Session 14: Sun Wukong Creates Chaos at the Peach Banquet and Steals the Golden Pills
- liz zhang
- Jan 30
- 2 min read
In this session, after enjoying a carefree and idle life, Sun Wukong was given a new role as the Administrator of the Peach Orchard to keep him occupied and prevent potential trouble. However, while entrusted with this duty, he stole and ate the celestial peaches, then caused chaos at the Peach Banquet, and finally broke into the Tushita Palace to steal the Golden Pills of Refined Elixir.
Session Focus:
We will examine Sun Wukong’s evolving character—his ability to take responsibility and perform tasks diligently, yet also his cunning use of magic, deception, and trickery to satisfy his own desires and benefit his fellow beasts.
Key Questions for Reflection:
Q1: How did Sun Wukong spend his time after obtaining the title of "Great Sage Equalling Heaven"?
Q: What concern did an official raise about Sun Wukong’s idleness?
What job was given to him as a result?
Q: How did Sun Wukong react to his new job?
Q: What is a tutelary god responsible for?
Q: How many peach trees were in the orchard, and what was special about them?
How was Sun Wukong’s reaction learning the miraculous benefits of the celestial peaches?
Q: How did Sun Wukong fulfill his role as Administrator of the Peach Orchard?
Why do you think he was so dedicated to his job?
Q: How did Sun Wukong manage to steal and eat the celestial peaches?
Which type did he eat the most?
Q: What lesson can we learn from Sun Wukong’s appointment to the Peach Orchard?
Q: What was the purpose of the Feast of Peaches, and who was traditionally invited?
Q: Was Sun Wukong invited to the banquet?
Q: How did Sun Wukong deceive the Barefoot Immortal?
Why did the Barefoot Immortal believe him?
How did Sun Wukong use magic to infiltrate the banquet?
Q: How many times did Sun Wukong use magic spells in Chapter 5?
How do you view his increasing reliance on magic for self-interest and deception?
Q: Where did Sun Wukong accidentally go after leaving the banquet?
Sun Wukong said to himself, ”The Tushita Palace is the highest of the thirty−three heavens, where Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad reigns.”
Q: Sun Wukong appears to have gained knowledge of the cosmic structure. Where was he at that moment?
Q: What did Sun Wukong discover at the Tushita Palace that delighted him?
What did he do with it?
I am Nobu, currently living in Prague.
A wise person once said, "In human perception, heaven is like a resort." From this session, I learned about the risks involved when an uncivilized being enters a civilized world.
The heaven in the book represents a more advanced and civilized realm than our human world. Here are the insights I realized:
It is a well-structured and harmonious place governed by default precepts (codes of conduct).
All celestial beings are ranked by their responsibilities and must humbly work their way up from the bottom.
The utmost respect is reserved for virtuous individuals, such as those invited to the Jade Banquet.
Generosity is a defining trait; for instance, the Monkey King was respectfully welcomed…
I am Chuan, living in Prague of Czech Republic.
The task of managing the peach orchard is similar to a company's strategic goals – the goal is to effectively manage the orchard to ensure the yield and quality of the peaches.
When the Jade Emperor gave this responsibility to Monkey king he probably didn't consider whether Monkey king was suitable for the role. It was just a position that needed to be filled, so he appointed Monkey king and gave him no guidance. As a result, when Monkey king discovered the extraordinary powers of the peach, which only ripen once every 9,000 years, he couldn't resist the temptation. Overcome by desire.
There are no immortals in heaven who have no…