Learning from the Lion Camel Ridge Tribulation in Journey to the West

(Minghui.org) I have read the novel Journey to the West in the past and enjoyed reading one of the stories a lot. With the assistance of three disciples, including the Monkey King, Monk Tang overcame a lot of difficulties and eventually succeeded in his spiritual journey. As a Falun Dafa practitioner, I recently realized some incidents in Journey to the West are a reminder of my cultivation practice.

One example is the incident at Lion Camel Ridge, which spanned Chapters 74 to 77 in this 100-chapter novel. The three monsters were very capable and even the Monkey King could not defeat them. In the end, the Monkey King had no choice but to ask the Buddha for help.

This tribulation occurred in the last quarter of the book. Also, the Lion Camel Ridge is close to Spirit Mountain, the residence of the Buddha. So theoretically, there should be few or no powerful violent monsters at that location. Yet, little did Monk Tang and his disciples know that they would encounter such a major – almost fatal – test when attempting the last stretch of the journey.

Having practiced Falun Dafa for many years, I think this tribulation described in Journey to the West is somewhat similar to the ordeals Falun Dafa is experiencing overseas. Many practitioners have shared their understandings on Minghui about this. The expectation for Dafa practitioners are serious. Master wrote, “Dafa is the Way of the universe, and it is beyond harm’s reach. What is really happening in this world is that Dafa is saving lives!” (“Critical Times Reveal One’s Spiritual State”)

That is, only when we are fully aligned with Dafa can we help save people. Dafa gives the mighty virtue of saving people to us. But if we are selfish, arrogant, and fail to have the proper respect for Dafa, things will not work out.

Talking about the tribulation at Lion Camel Ridge, the disciples of Monk Tang had all kinds of attachments, such as showing off, zealotry, and competitiveness. That was how they fell. In the meantime, they had faith in Buddha and decided to forge ahead despite any difficulties. Of course, during this process, the Monkey King also fully used his supernormal abilities and wisdom as needed.

Master wrote,

“I know that in fact fifteen percent of the karma still remains to be dealt with as we go about saving lives. That is what’s left after twenty-some years of working to save lives. It is a huge amount, I know. And for this reason things that spell enormous pressure for me, as well as burdens for me, will keep coming, one after another. Saving lives is difficult; it’s not as simple as it sounds.” (“The Ordeals Our Spiritual Discipline Faces”)

Therefore, when facing these challenges, it is important for us to keep faith in Falun Dafa and Master Li. We need to eliminate attachments and human notions, and have a purer heart. We need to fully utilize the supernormal power and wisdom granted us by Dafa. In doing so, we will see the power of Dafa – because we have met the criteria for being Falun Dafa disciples.