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Chapter 7: The Great Sage Escapes from the Eight Triagram Furnace

The Nature of Wisdom and Virtue

• The chapter begins with a reflection on wisdom, emphasizing that true virtue leads to truth and righteous actions, contrasting it with arrogance which invites divine wrath.

• It is suggested that pride knows no bounds, leading to chaos in the world and a subversion of natural order.

The Capture of the Great Sage

• The narrative describes how celestial guards captured the Great Sage, subjecting him to various tortures without inflicting any harm due to his extraordinary resilience.

• Despite attempts by deities of fire and thunder to destroy him, he remains unharmed, prompting concern among his captors about his mysterious power.

Divine Intervention and Strategy

• A character named Laot suggests that the Great Sage's consumption of immortality peaches has granted him an indestructible constitution.

• Laot proposes taking the sage to the Eight Triagram Furnace for further trials, believing this will extract his inner elixir.

Release and Rewards

• Upon hearing Laot's plan, the Emperor of Jade orders the release of the Great Sage, who is then rewarded with treasures including gold buds and celestial wine.

• The sage shares his rewards generously with others after expressing gratitude before returning home.

Transformation in the Furnace

• Laot forces the Great Sage into the furnace while instructing attendants to create a massive fire for fusion.

• Inside, there are eight compartments corresponding to different triagrams; he cleverly positions himself in one representing wind.

Escape from Torture

• As time passes unnoticed, on day nine of alchemical processes, when Laot opens the furnace for elixir extraction, chaos ensues as the sage escapes.

• Free from torment, he charges towards freedom despite efforts by attendants to restrain him; he exhibits fierce determination akin to a wild beast.

Cosmic Significance

• His escape is likened to cosmic phenomena where even planets hide in fear; he embodies perfection amidst trials.

The Metamorphosis of the Monkey King

The Nature of Transformation

• The living creatures possess infinite metamorphic capabilities but prefer stillness, rejecting the three refuges and five commandments.

• A poem suggests that a monkey's transformed body marries a human mind, emphasizing that intelligence is akin to a monkey; this reflects profound truths about wisdom and identity.

The Quest for Nirvana

• To achieve Nirvana, one must live harmoniously under two identical trees alongside Tathagata, indicating balance in existence.

• The Monkey King shows no respect for authority as he forcefully makes his way through obstacles, demonstrating rebellion against divine order.

Confrontation with Divine Forces

• An intense battle ensues between the Monkey King and Wang Lin Kanan, who attempts to stop him with a golden whip.

• Both combatants engage in a fierce duel showcasing their warrior skills; despite their differences in weaponry, neither gains an advantage.

Clash of Powers

• Their weapons are forged in divine realms, symbolizing immense power; both aim to either conquer or defend sacred spaces.

• As they fight fiercely without clear dominance, Wang Lin Kanan calls upon 36 Thunder Gods for assistance against the Monkey King.

Escalation of Battle

• Despite being outnumbered by celestial warriors wielding various weapons, the Monkey King remains undeterred and continues to fight back vigorously.

• In response to overwhelming odds, he transforms into a six-armed creature with three heads and multiplies his iron staff for defense.

Divine Intervention

• His rapid spinning creates impenetrable shields from his staffs that reflect light like solid barriers against attacks.

• The Emperor of Jade learns of the chaos and sends wise beings to invite Buddha to intervene against the rebellious monkey king.

Summoning Buddha's Wisdom

• Two sages approach Buddha at the Temple of Thunder’s Treasure seeking help due to the havoc caused by a powerful monkey born on Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Rebellion and Consequences in the Celestial Realm

The Fall from Grace

• A character, initially appointed to a lowly position in the celestial hierarchy, rebels against this perceived indignity and abandons heaven.

• Following his rebellion, he is granted the title of "Great Wise One" but without any real responsibilities; soon after, he mismanages his duties in the garden of Immortal Peaches.

Chaos Unleashed

• In a drunken state, he infiltrates the palace and steals an elixir, prompting a massive military response from over 100,000 celestial warriors.

• Despite their numbers, they fail to subdue him until a strategic trap is set by Laut that finally captures him.

Trials and Resilience

• Even after enduring severe punishments—being cut apart and burned—he remains unharmed due to his extraordinary resilience.

• He escapes confinement after 49 days in a furnace and continues to challenge celestial guards with remarkable defiance.

The Call for Help

• The Emperor of Jade pleads for assistance against this rebellious figure as chaos ensues within the heavenly realm.

• Tatag decides to confront this demon himself while instructing others to maintain their positions at the temple.

Confrontation with Authority

• Upon entering the battlefield, Tatag orders an immediate ceasefire to interrogate the Great Wise One about his powers.

• The Great Wise One responds defiantly, questioning Tatag's authority and expressing disdain for hierarchical norms that restrict him.

Philosophical Clash

• He recounts his origins and training under a great master who taught him transformation abilities; he rejects mortal limitations imposed by divine order.

• His belief that honor should be linked with power leads him to challenge established norms regarding who deserves rulership.

Defiance Against Tradition

• The patriarch Buddhist mocks his aspirations for power given his beastly nature and lack of experience compared to those who have dedicated lifetimes to spiritual practice.

• Despite being belittled for aspiring beyond his station, he argues that even emperors are not eternal; thus, change is inevitable in leadership roles.

Conflict Over the Celestial Palace

The Challenge for the Throne

• The speaker demands that their opponent abandon the throne and hand over the Celestial Palace to end ongoing conflict, threatening continued warfare otherwise.

• The Buddhist patriarch questions the speaker's powers, to which they boast about their abilities, including 72 transformations and a life span of over 10,000 kalpas.

• A wager is proposed: if the speaker can jump from the patriarch's hand without returning, they will be granted the throne; failure means returning to lower realms.

Demonstrating Power

• The speaker confidently accepts and jumps from the patriarch’s hand, achieving a remarkable leap that impresses onlookers.

• They reach a fantastical region supported by five large columns and decide to leave proof of their journey before returning.

Proof of Journey

• To validate their claim, they transform a hair into a writing brush and inscribe evidence of their visit on one of the columns.

• After leaving this mark, they return to confront the patriarch with claims of having completed their challenge.

Confrontation with Reality

• The patriarch challenges them on how they could have left his hand; confusion arises as both parties assert different truths regarding what occurred during the jump.

• Upon inspection, it is revealed that words written by the speaker appear on one of the patriarch's fingers, leading to accusations of trickery.

Consequences and Revelations

• The speaker realizes that despite their efforts, evidence contradicting their claims exists in an unexpected form—on the patriarch’s finger.

• Frustrated by this revelation and feeling deceived, they demand another chance to verify their journey but are thwarted by an unexpected attack from the patriarch.

Final Outcomes

• As tensions escalate further between them due to misunderstandings and magical powers at play, other divine beings express relief at witnessing these events unfold.

Buddhist Patriarch's Encounter with the Jade Emperor

The Arrival of the Buddhist Patriarch

• The Buddhist patriarch turned and adopted a posture of reverent waiting as a colorful phoenix-drawn carriage appeared, covered by a canopy adorned with nine brilliant gems.

• The Jade Emperor expressed gratitude to the patriarch for vanquishing a monster through his powerful dharma, allowing them to enjoy his presence longer and inviting other immortals to a banquet in his honor.

Acknowledgment and Invitations

• The patriarch humbly responded that he came at the emperor's command, attributing success to good fortune and cooperation from other gods rather than personal merit.

• The Jade Emperor ordered invitations sent promptly to various celestial beings, including the three pure ones, four ministers, five elders, and numerous immortals residing in heaven.

The Banquet Preparations

• As preparations unfolded, the patriarch took the highest seat among seven treasures while other deities seated themselves according to rank around an opulent table filled with dragon livers, phoenix marrow, jade juice, and immortal peaches.

• Various dignitaries arrived bearing splendid treasures such as magnificent pearls and exotic flowers as tokens of gratitude towards Buddha.

Gratitude Towards Buddha

• Attendees expressed their reverence for Buddha’s power in subduing the monkey king and thanked him for inviting them to such an extravagant feast.

• They requested Buddha to name this grand occasion; he graciously named it "the great banquet of celestial peace."

Celebration of Celestial Peace

• Immortals celebrated enthusiastically upon hearing the name; they took their seats as wine was served amidst music and flower arrangements.

• A poem referenced how this banquet surpassed expectations set by previous celebrations disrupted by a monkey; it was marked by divine ambiance filled with incense.

Honoring Contributions from Celestial Maidens

• Amidst festivities, the Queen Mother led celestial maidens who honored Buddha for restoring order after disruptions caused by the monkey king.

• They presented immortal peaches harvested from ancient trees as tokens of appreciation during this festive gathering.

Unique Qualities of Immortal Peaches

• These peaches were described as having extraordinary sweetness and beauty due to their age exceeding 10,000 years; they promised longevity without experiencing death.

Conclusion of Festivities

• The Buddhist patriarch expressed heartfelt thanks for these gifts while encouraging continued celebration through song and dance.

The Celebration of Immortality

The Festive Atmosphere and Divine Presence

• The scene is set with the Emperor of Jade hosting a grand celebration, where guests are described as ageless, some even surpassing 10,000 years. The atmosphere is filled with joy as wine flows and music plays.

• A divine figure appears amidst the festivities—a venerable old man holding a plant symbolizing eternal life. This moment captivates both gods and celestial beings present at the banquet.

• The old man possesses an elixir that grants longevity for 10,000 years and carries a book listing names that have existed for over 12 millennia, emphasizing the theme of immortality.

Gifts of Life and Gratitude

• Upon greeting the Emperor, the star representing enduring life expresses gratitude for being saved from despair when a mischievous monkey was taken to refine gold.

• He presents humble gifts: a jade plant, green lotus root, and golden elixir—symbols of health and longevity—highlighting their significance in achieving eternal happiness.

• References to poetry illustrate how these gifts relate to reincarnation's arduous journey while alluding to eternal happiness through celestial rewards.

Recognition Among Celestial Beings

• The star acknowledges its role as a master within its realm; it resides in the heavens where true happiness flows from its diamond body.

• Following this exchange, more wine flows as another immortal arrives—the barefoot immortal—who expresses deep gratitude for teachings received from Buddha.

Offerings of Magic Fruits

• The barefoot immortal offers magical pears and fire dates as tokens of appreciation. These fruits symbolize abundance and prosperity in spiritual practices.

• Descriptions emphasize that those who sit on thrones adorned with treasures experience immense fortune akin to heavenly blessings without deceit or falsehood.

Ensuing Events: Captivity and Punishment

• As revelry continues, news arrives about a wise sage's emergence from captivity. This announcement stirs excitement among attendees but also prompts caution from the Buddhist patriarch.

• A scroll inscribed with sacred words is entrusted to Nanda for placement atop a mountain where the sage is buried—a symbolic act meant to secure his fate further.

• After fulfilling his task, Ananda returns to report back on securing the scroll while expressing concern over the sage’s imprisonment under heavy burdens due to rebellion against divine order.

Consequences of Rebellion

• Instructions are given regarding monitoring the imprisoned sage by feeding him iron balls when hungry and molten copper when thirsty—a harsh punishment reflecting consequences for defiance against cosmic laws.

Confianza y Castigo

La Consecuencia de la Desconfianza

• El texto menciona que la confianza se ha visto traicionada al robar "los melocotones y el vino sagrados", lo que sugiere un acto de deshonestidad que afecta tanto a lo terrenal como a lo celestial.

• Se describe un estado de caos en los Cielos, indicando que las acciones humanas tienen repercusiones más allá del plano físico, afectando el orden divino.

• La purga de culpas se presenta como una consecuencia inevitable, donde el protagonista enfrenta un castigo severo en "la lobg de una cárcel de rocas", simbolizando el sufrimiento y la reclusión.

• Se enfatiza que solo las buenas obras pueden liberar al individuo del castigo extremo, sugiriendo un camino hacia la redención a través de acciones positivas.