| Puti Zhushi | |
| Piccap: | An illustration of Puti Zhushi teaching Sun Wukong to the method of "cloud-somersaulting" |
| L: | Patriarch Bodhi |
| T: | 須菩提祖師 |
| S: | 须菩提祖师 |
| P: | Xūpútí Zǔshī |
Puti Zushi, also known as Master Bodhi, Patriarch Bodhi or Patriarch Subodhi, is a character from the 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West. The character is believed to be derived from Subhūti, one of the ten principal disciples of the Buddha.[1] [2]
Puti was a mentor of the protagonist, the Monkey King (known as Sun Wukong in Chinese), endowing him with supernatural powers through Taoist practices. These include the "seventy-two earthly transformations"[3] (shape-shifting abilities), immortality, and cloud-somersaulting, the ability to traverse 108,000 li (used as a synonym for "indefinitely large number", although literally a distance of ~54,000 km) in one somersault.[4]
Sun Wukong's first meeting with Master Puti is believed to be based on the story of Huineng's Introduction to Hongren, as told in the Platform Sūtra of Zen Buddhism. Because of the role that Subhūti plays in the story, his name has remained familiar in Chinese culture.[5] He is described as proficient in both Taoist and Buddhists practices.
The Monkey King donned human attire and embarked on a profound quest for enlightenment and the path to immortality, traversing vast distances over many years. After a long journey, the Monkey King reached the shore and beheld a majestic mountain. Intrigued, he scaled its heights to admire the view. Amidst his contemplation, he heard a distant melody echoing from the depths of the forest—a song known as "Full Court of Flowers". Intriguingly, the lyrics referenced the profound Yellow Court Scripture. Filled with delight, the Monkey King leapt into the forest to explore further. To his astonishment, he encountered a woodcutter who revealed the existence of a cave dwelling where the celestial Master Puti resided. Grateful for the woodcutter's guidance, the Monkey King embarked on a journey and eventually discovered a sealed cave entrance after several miles. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a celestial child appeared, recognizing the Monkey King as the awaited seeker of the Way. With enthusiasm, the Monkey King confirmed his identity and followed the celestial child into the cave's depths, where the Master delivered his teachings.[6]
The Monkey King witnessed Master Puti seated on a jade platform with celestial attendants. Master Puti inquired about his origins and recognized him as a creation of heaven and earth. Noticing his resemblance to a pinecone-eating macaque, Master Puti bestowed upon him the name Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong enthusiastically immersed himself in studying scriptures and discussing the Dao with fellow disciples. He diligently maintained the grounds without realizing that years had passed, amounting to six or seven. One day, as Master Puti delivered a sermon, Sun Wukong expressed his unwavering pursuit of eternal life, disregarding other teachings. In response, Master Puti struck his head thrice and closed the central gate, leaving others bewildered but Sun Wukong understanding the message. At the designated time, he secretly entered through the back gate for private teachings. Master Puti was pleased and revealed the secrets of immortality. After three years, he also taught Sun Wukong the seventy-two transformations to protect against the "Three Calamities". Sun Wukong memorized and diligently practiced the techniques until he mastered them all.[6] [7]
One day, the Master and the disciples gathered to admire the evening glow outside the cave. The Master asked Wukong about his progress in his studies, to which Wukong boasted about being able to fly with the glow. The Master then asked Wukong to demonstrate his ability to fly. However, Wukong could only rise about five or six zhang (Chinese unit of length) above the ground and traveled a distance of merely three li (Chinese unit of distance) before descending. The Master burst into laughter and said, "This cannot be considered flying with the clouds; it's more like crawling on them". Wukong, feeling disappointed, begged the Master to teach him a better method. Recognizing Wukong's somersaulting skills, the Master taught him the somersault cloud technique, enabling Wukong to travel tens of thousands of miles in a single somersault. Master Puti foresaw the flaws in his disciple's character, most notably his ego and amorality; therefore, he would later request Sun Wukong to keep his discipleship a secret.[6]
On another day, the disciples gathered under a pine tree for a discussion, and they requested Wukong to demonstrate his transformative abilities. Wukong transformed into a pine tree, amusing the disciples who applauded and laughed. However, their commotion caught the attention of the Master. Outraged by Wukong's show-off, the Master commanded Wukong to go back to where he came from and never claim to be his disciple again. Helpless, Wukong bid farewell to his master. He advises Sun Wukong never to needlessly show off his skills, because others might ask him to teach them, and if he does teach them, they may go on to cause trouble, but if he doesn't teach them, they will resent him for it. He then forbids Sun Wukong from ever revealing who it was that taught him, and the loyal Monkey King promises never to reveal the identity of his Master. With that, Sun Wukong wakes up to find himself back in the forest, realizing that the many years he spent learning the Way had taken place in some form of compressed time trance. Later, whenever Sun Wukong is asked about his powers and skills, he honestly replies that he learned everything in his dreams.[6]
Liu Yinbo, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Arts, said: "This patriarch is neither a conventional Buddhist nor a pure Taoist. He embodies the integration of the three teachings and is a versatile scholar familiar with various schools of thought. In addition, this patriarch has extensive worldly experience and understands the harsh realities of the world, the fickleness of human nature, and the strategies for dealing with them".[8]
Professors Li Shibing from Shanghai Normal University, and editor-in-chief at Fudan University, said: "The patriarch Puti excelled in various fields of knowledge and integrated them into his own. He possessed the ability to delve deep into a subject and transcend its limitations. Not only did he have the courage to break the boundaries of religious teachings, but he also had the capability to transcend the boundaries of knowledge. Such an individual possessed boundless thoughts, limitless knowledge, and extraordinary powers. Consequently, Sun Wukong not only acquired the ability to create chaos in the heavenly palace and defeat gods but also developed the audacity to defy authority and reject conformity. In fact, Puti's teachings to Wukong went beyond the confines of conventional methods. Consequently, Wukong caused a great calamity in the heavenly palace, yet no one knew the source of his teachings. Perhaps Puti's supernatural powers were constantly evolving and unfathomable, and Wukong only grasped the surface, which is why no one could discern his lineage. Alternatively, it may be inherent in Puti's teaching to be obscure and unrecognizable. Immortals in the three realms may adhere to Buddhism or Daoism, or they may use Buddhism and Daoism to enhance their prestige. However, Puti's profound wisdom and knowledge surpassed both Buddhism and Daoism while remaining hidden from them".[9]