Subodhi

Journey to the West 3 Subodhi

Monkey sailed over the ocean for a long time. Finally he arrived at a new land. He walked for many years, visiting towns and meeting people. But he didn’t find a sage anywhere. Eventually he came to mountains covered in thick forest. He headed up a steep mountain trail and soon heard chopping. A woodcutter was chopping firewood.

“ Hello, ” said Monkey. “ Are there any sages in these mountains?” The woodcutter dropped his ax. “ You’re . . . a monkey! ” he said. “ And you’re talking! ” “ Yes, I am, ” said Monkey. “ And I want to live forever. Do you know where I can find a sage?” The woodcutter scratched his head. “ Well, yes, ” he said. “ A sage named Subodhi lives on this mountain. He is very wise. ”

Monkey was excited. “ Where can I find him?” “ Just follow this trail, and you will come to his home, ” said the woodcutter. “ Thank you! ” said Monkey. He waved good-bye to the woodcutter and ran up the trail. Soon he saw a temple built into the side of the mountain.

Subodhi was sitting with his students in the main room of his temple. He looked at his oldest student. “ Please go to the door, ” said Subodhi. “ A new student is about to arrive. Let him in. ” The student looked confused. “ Okay, Master, ” he said.

The student got up and went to the door of the temple. He looked outside. “ Hello! ” called Monkey. “ I’m here to see Subodhi! ” A moment later Monkey was standing in front of the sage. “ I want to be your student, ” said Monkey. “ But you’re just a monkey, ” said Subodhi. “ How can you be my student?”