The two Demons then planned to take their two most precious things, a yellow gourd and a jade vase, and try to bottle the Monkey.  They arranged to carry them upside down and call out the Monkey’s name.  If he replied, then he would be inside, and they could seal him up, using the seal of the great Ancient of Days, the dweller in the mansion of T’ai Sui. [35]

The Monkey under the Mountain

When the Monkey found that he was being crushed under the mountain he was greatly distressed about his Master, and cried out:  “Oh, Master, you delivered me from under the mountain before, and trained me in religion; how is it that you have brought me to this pass?  If you must die, why should Sha Ho-shang and Pa-chieh and the Dragon-horse also suffer?” Then his tears poured down like rain.

The spirits of the mountain were astonished at hearing these words.  The guardian angels of the Five Religions asked:  “Whose is this mountain, and who is crushed beneath it?” The local gods replied:  “The mountain is ours, but who is under it we do not know.”  “If you do not know,” the angels replied, “we will tell you.  It is the Great Holy One, the Equal of Heaven, who rebelled there five hundred years ago.  He is now converted, and is the disciple of the Chinese ambassador.  How dare you lend your mountain to the Demon for such a purpose?” The guardian angels and local gods then recited some prayers, and the mountain was removed.  The Monkey sprang up, brandishing his spear, and the spirits at once apologized, saying that they were under enforced service to the Demons.

While they were speaking Sun saw a light approaching, and asked what it was.  The spirits replied:  “This light comes from the Demons’ magic treasures.  We fear they are bringing them to catch you.”  Sun then said:  “Now we shall have some sport.  Who is the Demon-chief’s associate?” “He is a Taoist,” they replied, “who is always occupied in preparing chemicals.”  The Monkey said:  “Leave me, and I will catch them myself.”  He then transformed himself into a duplicate of the Taoist.

The Magic Gourd

Sun went to meet the Demons, and in conversation learnt from them that they were on their way to catch the famous Monkey, and that the magic gourd and vase were for that purpose.  They showed these treasures to him, and explained that the gourd, though small, could hold a thousand people.  “That is nothing,” replied Sun.  “I have a gourd which can contain all the heavens.”  At this they marvelled greatly, and made a bargain with him, according to which he was to give them his gourd, after it had been tested as to its capacity to contain the heavens, in exchange for their precious gourd and vase.  Going up to Heaven, the Monkey obtained permission to extinguish the light of the sun, moon, and stars for one hour.  At noon the next day there was complete darkness, and the Demons believed Sun when he stated that he had put the whole heavens into his gourd so that there could be no light.  They then handed over to the Monkey their magic gourd and vase, and in exchange he gave them his false gourd.