Chapter eighty-seven
Phoenix-Immortal Prefecture Offends Heaven, Rain is Withheld.
The Great Sage Advocates Virtue, Rain is Bestowed.
fèngxiānjùnmàotiānzhǐyǔ凤仙郡冒天止雨sūndàshèngquànshànshīlín孙大圣劝善施霖
How to read this chart:
Arrival in Phoenix-Immortal Prefecture
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureThe pilgrims arrive at Phoenix-Immortal Prefecture, an outer prefecture of India Officials are seeking a priest to pray for rain to end the severe drought. Wukong reads the notice and boasts of his rain-making abilities.
Meeting with the Prefect
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureThe prefect rushes to the market on foot, bowing to implore the pilgrims to pray for rain. He invites them to the official residence and serves tea and a meal; Bajie's voracious eating terrifies the servants. The prefect recites a poem describing three years of drought and devastating famine.
Summoning Aoguang and Request for Heavenly Decree
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureWukong conducts a ritual as Sanzang recites; Aoguang, the Dragon King, appears. Aoguang says rain needs Heaven's decree and rain officials. Wukong departs for the Celestial Palace to seek the decree.
Audience with the Jade Emperor
HeavenWukong reaches West Heaven Gate. The Four Celestial Masters lead him to Hall of Divine Mists to memorialize before the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor explains he witnessed the prefect push over sacrificial offerings and feed them to dogs with obscene utterances three years ago.
The Three Heavenly Conditions
HeavenWukong views three divine conditions: a 100-foot rice mountain with a fist-sized chicken pecking it, a 200-foot flour mountain with a Peking pug lapping it, and a large lock with a lamp burning beneath its key. Rain will come only when the chicken finishes the rice, the dog finishes the flour, and the lamp burns through the key.
Wukong's Confrontation
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureWukong returns and confronts the prefect about offending Heaven three years ago. He demands to know why the prefect pushed down sacrificial maigre and fed it to dogs.
The Prefect's Confession
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureThe prefect admits his wife's taunts led him to topple the votive table and feed offerings to dogs. Wukong outlines three conditions: a chicken finishing a rice mountain, a dog finishing a flour mountain, and a lamp burning through a lock key. Bajie jokes about eating them; Wukong says only virtue, not force, can resolve it.
Repentance and Penance
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureThe prefect vows repentance and initiates three days of Buddhist rituals. He leads his people in worship, chanting, and burning incense; Wukong confirms their virtue may alter Heaven's judgment.
Wukong Reports to Heaven
HeavenWukong returns to Heaven and reports the prefect's sincere repentance and virtuous actions.
Jade Emperor's Decree for Rain
HeavenA guard reports the rice and noodle mountains have toppled and the lock key is broken. The Jade Emperor decrees three feet and forty-two drops of rain.
The Blessed Rain Descends
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureThe people rejoice as rain falls for the first time in three years.
Revelation of Divine Forms
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureWukong asks the deities to remain in midair; the prefect orders people to hold incense and bow to the sky. The clouds move apart and people see the true forms of the dragon king, thundergod, Cloud-Boy, and Earl of Wind. Wukong ensures they see the divine figures so they will believe and sacrifice to them.
Gratitude and Honors
Phoenix-Immortal PrefectureA grand banquet is held for the pilgrims. The prefect organizes a shrine to enshrine their names, with continuous offerings. Sanzang names it 'Monastery of Salvific Rain.' The population and officials escort the pilgrims with banners and drums for thirty miles, weeping as they part.