, which caused the other disciples to resent him greatly, secretly cursing him as a crude and strange creature.
Jiang Yuan looked over and understood that this Monkey had shed its karmic burdens and was at peace in its heart, thus it was joyful to hear the wonderful sounds.
The Ancestor Master noticed and pointed at Sun Wukong, asking, "Wukong, why are you behaving this way in class? Why aren't you listening to my lecture?"
Sun Wukong stepped out of the class and bowed, saying, "Master, do not blame me! It is because I have just encountered the wonderful sounds, and upon hearing the marvelous parts, I could not contain my joy and unconsciously leaped about. I hope Master will forgive me!"
The Ancestor Master, with his divine sight, understood the reason and asked, "You have just heard the wonderful sounds, which is not a crime. Let me ask you, how long have you been under my tutelage?"
Wukong replied, "Master, I am rather ignorant and do not recognize the passage of time. I only remember there is a mountain behind the one I live in, where there is a peach tree that bears fruit once a year. I do not know if anyone tends to the peach tree, but I see the people in the mountains are simple and do not dare to take much, only taking a little to fill my belly. It has been about six or seven years now."
The Ancestor Master said, "Since it has been six or seven years, now that you recognize the wonderful sounds, I will pass on a method to you. What do you wish to learn?"
Wukong joyfully replied, "Just let Master teach me; I will surely learn some Dao energy."
Upon hearing this, the Ancestor Master looked at Jiang Yuan and felt that this Monkey was indeed similar to him.
He said, "In the Dao, there are three hundred and sixty side paths. If I teach you, I will teach you the methods of the 'Art' character. How does that sound?"
Wukong asked, "Master, what do you mean by that?"
The Ancestor Master explained, "The methods of the 'Art' character involve inviting immortals and asking for divination, seeking good fortune and avoiding calamity. Learning this can help you evade three disasters and misfortunes, keeping them at bay."
Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks, saying, "Master, I am an honest one and do not understand the methods within. But please enlighten me, can this kind of method lead to immortality?"
The Ancestor Master shook his head, saying, "No, no!"
Wukong exclaimed, "Not learning, not learning!"
The Ancestor Master asked again, "Then, I will teach you the methods of the 'Flow' character. This method encompasses the principles of various schools."
Wukong asked again, "Can this lead to immortality?"
The Ancestor Master shook his head again, "No, it is like 'a pillar set in a wall.'"
Wukong, anxious, scratched his ears and cheeks, asking, "Master, what do you mean by a pillar set in a wall?"
The Ancestor Master explained, "When people build a house, if they want it to be sturdy, they must set a pillar between the walls. However, if one day the grand structure collapses, it will surely rot; this is what is meant by a pillar set in a wall."
Wukong understood and waved his hand, saying, "According to Master, this method is not lasting either. Not learning, not learning!"
The Ancestor Master said, "You are quite greedy. There are also the methods of the 'Quiet' character and the 'Moving' character. Do you wish to learn? If I teach you, I will teach you both together."
Wukong joyfully asked, "Master, what do you mean by that?"
The Ancestor Master explained, "Listen carefully, the methods of the 'Quiet' character involve conserving grain and guarding the harvest, being tranquil and non-action, meditating and sitting in Zen, refraining from speech and observing fasting, whether through sleeping or standing, and entering a meditative state. The methods of the 'Moving' character involve various alchemical processes, using square cauldrons, burning straw and forging, refining red lead, and consuming various substances. If you wish to learn them all, I will teach you together."
Wukong listened but was not moved, asking, "Master, can this lead to immortality?"
The Ancestor Master shook his head, saying, "To seek immortality in this way is like 'fishing for the moon in the water.'"
Wukong asked, "What does it mean to fish for the moon in the water?"
The Ancestor Master replied, "The moon is in the vast sky, and its reflection is in the water; you can see it but cannot catch it, hence it is called 'fishing for the moon in the water.'"
Upon hearing this, Wukong shook his head, saying, "Not learning, not learning!"
Jiang Yuan smiled at this, realizing that this Monkey was indeed steadfast in its heart, wholeheartedly seeking immortality, while the Ancestor Master taught him various side paths, yet he remained unmoved.
The Ancestor Master, hearing Wukong's words, took a ruler and pointed at Wukong, rising from the platform and walking to the class, saying, "Monkey! You do not wish to learn this or that, what do you intend to do?"
After saying this, the Ancestor Master struck Wukong three times, then turned his back and walked to Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan understood and helped the Ancestor Master down to the Yao Platform.
The Ancestor Master and Jiang Yuan walked to the middle door and closed it, yet did not continue the lecture.
The crowd in the class was astonished and angry, voicing their grievances, saying, "You uncultured monkey! The Master imparts the Dao to you, which is your karmic connection. You refuse to learn this and that, angering the Master; how are we to proceed?"
The others were not in agreement; those who had learned the Dao were restless in their hearts, looking down on Wukong with disdain.
Those who had not learned the Dao felt jealousy and harbored ill intentions.
Wukong was not angry, wearing a smile, but secretly unraveled the mystery of the Master’s actions.
He thought that the Master struck him three times to teach him to maintain his heart during the third watch of the night.
The Ancestor Master turned his back and closed the middle door, thus instructing him to take a small path to the back of the platform, so as not to let others know, and to approach the Senior Brother first, as he was to be taught the secret method of attaining immortality.
…
In the quiet room.
Jiang Yuan served the Ancestor Master upon his return, and being a perceptive one, he understood the mystery behind the Master’s actions.
He said, "Master, why did you cease imparting the Dao and instead included the disciple?"
The Ancestor Master sat cross-legged on the mat, smiling, and said, "Child, you should focus on tempering his nature. If you can calm his heart, let him be; if he cannot, then just call upon him to be tempered well."
Jiang Yuan could only comply, bowing and saying, "Master, Wukong's heart nature today is indeed exceptional. However, he is a being born of heaven and earth. If he were to attain the Dao, it might lead to a reversal of roles, resulting in disaster."
The Ancestor Master said, "Child, remember, the Dao is at your feet. You and I advise him; if he does not listen, then let it be."
(End of Chapter)