The Small Thunderclap Monastery

Journey to the West 80 The Small Thunderclap Monastery

One afternoon Wukong and his companions were resting by a stream. They were eating peaches and berries. “ We must be getting close to the Western Paradise, ” said the Tang Monk. “ We’ve been traveling for years. ” “ I feel like we’ve been traveling for thousandsof years, ” said Bajie.

“ We still have a long way to go, ” said Wukong. “ But don’t worry. Eventually we’ll arrive in the Western Paradise and climb up the Spirit Mountain. Buddha’s home, the Thunderclap Monastery, sits halfway up the mountain. ” The Tang Monk took a bite of his peach. “ The Thunderclap Monastery must be wonderful to see. ” “ The monastery is spectacular, ” said the monkey. “ Golden light shines from it. ”

Bajie moaned. “ So we’re going to have to climb a mountain at the end of this journey? Just thinking about that makes me tired. ” Wujing stroked his chin. “ I really hope the journey ends soon. ” The pig nodded. “ You’re tired of traveling too?” “ No, ” said Wujing with a serious look. “ I’m just tired of hearing you complain. ”

Everyone was quiet for a moment. Then Wujing’s face broke into a smile, and everybody laughed, even Bajie. “ Very funny, Wujing, ” said Bajie. The Tang Monk stood up. “ We should go. I’d like to find a village or a monastery before dark. ”

A couple of hours later, they were traveling up a mountain road. The road curved around a bend. Ahead they could see a small monastery. The Tang Monk asped. “ Is that the Thunderclap Monastery?” “ It might be, ” said Bajie. “ Golden light is shining from it. ” “ It’s on a mountain, ” Wujing dded. Wukong laughed. “ It’s not the Thunderclap Monastery. We’re not even in the Western Paradise yet. ”