Sun Wukong (Journey to the West)

From The Character Database
Sun Wukong (Journey to the West)
Son Wukong-min.jpg

Vital statistics
Names Sun Wukong, Suen Ng-hung, Son Gokū, Son Oh Gong, Sun Ngō͘-Khong, Tôn Ngộ Không, Sung Ghokong, Sung Gokhong Sun Ngokong, Wu Khone, Sun Gokong, Shí Hóu (石猴)

Měi Hóuwáng (美猴王): Translating to "Handsome Monkey-King,"

Bìmǎwēn (弼馬溫): "Keeper of the Heavenly Horses,"

Qítiān Dàshèng (齊天大聖): "The Great Sage, Heaven's Equal," Xíngzhě (行者): "ascetic,"

Dòu-zhànshèng-fó (鬥戰勝佛): "Victorious Fighting Buddha,"

Língmíng-shí-hóu (靈明石猴): "Intelligent Stone Monkey,"

Sūn Zhǎnglǎo (孫長老),

Kâu-chê-thian (猴齊天) "Monkey, Equal of Heaven.", Maa lau zing (馬騮精) "Monkey Imp

Gender Male
Race Monkey
Occupation Monkey King
Origin Journey to the West (Chinese: 西遊記; pinyin: Xīyóu Jì) 1592 [1]
Alignment Mixed
Age Over 900
Created By Wu Cheng'en (traditional Chinese: 吳承恩; simplified Chinese: 吴承恩; pinyin: Wú Chéng'ēn; courtesy name Ruzhong (汝忠))
Height 1.3m (4 ft 3 in)
Weight Not Stated

Sun Wukong (Chinese: 孫悟空, pronounced [swə́n ûkʰʊ́ŋ]), commonly known as the Monkey King, is a prominent figure in both literature and religion, most famously appearing as one of the central characters in the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West. In the novel, Sun Wukong is a monkey born from a stone who gains supernatural powers through Taoist practices. After rebelling against heaven, he is imprisoned beneath a mountain by the Buddha. Five hundred years later, he joins the monk Tang Sanzang, who rides the White Dragon Horse, along with two other disciples, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, on a quest to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India, referred to as the West or Western Paradise, the realm of Buddha and his followers.

Sun Wukong is endowed with numerous abilities. He possesses immense strength, able to carry two heavenly mountains on his shoulders while running at the speed of a meteor. He is exceptionally fast, capable of traveling 108,000 li (54,000 km, 34,000 mi) in a single somersault. He has a remarkable memory, able to recall every monkey ever born, fulfilling his duty as king of the monkeys to protect them. He also masters the 72 Earthly Transformations, granting him access to 72 unique powers, including shape-shifting into animals and objects. As a skilled warrior, he can defeat the mightiest of heaven's fighters. His hair has magical properties, allowing it to transform into various weapons, animals, or even copies of himself. Additionally, he can manipulate the weather to some extent, freeze people in place, and turn invisible.

The powers exhibited by Wukong and other characters were often perceived as "magic" by readers of Journey to the West, regardless of the diverse religious traditions that influenced them or their varied functions, and were frequently translated in this way in non-Chinese editions of the book.

History

The Monkey King is one of the most enduring characters in Chinese literature and has a complex and debated background, influenced by various religious concepts. His inspiration may have come from a mix of different sources.

One source may be the ways gibbons were revered in the Chinese Chu kingdom (700–223 BC) and the various legends about gibbons and monkeys in Chu and its successor states. These legends and religious practices, combined with Taoist teachings from all five branches of traditional Taoism, contributed to the stories and artistic representations of the Monkey King that emerged during the Han dynasty.

Some suggest that Sun Wukong's association with Xuanzang is linked to Xuanzang's first disciple, Shi Pantuo [zh]. Hu Shih first proposed that Wu Cheng'en may have drawn inspiration from the Hindu deity Hanuman, from the Ramayana, in his depiction of the Monkey King. However, others, like Lu Xun, argue that there is no evidence of the Ramayana being translated into Chinese or being accessible to Wu Cheng'en. Lu Xun instead pointed to the 9th-century Chinese deity Wuzhiqi, who appears as a sibling of Sun Wukong in earlier Yuan Dynasty stories, as a likely inspiration. Anthony C. Yu, in his unabridged translation of Journey to the West, notes that Wuzhiqi "has provided many scholars with a prototype of Sun Wukong" and suggests the author of Journey had "certainly" read about Wuzhiqi.

Sun Wukong may also have been influenced by local folk religions from Fuzhou province, where monkey gods were venerated long before the novel's creation. This includes the three Monkey Saints of Lin Shui Palace: Dan Xia Da Sheng (丹霞大聖), the Red Face Monkey Sage; Tong Tian Da Sheng (通天大聖), the Black Face Monkey Sage; and Shuang Shuang San Lang (爽爽三聖), the White Face Monkey Sage. These were once fiends subdued by the goddess Chen Jinggu, the Empress Lin Shui. In Fuzhou, the two main religions practiced are Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism, often observed simultaneously. However, the roots of local religions predate the institutionalization of these traditions.

These various religions contained elements such as gods and doctrines from different provincial folk religions and cultures, such as totem worship and traditional legends. Although there are mainly two main religions in China, since the country is so large, the folk stories of cities and provinces vary with their own myths about different deities. Sun Wukong's religious status in Buddhism is often denied by Buddhist monks, both Chinese and non-Chinese, but is warmly welcomed by the general public, so much so that his name has spread around the world and become a cultural icon.

Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, has numerous names and titles reflecting his character, roles, and attributes throughout Journey to the West. Each name or title captures a unique aspect of his personality, powers, or story:

  1. Shí Hóu (石猴): Meaning "Stone Monkey," this name reflects Sun Wukong's origin as a monkey born from a sphere of rock on the Flower-Fruit Mountain after millennia of incubation.
  2. Měi Hóuwáng (美猴王): Translating to "Handsome Monkey-King," this title plays on Wukong's appearance and character. The term "Měi" means "beautiful, handsome, pretty" and also "pleased with oneself," indicating his ego. "Hóu" (monkey) highlights his mischievous and playful nature.
  3. Sūn Wùkōng (孫悟空): This name, given by his first master, Patriarch Bodhi, has a dual meaning. "Sūn" (孫) is a pun related to the word for "monkey" (猻) and also became the surname of his monkey tribe. "Wùkōng" translates to "awakened to emptiness" or "aware of vacuity," reflecting his spiritual journey and enlightenment.
  4. Bìmǎwēn (弼馬溫): As "Keeper of the Heavenly Horses," this title is a pun on a stable boy's role and also a joke, as the job was lowly, though Sun Wukong believed it to be important. After realizing the deception, he angrily quit, and the title was used to mock him.
  5. Qítiān Dàshèng (齊天大聖): Meaning "The Great Sage, Heaven's Equal," this self-adopted title symbolizes his desire to be recognized as an equal to the gods. Though it originally had no power, the Jade Emperor later granted him the title with the responsibility to guard the Heavenly Peach Garden.
  6. Xíngzhě (行者): Meaning "ascetic," this name reflects Sun Wukong's role as a wandering monk or servant to Tang Sanzang. In Japanese, it is pronounced as "gyōja," leading to the name Son-gyōja.
  7. Dòu-zhànshèng-fó (鬥戰勝佛): Translated as "Victorious Fighting Buddha," this title was bestowed upon him after achieving Buddhahood at the end of his journey, recognizing his strength and spiritual enlightenment.
  8. Língmíng-shí-hóu (靈明石猴): Meaning "Intelligent Stone Monkey," this title identifies Wukong as one of the four spiritual primates that transcend the ten categories of beings in the universe. His peers include the Six-Eared Macaque, the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey, and the Long-Armed Ape Monkey.
  9. Sūn Zhǎnglǎo (孫長老): An honorific title for a monk, used as a sign of respect.
  • Kâu-chê-thian (猴齊天) in Minnan (Taiwan): "Monkey, Equal of Heaven."
  • Maa lau zing (馬騮精) in Cantonese (Hong Kong and Guangdong): "Monkey Imp," a derogatory nickname used by his enemies.

Biography

In Journey to the West, the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, is born from a magical stone located atop the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. The stone absorbs the energies of both heaven (yang) and earth (yin), and according to Taoist philosophy, these forces combine to give life. The stone eventually develops a magic womb, which bursts open to produce a stone egg the size of a ball. When the wind blows on the egg, it transforms into the stone monkey. As he opens his eyes, two beams of golden light shoot toward the Jade Palace, startling the Jade Emperor, who sends officers to investigate. They report back that the light fades as the stone monkey eats and drinks, so the Jade Emperor dismisses him as unremarkable.

On the mountain, the stone monkey joins a group of other wild monkeys. After playing, they regularly bathe in a stream and one day decide to find its source. They climb to a waterfall and declare that whoever passes through it and finds the source will be their king. The stone monkey volunteers, jumps through the waterfall, and finds a cave behind it. He persuades the other monkeys to join him, and they make it their home. Remembering their earlier declaration, they crown him their king, and he names himself the Handsome Monkey King (美猴王). His joy, however, is short-lived. When an older monkey friend dies, the Monkey King becomes distressed and decides to search for an Immortal who can teach him how to achieve immortality and escape death.

Setting out on a self-made raft, he comes ashore and continues on foot. Humans, scared by his appearance, flee at the sight of him. He takes some clothes left out to dry and travels incognito. In his travels, he witnesses human degeneracy and vice, which further motivates him to find a way to overcome death. In a forest, he meets a woodcutter singing a song taught by an Immortal who lives nearby. Following the lead, the Monkey King finds a temple where Puti Zushi, a magical Taoist martial artist, resides. Although initially turned away, he remains outside for months. Impressed by his persistence, Puti Zushi accepts him as a student, giving him the name "Sun Wukong" and teaching him advanced Taoist practices, including the Way of Immortality. He also advises Sun Wukong never to show off his skills unnecessarily, as it may lead to trouble.

Returning home, Sun Wukong learns that a demon called the Demon King of Confusion has been enslaving the monkeys of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. He defeats the demon and his minions, freeing his fellow monkeys. To arm his subjects, he brings back the entire weapon cache of a nearby country but struggles to find a weapon suitable for himself. Hearing that the Dragon Kings possess many treasures, he visits the palace of the Dragon King Ao Guang in the ocean. Despite being turned away at first, Sun Wukong insists on meeting the Dragon King, who eventually agrees to see him.

Realizing Sun Wukong's formidable nature, the Dragon King offers several weapons, but none satisfy the Monkey King. Finally, Sun Wukong acquires the golden-banded staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang (如意金箍棒), a treasure of Ao Guang used to stabilize the Four Seas. Sun Wukong is the only one powerful enough to wield this staff, which can change size, elongate, fly, and attack according to his will. When not in use, he shrinks it to the size of a sewing needle and stores it in his ear. Additionally, Sun Wukong convinces the Dragon King to provide him with regal attire: a golden chain mail shirt, a phoenix-feather cap, and cloud-walking boots.

After returning to his mountain, Sun Wukong showcases his new weapon, drawing the attention of other powerful creatures who seek to ally with him. He forms the Seven Sages fraternity with the Bull Demon King, Saurian Demon King, Roc Demon King, Lion Spirit King, Macaque Spirit King, and Snub-Nosed Monkey Spirit King.

Meanwhile, after defying Hell’s attempt to collect his soul by erasing his name and the names of all the monkeys he knows from the Book of Life and Death, the kings of the underworld report him to the Jade Emperor. Despite the heavenly army's attempts, including efforts to erase him from existence, they ultimately fail to subdue Sun Wukong.

Hoping to control Sun Wukong, the Jade Emperor invites him to Heaven, offering him a position as "Protector of the Horses," which is merely a glorified title for a stable boy—the lowest job in Heaven. Sun Wukong initially believes he is being honored, but upon discovering the truth, he releases the Cloud Horses from the stables and returns to his kingdom, declaring himself "The Great Sage, Heaven's Equal." The Jade Emperor reluctantly acknowledges this title after being advised by Gold Star to avoid military conflict, fearing it would damage Heaven's reputation if they failed to defeat Sun Wukong. Instead, the Jade Emperor agrees to treat him like a pet to pacify him.

Sun Wukong, suspicious but intrigued, accepts a new position as "Guardian of the Heavenly Peach Garden," which suits his love for peaches. However, when he learns that all the important deities have been invited to a royal banquet except for him, he becomes enraged. In defiance, he sneaks into the banquet, eats the food, drinks the royal wine, and, while inebriated, roams the unguarded levels of the heavenly palace. There, he consumes Laozi's Pills of Immortality, Xi Wangmu's Peaches of Immortality, drinks more royal wine, and escapes back to his kingdom.

Enraged by this defiance, the Jade Emperor decides to mobilize his forces against Sun Wukong. The Monkey King, with his martial skills and quick wit, defeats Heaven's 100,000 celestial warriors, the 28 constellations, Nezha, and the Four Heavenly Kings. Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Mercy, arrives with her disciple Muzha to confront him, but Muzha is defeated. Guanyin then suggests sending the Jade Emperor's nephew, Erlang Shen, who proves to be an even match for Sun Wukong. After a fierce battle involving shapeshifting and trickery, Laozi intervenes by throwing his Diamond Jade Ring at Sun Wukong, knocking him unconscious and allowing Erlang to capture him.

After several failed attempts at execution, Sun Wukong is placed in Laozi's eight-way trigram crucible for 49 days to be distilled into an elixir by samadhi fires, which are hot enough to burn even the most powerful beings. However, Sun Wukong survives by hiding in a corner of the crucible where the wind trigram lessens the fire's intensity. The samadhi fires reinforce his body, making him stronger and impervious to greater damage, and give him the ability to recognize evil with his new "fiery eyes and golden pupils" (huǒyǎn-jīnjīng).

When the crucible is opened, Sun Wukong leaps out, destroys it, and confronts the Jade Emperor and his advisors in Heaven's main chamber.

Following Sun Wukong's rebellion and destruction in Heaven, the Jade Emperor and other celestial authorities appeal to the Buddha for help. The Buddha arrives from the West and listens to the Monkey King's audacious claim that he should be the new Jade Emperor. The Buddha, in response, proposes a bet: if Sun Wukong can escape from his palm, he will concede that the Monkey King deserves the throne.

Confident in his abilities, Sun Wukong accepts the bet. He leaps off the Buddha's palm and flies to what he believes is the end of the universe, where he finds five massive pillars. To prove his journey, he marks one of the pillars with a phrase declaring himself the "Great Sage Equal to Heaven" and urinates on another. Afterward, he returns to Buddha's palm to claim victory, only to discover, to his shock, that the five pillars are actually the fingers of Buddha's hand. Realizing he has been outwitted, Sun Wukong attempts to escape, but the Buddha quickly turns his hand into a mountain, sending him hurtling back to Earth.

Buddha then seals Sun Wukong beneath the mountain, using a paper talisman inscribed with the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum." Trapped under the mountain, the Monkey King is imprisoned for five hundred years to learn patience and humility. During this time, he is fed iron pellets when hungry and molten copper when thirsty by two earth spirits assigned by the Buddha.

Five hundred years after being imprisoned under the mountain, the Bodhisattva Guanyin searches for disciples to protect Tang Sanzang, a monk of the Tang dynasty, on a pilgrimage to the West to retrieve the Buddhist sutras. Hearing this, Sun Wukong offers to serve Tang Sanzang in exchange for his freedom at the end of the journey. Knowing Sun Wukong would be difficult to control, Guanyin gives Tang Sanzang a magical circlet from the Buddha. Once Sun Wukong is tricked into wearing it, it cannot be removed. If Tang Sanzang chants a specific sutra, the circlet tightens, causing Sun Wukong an unbearable headache. Additionally, Guanyin gives Sun Wukong three special hairs for use in dire emergencies. Under Tang Sanzang's supervision, Sun Wukong is allowed to embark on the journey to the West.

Throughout the journey, Sun Wukong loyally serves as Tang Sanzang's bodyguard, defending him from numerous threats, including demons, supernatural beings, and bandits who believe that consuming Tang Sanzang's flesh will grant them immortality and great power. They are joined by two other disciples, "Pigsy" (Zhu Bajie) and "Sandy" (Sha Wujing), who accompany the group to atone for their past sins. Together, they face a series of eighty-one tribulations before successfully reaching their destination in India, retrieving the sutras, and returning safely to China.

During this pilgrimage, Sun Wukong learns the virtues and teachings of Buddhism, gradually developing wisdom and compassion. As a reward for his service and strength, he attains Buddhahood and becomes the "Victorious Fighting Buddha" (鬥戰勝佛, Dòu-zhànshèng-fó). Throughout the journey, Sun Wukong demonstrates his deep knowledge of fate, the future tribulations of Tang Sanzang, the medicinal properties of herbs, and various forms of healing, showcasing his wisdom and awareness beyond his mischievous nature.

Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, achieved immortality through seven different means, making him one of the most invincible beings in existence:

  1. Disciple to Puti Zushi: Wukong sought out the immortal Taoist patriarch, Puti Zushi, to learn how to achieve immortality. He trained for seven years, learning the spells to control the five elements and cultivate immortality, including the 72 Earthly Transformations. He obtained the secret formula for immortality, though the Court of Heaven disapproved of this method.
  2. Book of Mortals: Sun Wukong was dragged to the World of Darkness, where he was told that his time in the human world had ended. In a fit of anger, he fought his way through and confronted "The Ten Kings," the judges of the dead. Wukong managed to scare them and demanded the book of mortals, erasing his name and those of his monkey tribe, making him untouchable by death.
  3. Peach of Immortality: During his time as "Guardian of the Heavenly Peach Garden," Wukong ate the peaches of immortality, which granted him additional levels of eternal life and new abilities. These peaches had three types: the first granted immortality, the second enabled flight and eternal youth, and the third made one as "eternal as heaven and earth."
  4. Heavenly Wine: Not invited to the Queen Mother of the West's royal banquet, Wukong sneaked in, drank the heavenly wine, and gained further immortality.
  5. Pills of Longevity: While drunk from the heavenly wine, he stumbled into Laozi's alchemy lab and consumed the pills of longevity. These pills were known as "The Immortals' Greatest Treasure" and conferred even more immortality.
  6. Aftermath of Immortality: Wukong's multiple methods of gaining immortality made his body nearly invincible. He survived several execution attempts, including being placed in Laozi's furnace for 49 days. The samadhi fire refined him further, granting him another layer of immortality and the ability to recognize evil.
  7. Ginseng Fruit: During the journey to the West, Wukong and his companions obtained ginseng fruit, a rare and powerful fruit that grants an additional 47,000 years of life to those who consume it.

After reaching the Buddha's temple, Wukong consumed more Buddhist equivalents of immortal foods, making him an "eight-fold immortal."

In "Xiyoubu"

In the satirical novel "Xiyoubu" ("Supplement to the Journey to the West"), Sun Wukong becomes trapped in a magical dream world created by the Qing Fish Demon, the embodiment of desire. During his journey through time, he serves as the adjunct King of Hell, takes on the appearance of a concubine, causes the downfall of the Qin dynasty, and faces King Paramita, his son with the demoness Princess Iron Fan, on the battlefield. "Xiyoubu" is set between chapters 61 and 62 of "Journey to the West" and was written by Tong Yue to create an opponent that Wukong could not defeat with his strength and martial skills—desire itself.

Powers and Abilities:

All previous abilities on a lower scale, seems to have gotten weaker after being sealed.

All previous abilities on an unfathomably higher scale, along with Buddhas Abilities (He would have the Physiology of a Buddha after becoming a Buddha himself and reaching Nirvana)*Immortality (Type 8 & 9; The diamond incorruptible body of Buddhahood, is the incorruptible dharma-body. As one of the Three Religions, Buddhism is unable to be destroyed or abolished, and the dharma is neither produced nor destroyed from the very beginning. For the dharma to be born or destroyed, it must be decided by one's mind, and one's mind must decide who caused such a thing to happen[103][104][105][106])

Buddhas Resistance

All previous abilities on an unfathomably higher scale, along with the Dharmakaya Abilities(He would have the Physiology of The Dharmakaya after becoming one with it and reaching Nirvana) * Omnipresence (The Dharmakaya is stated to be a pearl-like radiance holding myriad things, with this referring to the mating of Heaven and Earth in which all things were created[133][134])

Attack Potency: Multi-Solar System level (Defeated all the Deities of Heaven alone, among which included many constellations. The conflict devastating the cosmos[135]), Low Complex Multiverse level, possibly Complex Multiverse level via Size Manipulation (Sun Wukong has stated that he could grow large enough to fill the universe, which is Low 1-C to possibly 1-C[136]) | At least Multi-Continent level (Fought and killed an Evil Spirit whose presence alone shook four continents, caused the oceans to fall into turmoil, flattened forest and flipped mountains[137]), likely Large Star level (Tathagata (the Buddha) states Wukong is capable of moving the Planets and Stars[138]), Low Complex Multiverse level, possibly Complex Multiverse level via Size Manipulation | Complex Multiverse level (A Buddha is capable of holding all of Heaven, and the entire World in their palm. All things are Unreality to a Buddha, including beings who see all Existence as Unreality such as a Bodhisattva[139]) | High Complex Multiverse level (The Dharmakāya (Meaning Truth body), is the Unmanifested, inconceivable aspect of all Buddhas from which they arise and return to, beyond the manifested Dao and Buddha-Nature)

Speed: Massively FTL+ (Sun Wukong was capable of reaching the ends of Heaven itself within a very short period of time. That would make him 97.826 Quadrillion times the Speed of Light[140][141]), possibly Infinite (The Realms that Sun Wukong has traveled to and from using his somersaults are currently rated as potential space-times within the cosmology) | Massively FTL+ (Sun Wukong can go to the underworld from the human world, which is separated by a space as vast as Heaven, which is stated to contain every heavenly body, including galaxies. That would make him 1.634 Quadrillion times the Speed of Light[142][143][144][145][146]), possibly Infinite | Unknown, possibly Infinite | Omnipresent (The Dharmakaya is everywhere as it does not go or return, move or change. It encompass and is all Buddha-Natures which means it encompass and is everything[147])

Lifting Strength: Pre-Stellar (States he can grab and move the moon with his bare hands. The Moon in JTTW is many times heavier than our Earth, Immeasurable via Size Manipulation | At least Class P (Carried two mountains on his shoulders. These two mountains together weigh more than small moon[148]), Immeasurable via Size Manipulation | Immeasurable (A Buddha can hold the lower cosmology in their palm, which include recursive universes) | Immeasurable

Striking Strength: Multi-Solar System level, Low Complex Multiverse level, possibly Complex Multiverse level via Size Manipulation | At least Multi-Continent level, likely Large Star level, Low Complex Multiverse level, possibly Complex Multiverse level via Size Manipulation | Complex Multiverse level | High Complex Multiverse level

Durability: Low Complex Multiverse level, possibly Complex Multiverse level (Sun Wukong survived an attack so powerful that it caused the entire world to tremble, nearly splitting the universe in half[149]) | At least Multi-Continent level, likely Large Star level (Fought multiple beings that could be considered equivalent to him in strength, including an exact copy of himself[150]) | Complex Multiverse level | High Complex Multiverse level

Stamina: Superhuman (Fought all of Heaven for an entire day and does not require rest or sleep. Spent 49 days in a brazier meant to kill Gods and Immortals without food or water and could immediately fight all of Heaven again[151][152][153]) | Infinite (A Buddha is one with Dharma itself, which is an endless and boundless source of power) | Infinite

Range: Standard Melee Range, Planetary (Can reach and grab the moon), Interstellar (Can alter the course of planets and stars), Low Complex Multiversal, possibly Complex Multiversal (His Cudgel can fill the Universe and grow infinitely, and he himself can grow to similar sizes[154][155]) | Complex Multiversal | High Complex Multiversal

Standard Equipment: Ruyi Jingu Bang (A cudgel that weighs over thirteen thousand pounds. It has the ability to fly and act via Sun Wukong's prompt and can even fight for him. It is capable of shapeshifting along with the ability to multiply itself thousands of times over. On top of all of that the staff itself is stated multiple times to be capable of growing to any size, similar to Sun Wukong. It could fill the Universe or grow smaller than a hair, because of this power it is capable of even holding the Milkyway in place) | None notable | None notable

Intelligence: Genius (Outside of his pure Martial Arts and Fighting capabilities Sun Wukong has shown cased his capabilities of being a capable doctor that can treat sick people and those who are injured. He has stated himself that he is well versed in the innerworkings of Heaven and Earth, and his pure comprehensive ability allowed him to not only learn the Daoist Way of Immortality before his peers within a matter of years, but also surpassing Daoist Immortals who are thousands if not more years old. On top of this after switching to Buddhism he ended up mastering The Great Way by the end of his journey which is considered even more complex and difficult to learn. When it comes to his Combat Ability & Magic in general, he is more proficient at flying then any of the other Gods with ability to transform into various things outdoing theirs as well. He is capable of tricking and outsmarting Immortals, Demons and Gods who have lived for millions of years both outside and in the midst of combat. He knows practically every method of Martial Arts and can utilize all sorts of weapons no matter how large or heavy. Infact he is so well versed in Martial Art's that he could fight an exact clone of himself to a draw, that clone had precognition while also instantly knowing about any event that occurs within thousands of miles of themselves. He is also shown to be a very good leader, teaching an entire army of monkeys how to fight to the extent they could battle the forces of Heaven) | Omniscient (A Buddha is omniscient as they know all categories of things. They have absolutely limitless wisdom, comprehending everything there is, even the formless. They have access to the deepest of Prajna, which means Transcendent Wisdom of the True Nature of all things) | Omniscient

Weaknesses: Sun Wukong is extremely confident in his own abilities, leading to him act very prideful and arrogantly, usually getting him into all sorts of bad situations. Along with this, despite being incapable of drowning, he sinks and has difficulty moving when submerged in water. This can lead to him having issues while fighting if he does not use any spells. However even then Sun Wukong cannot fight while using his Water Avoidance Charm. Despite his Invincibility Sun Wukong can be hurt by True Samadhi Fire and his eyes are very vulnerable to smoke. | None | None

Notable Attacks/Techniques:

  • The 72 Earthly Transformations (This gives Sun Wukong the ability to shapeshift into 72 different things, having an extra life for each one of those transformations. This also gives Sun Wukong complete control over his body, being able to create extra limbs or modify his size)
  • Body Outside of Body (Sun Wukong can transform each of his 84,000 Body Hairs into anything he wants including exact clones of himself, objects, animals or even other people. He can bite these hairs into smaller bits to create even more clones)
  • Body Freezing (By pointing Sun Wukong can freeze beings in place as if they were stone statues)
  • Avoidance Charms (Sun Wukong can create Avoidance Charm Spells which allow him to become immune to certain elements, including Fire, Water and Lightning)
  • Lock Breaking Spell (With a single point Sun Wukong can open or unlock anything that is locked. This includes magical gates or locks such as he could even open the Gates of Heaven this way)
  • Protective Circle (By drawing a circle on the ground he can create an Invisible Barrier, capable of holding back paranormal threats like Demons or Monsters)
  • Fiery Golden Eyes (By surviving in Lao Zi's furnace for 49 Days he obtained special eyes. He can see through all disguises, illusions and transformations. His eyes are unhindered by darkness, and he can see even the smallest details up to three hundred miles away. This also allows him to see people's dualities, such as if they are evil or good, rich or poor, etc.)

References

  1. ↑ ——— (2012). "Introduction". Journey to the West. Vol. 1. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 1–96.
  2. ↑ Page 365, Chapter 17 (Volume 1)
  3. ↑ Page 142, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  4. ↑ Page 111, Chapter 58 (Volume 3)
  5. ↑ Page 115, Chapter 58 (Volume 3)
  6. ↑ Page 133, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  7. ↑ Page 348, Chapter 49 (Volume 2)
  8. ↑ Page 131, Chapter 59 (Volume 3)
  9. ↑ Page 131, Chapter 59 (Volume 3)
  10. ↑ Page 473, Chapter 25 (Volume 1)
  11. ↑ Page 155, Chapter 4(Volume 1)
  12. ↑ Page 160, Chapter 61 (Volume 3)
  13. ↑ Page 157, Chapter 61 (Volume 3)
  14. ↑ Page 72, Chapter 31 (Volume 2)
  15. ↑ Page 283, Chapter 94 (Volume 4)
  16. ↑ Page 83, Chapter 31 (Volume 2)
  17. ↑ Page 321, Chapter 15 (Volume 1)
  18. ↑ Page 19, Chapter 27 (Volume 2)
  19. ↑ Page 86, Chapter 31 (Volume 2)
  20. ↑ Page 321, Chapter 15 (Volume 1)
  21. ↑ Page 304, Chapter 13 (Volume 1)
  22. ↑ Page 362, Chapter 50 (Volume 2)
  23. ↑ Page 133, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  24. ↑ Page 173, Chapter 37 (Volume 2)
  25. ↑ Page 193, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  26. ↑ Page 133 , Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  27. ↑ Page 307, Chapter 46 (Volume 2)
  28. ↑ Page 231, Chapter 41 (Volume 2)
  29. ↑ Page 140, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  30. ↑ Page 126, Chapter 34 (Volume 2)
  31. ↑ Page 363, Chapter 17 (Volume 1)
  32. ↑ Page 472, Chapter 25 (Volume 1)
  33. ↑ Page 165, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  34. ↑ Page 277, Chapter 44 (Volume 2)
  35. ↑ Page 101, Chapter 1 (Volume 1)
  36. ↑ Page 67, Chapter 30 (Volume 1)
  37. ↑ Page 475, Chapter 25 (Volume 1)
  38. ↑ Page 313, Chapter 46 (Volume 2)
  39. ↑ Page 469, Chapter 25 (Volume 1)
  40. ↑ Page 311, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
  41. ↑ Page 133, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  42. ↑ Page 139, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  43. ↑ Page 465, Chapter 25 (Volume 1)
  44. ↑ Page 212, Chapter 8(Volume 1)
  45. ↑ Page 139, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  46. ↑ Page 132, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  47. ↑ Page 102, Chapter 1 (Volume 1)
  48. ↑ Page 155, Chapter 4 (Volume 1)
  49. ↑ Page 171, Chapter 62 (Volume 3)
  50. ↑ Page 110, Chapter 58 (Volume 3)
  51. ↑ Page 145, Chapter 4 (Volume 1)
  52. ↑ Page 23, Chapter 27 (Volume 2)
  53. ↑ Page 172, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  54. ↑ Page 220, Chapter 90 (Volume 4)
  55. ↑ Page 374, Chapter 75 (Volume 3)
  56. ↑ Page 137, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  57. ↑ Page 66, Chapter 55 (Volume 3)
  58. ↑ Page 188, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  59. ↑ Page 190, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  60. ↑ Page 279, Chapter 94 (Volume 4)
  61. ↑ Page 287, Chapter 12 (Volume 1)
  62. ↑ Page 408, Chapter 21 (Volume 1)
  63. ↑ Page 85, Chapter 31 (Volume 2)
  64. ↑ Page 211, Chapter 40 (Volume 2)
  65. ↑ Page 121, Chapter 2 (Volume 1)
  66. ↑ Page 153, Chapter 4 (Volume 1)
  67. ↑ Page 328, Chapter 47 (Volume 1)
  68. ↑ Page 311, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
  69. ↑ Page 472, Chapter 25 (Volume 1)
  70. ↑ Page 117, Chapter 2 (Volume 1)
  71. ↑ Page 313, Chapter 46 (Volume 2)
  72. ↑ Page 166, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  73. ↑ Page 6, Chapter 1 (Volume 1)
  74. ↑ Page 139, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  75. ↑ Page 383, Chapter 19 (Volume 1)
  76. ↑ Page 145, Chapter 4 (Volume 1)
  77. ↑ Page 140, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  78. ↑ Page 255, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  79. ↑ Page 365, Chapter 99 (Volume 4)
  80. ↑ Page 357, Chapter 98 (Volume 4)
  81. ↑ Page 279, Chapter 94 (Volume 4)
  82. ↑ Page 43, Chapter 78 (Volume 4)
  83. ↑ Page 121, Chapter 2 (Volume 1)
  84. ↑ Page 169, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  85. ↑ Page 512, Notes (Volume 1)
  86. ↑ Page 365, Chapter 99 (Volume 4)
  87. ↑ Page 223, Chapter 9 (Volume 1)
  88. ↑ Page 287, Chapter 70 (Volume 3)
  89. ↑ Page 23, Chapter 77 (Volume 4)
  90. ↑ Page 72, Chapter 31 (Volume 2)
  91. ↑ Page 139, Chapter 3 (Volume 1)
  92. ↑ Page 510, Notes (Volume 1)
  93. ↑ Page 86, Chapter 31 (Volume 2)
  94. ↑ Page 321, Chapter 15 (Volume 1)
  95. ↑ Page 242, Chapter 10 (Volume 1)
  96. ↑ Page 247, Chapter 10 (Volume 1)
  97. ↑ Page 175, Chapter 6 (Volume 1)
  98. ↑ Page 169, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  99. ↑ Page 190, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  100. ↑ Page 392, Chapter 19 (Volume 1)
  101. ↑ Page 169, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  102. ↑ Page 190, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  103. ↑ Page 404, Notes (Volume 4)
  104. ↑ Page 365, Chapter 99 (Volume 4)
  105. ↑ Page 274, Chapter 12 (Volume 1)
  106. ↑ Page 393, Chapter 20 (Volume 1)
  107. ↑ Page 89, Chapter 32 (Volume 2)
  108. ↑ Page 379, Notes (Volume 2)
  109. ↑ Page 381, Notes (Volume 2)
  110. ↑ Page 25, Chapter 52 (Volume 3)
  111. ↑ Page 94, Chapter 57 (Volume 3)
  112. ↑ Page 22, Chapter 52 (Volume 3)
  113. ↑ Page 115, Chapter 58 (Volume 3)
  114. ↑ Page 378, Chapter 100 (Volume 4)
  115. ↑ Page 377, Chapter 100 (Volume 4)
  116. ↑ Page 377, Chapter 100 (Volume 4)
  117. ↑ Page 278, Chapter 12 (Volume 1)
  118. ↑ Page 202, Chapter 8 (Volume 1)
  119. ↑ Page 452, Chapter 24 (Volume 1)
  120. ↑ Page 100, Chapter 57 (Volume 3)
  121. ↑ Page 120, Chapter 83 (Volume 4)
  122. ↑ Page 140, Chapter 84 (Volume 4)
  123. ↑ Page 204, Chapter 64 (Volume 3)
  124. ↑ Page 393, Chapter 20 (Volume 1)
  125. ↑ Page 25, Chapter 52 (Volume 3)
  126. ↑ Page 25, Chapter 52 (Volume 3)
  127. ↑ Page 247, Chapter 42 (Volume 2)
  128. ↑ Page 199, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  129. ↑ Page 304, Chapter 13 (Volume 1)
  130. ↑ Page 31, Chapter 77 (Volume 4)
  131. ↑ Page 32, Chapter 77 (Volume 4)
  132. ↑ Page 365, Chapter 99 (Volume 4)
  133. ↑ Page 306, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
  134. ↑ Page 29, Chapter 77 (Volume 4)
  135. ↑ Page 168, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  136. ↑ Page 311, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
  137. ↑ Page 248, Chapter 67 (Volume 3)
  138. ↑ Page 115, Chapter 58 (Volume 3)
  139. ↑ Page 195, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  140. ↑ Page 194, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  141. ↑ Page 195, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  142. ↑ Page 338, Chapter 97 (Volume 4)
  143. ↑ Page 253, Chapter 11 (Volume 1)
  144. ↑ Page 100, Chapter 1 (Volume 1)
  145. ↑ Page 100, Chapter 1 (Volume 1)
  146. ↑ Page 3, Chapter 51 (Volume 3)
  147. ↑ Page 306, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
  148. ↑ Page 109, Chapter 33 (Volume 2)
  149. ↑ Page 409, Chapter 21 (Volume 1)
  150. ↑ Page 111, Chapter 58 (Volume 3)
  151. ↑ Page 172, Chapter 5 (Volume 1)
  152. ↑ Page 475, Chapter 25 (Volume 1)
  153. ↑ Page 189, Chapter 7 (Volume 1)
  154. ↑ Page 201, Chapter 88 (Volume 4)
  155. ↑ Page 311, Chapter 14 (Volume 1)
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