Who has defeated Wukong?

Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, is an incredibly powerful and nearly invincible character, but throughout his mythological journey, he is defeated and humbled several times by various figures. His story is one of transformation and redemption, and much of his defeat is part of the narrative that leads to his growth. Here are some of the key figures and events that led to Wukong’s defeat:

1. The Buddha (Sakyamuni)

One of the most significant moments in Sun Wukong’s life comes when he is defeated by the Buddha. After wreaking havoc in Heaven, challenging the gods, and declaring himself the "Great Sage Equal to Heaven," Wukong’s rebellious nature puts him in direct conflict with the divine order.

• How the Buddha Defeated Wukong: To humble Wukong, the Buddha challenges him to prove his boast of being able to escape any place by offering him a challenge. He asks Wukong to leap to the end of the universe and mark it with his name. Wukong does so, believing that his strength and magic are beyond anyone’s reach. However, upon reaching the "end," Wukong discovers that he has only circled around to the Buddha’s fingers. The Buddha then traps Wukong under a mountain (Mount Five Elements) for 500 years as punishment for his arrogance and rebellion. This defeat marks Wukong’s most significant loss and sets the stage for his eventual redemption.

2. The Jade Emperor and Heavenly Army

Before his encounter with the Buddha, Wukong's rebellious acts led him to clash with the Jade Emperor and the Heavenly Army. Wukong initially challenges Heaven’s authority, causing chaos and even stealing the Peach of Immortality, the Elixir of Life, and the Jade Emperor’s wine.

• Heaven’s Response: In retaliation, the Jade Emperor sends his Heavenly Army to capture Wukong, but they fail miserably. Wukong easily defeats their soldiers and commanders with his magical abilities. Eventually, the General of Heaven, Li Jing, and his army are dispatched to subdue Wukong, but even they struggle against his immense power.
• Defeat: Wukong is only subdued when the Buddha intervenes. Buddha traps him under the Five Elements Mountain, which ultimately serves as his most significant defeat. However, this moment of defeat leads to his eventual redemption, as it becomes the catalyst for Wukong’s role as a protector of the monk Xuanzang on the journey to the West.

3. The Dragon King

In the earlier stages of Wukong's journey, he also goes up against the Dragon Kings of the seas. After Wukong learns that there are powerful weapons in the world, he visits the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea to request a weapon, and the Dragon King offers him a variety of items, but none of them impress Wukong.

• Wukong's Defeat: In his arrogance, Wukong steals the Ruyi Jingu Bang, the Dragon King's magical staff that can shrink and grow at will. The Dragon King attempts to stop Wukong’s theft, but Wukong outsmarts him and escapes with the weapon. While this isn’t a true defeat of Wukong, it demonstrates his conflict with powerful beings.

4. The Four Heavenly Kings

During his rebellious period, Wukong also faces the Four Heavenly Kings, who were sent by the gods to restore order to Heaven. While he initially defeats some of their forces, his eventual defeat comes when the Buddha traps him.

5. Redemption: Xuanzang and the Journey to the West

The Buddha's defeat and imprisonment of Wukong are pivotal in his character development. Wukong is ultimately freed and given a chance for redemption by agreeing to protect Xuanzang, the monk who is on a pilgrimage to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from India. Wukong’s transformation from a rebellious trickster to a loyal protector is one of the central themes of Journey to the West. His greatest defeats and humbling experiences occur throughout this journey, often when he is forced to confront his own pride, impulsiveness, and egotism.

• Through Serving Xuanzang: Wukong faces various demons, monsters, and challenges during the journey. His defeats often come when his impulsive behavior or lack of patience causes problems, but these failures help him grow as a person. By the end of the journey, Wukong has transformed from the rebellious, self-centered character into a wise, loyal protector.

6. The Demon Kings and Other Foes

Throughout his journey with Xuanzang, Wukong faces numerous powerful demon kings and creatures, such as:

• The White Bone Demon (Baigujing)
• The Red Boy (who is the son of the Bull Demon King)
• The Great King of the Underworld, among others.

These demon kings are often powerful enough to defeat or challenge Wukong, but in most cases, Wukong manages to overcome them with the help of his companions, though not always without struggle. His defeats in these encounters tend to highlight his temperament, which often leads to rash decisions, and trusting others, something he has to learn during his journey.

Conclusion: Who Has Defeated Wukong?

Wukong has been defeated by several powerful figures, with the most significant defeats coming at the hands of:

1. The Buddha, who traps him under the mountain for 500 years.
2. The Jade Emperor’s forces and the Heavenly Army, who attempt (unsuccessfully) to subdue his rebelliousness until the intervention of Buddha.
3. Powerful figures like the Dragon King and the Four Heavenly Kings, who represent different aspects of divine order that challenge Wukong’s pride and impulsiveness.

Despite these defeats, Wukong’s story is ultimately one of growth, redemption, and loyalty, with the journey to the West serving as the means through which he becomes a protector of righteousness and a key figure in the Buddhist mythos. His eventual victory comes not just through his strength, but through his transformation into a wiser, more humble character.