Secret Formulas

Journey to the West 4 Secret Formulas

When the other students went to bed that night, Wukong stayed awake. At three o’clock in the morning, he crept quietly through the dark temple. He entered Subodhi’s room. “ Wukong, what are you doing here?” asked the sage.

“ I understood your secret message, ” said the monkey. “ You hit me on the head three times. That meant you wanted me to visit you at three o’clock. Now will you teach me how to live forever?” Subodhi smiled. “ I knew you were a worthy student. Come closer. ” Subodhi whispered into Wukong’s ear. The sage whispered prayers as well as secret formulas about the universe and nature. As the monkey listened to his teacher’s words, powerful light filled the room.

Now Wukong knew how to live forever! For the next few years, Wukong meditated and practiced the secret formulas. While the other students slept at night, Wukong stayed up. Soon his mind and body were powerful, and he could change shape or size. He could turn into other animals and soar through the sky on clouds.

One day all the students were sitting outside. “ Wukong, ” said one student. “ You have been busy lately. ” “ It’s true, ” said another student. “ What have you been doing?” “ I’ve been meditating and practicing secret formulas, ” said Wukong.

“ Secret formulas?” said the first student. Everyone looked very interested. They leaned in closer to Wukong. “ Yes, ” said the monkey. “ Our master told them to me. ” “ He did?” said a student. “ You must be special. He doesn’t tell everyone those formulas. What did he teach you?”