# Why Does Sun Wukong Seem Weaker Than Zhu Bajie at Yellow Wind Ridge?

 

 Why Does Sun Wukong Seem Weaker Than Zhu Bajie at Yellow Wind Ridge?

Nantai

Yellow Wind Ridge is where Zhu Bajie first encounters demons after joining the scripture-pilgrimage team. From this battle onward, Sun Wukong behaves strangely: his heroic prowess from the great havoc in Heaven appears to fade, and he seems increasingly incompetent, while the demons grow ever more formidable. Why?

 

Look at Sun Wukong’s performance at Yellow Wind Ridge. Before the main demon even appeared, just a subordinate Tiger Vanguard threw him into disarray. When they first meet, Zhu Bajie carries the baggage while Wukong fights. Although the Tiger Vanguard is no match for Wukong, he remains unharmed. As the tiger flees, he uses a simple trick to deceive Wukong and even captures Tang Sanzang as a prize.

 

In this fight, Wukong not only fails to intimidate the demon but also makes the Tiger Vanguard arrogant. The tiger thinks Wukong’s reputation is greater than his actual ability, so he boasts to his master that he alone can defeat the three pilgrims without the chief demon’s help.

 

The next day, they fight again. The Tiger Vanguard is defeated and flees, with Wukong chasing closely behind. After running over a slope, they run straight into Zhu Bajie, who kills the tiger with one strike of his rake. How could Wukong not catch such a weak demon? How can his cloud somersault, which travels 108,000 li in a single leap, fail to overtake a fleeing monster? Why does Wukong seem even less capable than Zhu Bajie?

 

Have you ever wondered why? Recall the teaching Guanyin gave Wukong when helping him subdue the Black Bear Spirit:

> *Bodhisattva and demon are only a single thought; in their true nature, neither exists.*

 

Notice Wukong’s reaction? The book says: *The Pilgrim suddenly realized in his heart.*

 

Do you understand?

At this point, Wukong is no longer ruled by brute beastly force. Buddhist wisdom has taken root in his mind. His sense of separation and distinction is fading; non-discrimination is growing. He knows that Bodhisattva and demon are just a flip of thought, empty in their original nature. Killing demons is nothing to be proud of. So his urge to kill weakens, and his power no longer shows so fiercely.

 

Zhu Bajie, however, has not yet understood this truth and still holds a strong killing intent. That is why Wukong encourages him:

> *Now is the time for my junior brother to make merit!*