Who defeated Wukong?

Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is an incredibly powerful and nearly invincible character in Chinese mythology, particularly in the classic novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en. However, despite his immense strength, cunning, and magical abilities, Wukong was defeated or subdued multiple times throughout the story. The most significant instances where he was defeated or restrained include:

1. The Buddha (Sakyamuni)

• Defeat by the Buddha: The most famous defeat of Sun Wukong happens when he challenges the Buddha. After causing chaos in the Heavens, Wukong is ultimately captured and punished by the Buddha. The Buddha challenges Wukong to leap out of his palm, promising that if Wukong could do so, he would be free. Wukong, thinking he had found the edge of the universe, jumps and leaves his mark on five pillars. However, when he returns, he finds himself trapped by the Buddha’s divine power. The Buddha then seals him beneath a mountain, specifically the Five Elements Mountain (Wu Zhi Shan), where he remains imprisoned for 500 years.

• Why This Defeat Matters: The Buddha's defeat of Wukong is symbolic of Wukong's ultimate humility and realization of his own limits. This defeat represents Wukong's transformation from a reckless, rebellious figure into a more disciplined and enlightened one, especially after being forced to work under the monk Xuanzang during the pilgrimage.

2. The Heavenly Army (Heavenly Court)

• Defeat by the Jade Emperor’s Forces: Before being imprisoned by the Buddha, Wukong was initially defeated by the Heavenly forces in a battle against the army of the Jade Emperor, the ruler of Heaven. Wukong, after eating the Peach of Immortality, gaining magical powers, and wreaking havoc in Heaven, was confronted by the Heavenly Army. While Wukong proved to be too powerful for them, he was eventually outmatched and captured by the divine forces, leading to his imprisonment.

• Why This Defeat Matters: This defeat was due to the collective effort of the gods, which showed that Wukong's individual strength, while immense, was not enough to overpower the united forces of Heaven.

3. The Monk Xuanzang (Tang Seng)

• Control by Xuanzang: While Xuanzang (known as Tang Seng) didn’t physically defeat Wukong, he subdued him through the use of a magic ring known as the “Bajie”. This ring is placed around Wukong’s head, and whenever Xuanzang recites a chant, the ring tightens, causing Wukong great pain. This was used as a form of control, forcing Wukong to follow the monk and protect him during the Journey to the West.

• Why This Is Important: This method of subduing Wukong represents the balance of power in the narrative. Despite Wukong's great power, he is humbled by his need to serve the monk and undergo personal growth.

4. The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu)

• Defeat by the Queen Mother of the West: After Wukong consumes the Peach of Immortality, he also steals other immortality-granting items from the Queen Mother of the West. However, she and other deities eventually retaliate and defeat him. This event led to his imprisonment in the Five Elements Mountain, as mentioned earlier.

5. Wukong's Own Humility and Transformation

• In the grander context of his journey, Wukong’s most significant "defeats" are internal. Through the trials he faces and the teachings of Xuanzang, Wukong learns to control his impulsive nature and temper. His defeat is symbolic of his transformation from a rebellious figure into someone who has learned the values of discipline, wisdom, and patience. By the end of the Journey to the West, Wukong has achieved enlightenment, showing that the true "defeat" of Wukong is overcoming his pride and arrogance.

Summary:

While Sun Wukong was never truly "defeated" in a final sense due to his immense strength and magical abilities, he was captured, imprisoned, and humbled multiple times. The most significant defeats were at the hands of the Buddha, who trapped him under the Five Elements Mountain, and his own spiritual transformation, which was facilitated through the control exerted by Xuanzang.

Wukong's defeat is symbolic of personal growth, humility, and the realization that even the most powerful beings must face limitations and find inner peace.