Chapter 108 - 106: Just When the Spring Breeze was Successful
Subhuti knew that Wukong was pinned beneath the Five Elements Mountain by Tathagata, and thus he sent Wusheng, though the purpose was unclear.
Upon understanding the reason for Wusheng’s arrival, Wukong chuckled and said, "I don’t know what my master has asked my elder sister to do. Is it perhaps to bring me a magical treasure that can set me free?"
Wusheng couldn’t help but laugh and said, "You slick Macaca! The master said that pinning you under the mountain for five hundred years is to temper your temperament, so you won’t commit heinous crimes again and bring about a calamity that could cost you your life. He has given me a scroll of notes, containing many principles he has contemplated, for you to read."
Knowing that Subhuti wouldn’t intervene to free him from beneath the Five Elements Mountain, Wukong respectfully said, "Then I will trouble you, elder sister, to let me have a look at that scroll."
Wusheng handed the scroll to Wukong, which were Subhuti’s own enlightenments from when he comprehended the Dao. It was difficult for ordinary people to understand, but Wukong, well-versed in principles, could manage to read it with some effort.
"You are trapped under this Five Elements Mountain and cannot practice cultivation, so it’s good to read more about these principles. This is called ’accumulating thickly to emit thinly,’" Wusheng said with a smile.
Seeing that Wukong was crushed under the Five Elements Mountain did not worry her at all. Wukong also breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed that he was safe. Otherwise, with Wusheng’s protective nature, she wouldn’t appear so calm. This lifetime, Wukong had learned to be smart, maintaining good relations with his elder sister and master to prevent being ignored if real danger did strike. In his previous life, he lacked the skills to manage relationships, a loner with no place to seek redress when Tathagata took his life.
This was also one of the reasons Wukong suspected Subhuti was Laozi—why would he enlighten Tang Sanzang and help resurrect himself? Other than Wukong, everyone’s memories had been erased. To reverse the Heavenly Dao was inherently taboo. The Rebirth Box, crafted by Amitabha Buddha from his own Rebirth Lotus Dais—which was one of the Innate Lotus Platforms—likely had its own story. Wukong surmised that the Rebirth Box couldn’t have been created solely from the Lotus Dais; there must be more complicated factors involved, beyond his comprehension.
Wukong nodded and said, "My teacher has been thoughtful. I will certainly strive to understand these principles, to accumulate thickly and emit thinly."
"Do so well for yourself. This time, it’s uncertain how long you’ll be suppressed," Wusheng said.
Wukong thought, "It’s but five hundred years." Yet he replied, "Elder sister, go slowly. If the master has any more instructions, please convey them to me."