The Question

Journey to the West 106 The Question

Guanyin looked at the messenger in surprise. “ What is the problem?” she asked. “ It’s about the Tang Monk, ” said the messenger. “ To become a buddha, he needs to face one hundred challenges. I was just looking at the list of challenges he’s faced. There are only 99 challenges on the list. He must face one more challenge to become a buddha! ”

“ We’re moving so fast! ” said the Tang Monk, smiling. The travelers were flying back east. The guard from the Thunderclap Monastery was using a spell to carry them. “ I wish the whole journey had been this easy, ” said Bajie.

Wukong laughed. “ Master was still mortal before we reached the Western Paradise. He couldn’t be carried then. ” Wujing looked ahead. “ We’ll reach the Tang Empire soon. ” Just then a messenger caught up with them. The messenger whispered something in the guard’s ear. The guard glanced quickly at the travelers. Then he looked back at the messenger and nodded.

Instantly the spell broke, and the travelers fell from the sky. Bam! They slammed into the ground next to a wide river. Wukong stood up and saw the guard and messenger flying back west. The monkey shook his head. “ What happened?” The Tang Monk stood up and brushed dirt from his robe. “ Why did the guard drop us?”

“ I’ll tell you why, ” said Bajie. “ He’s a villain! He thinks it’s funny to drop people! ” The pig waved his fist at the guard, who was now far away. “ Villain! ” Wukong turned slowly to the Tang Monk. “ I think I know why he dropped us, Master. You must face one hundred challenges in order to become a buddha. “ You probably got to the Western Paradise before you’d faced all of them. ”