Monkey!!
January 13th 2007 10:12
I can remember, when I was much shorter (and younger) than I am now, there was a show on the ABC affectionately called Monkey Magic. Ahhhhhh Monkey Magic. Bad english dubs, some terrible acting, amateur special effects, and some very eager japanese (the story is chinese but it was made by the japanese) people beating the ever loving snot out of each other. Me and my brothers loved it. Mum banned it after the exciteable nature of boys that could get their hands on long poles. We missed it. She didn't.
Interestingly enough, the story of Monkey is a very curious one. Granted, we all loved the tv version, where it was all about the aforementioned beatings, but the book itself is filled with buddhist thoughts and wisdom. No surprise really. The main character, Monkey, whose full name is Sun Hou-tzu or Sun Wu-kong is not only an animal, but a force of nature in animal form. This gives him great strength and toughness, far beyond a mortal man. He is also a trickster, and a wily one at that.
The book is broken down into separate little chapters, in each a small adventure is undertaken. My own favourite of these adventures is before Monkey becomes the monkey we know and love. It is also one of the most well known of his exploits. I was completely unable to find a copy of it on the net. The tale revolves around the his death. Or at least, when the emporer of death wants to claim him. Monkey goes along, not because he has given in, but because he wants to sort this out. When he reaches the underworld, Monkey starts to go ballistic, screaming bloody murder and threatening every deity and spirit in sight. Eventually, they decided that he can live as long as he chooses and give him access to the room where they keep the records of who dies and when. Monkey, being quite the opportunist, gathers all the names of his subjects and rubs them out as well. The effect of this is that his people are no longer subject to death. Pretty cool hey?
I liked the book, it gave me some interesting stuff to think about, a few good laughs and even helped me write a post for Orble.
JZ
Interestingly enough, the story of Monkey is a very curious one. Granted, we all loved the tv version, where it was all about the aforementioned beatings, but the book itself is filled with buddhist thoughts and wisdom. No surprise really. The main character, Monkey, whose full name is Sun Hou-tzu or Sun Wu-kong is not only an animal, but a force of nature in animal form. This gives him great strength and toughness, far beyond a mortal man. He is also a trickster, and a wily one at that.
The book is broken down into separate little chapters, in each a small adventure is undertaken. My own favourite of these adventures is before Monkey becomes the monkey we know and love. It is also one of the most well known of his exploits. I was completely unable to find a copy of it on the net. The tale revolves around the his death. Or at least, when the emporer of death wants to claim him. Monkey goes along, not because he has given in, but because he wants to sort this out. When he reaches the underworld, Monkey starts to go ballistic, screaming bloody murder and threatening every deity and spirit in sight. Eventually, they decided that he can live as long as he chooses and give him access to the room where they keep the records of who dies and when. Monkey, being quite the opportunist, gathers all the names of his subjects and rubs them out as well. The effect of this is that his people are no longer subject to death. Pretty cool hey?
I liked the book, it gave me some interesting stuff to think about, a few good laughs and even helped me write a post for Orble.
JZ
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Comment by Nathan P. Mahney
NerdBlog
The Comic Nerd
Comment by David my David
Enjoying ...
Voting ...
David ...
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
I loved Monkey!
Next to David Caradine's Kung Fu TV show it was one of my staple's as a kid.
I'm going to track this book down now and read it, I am so happy that you did this post because I am always looking for new spiritual books to read ...
cheers
Lilla
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Yeah, I should have illuminated on that one better. The morals and so forth.
What is your favourite tale?
I'll answer why on my one in my replay to Lilla.
JZ
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
glad you liked what you read.
Come back anytime.
JZ
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
if you need some good spiritual books, GK Chesterton's fictional works are interesting. ESPECIALLY awesome are Lillith and Phantastes by George MacDonald (who CS Lewis said was his literary master and GK Chesterton raved about). Finding them not very easy but most Borders can order them.
The reason I liked the tale I mentioned in particular is the parallel it had with christianity. And because it was hilarious, interesting and very adventurous.
JZ
Comment by Sharky
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Big fan of the series, the Australian DVD box set is sublime.