Submission to the Cause

Have I not known, the value of pride.

Little did I comprehend, the extend of one would do to protect his. In the face of own values and will, pride seems to matter more. I’m not sure how much I do though, never did ask myself that question, because in a way, I think I have none to begin with, because I have, in multiple occasions, discarded them, trading them for skills, knowledge, and reputation. For I find those holds more value.

Still, people are worried, I totally get that. During the Chinese war between Chu and Han, Han Xin, a skilful general was executed after his king won the war and established his dynasty, simply because the general, although won all the battles for his king, he was prideful. He boasted about his ability to command the army better than his king, and able to live up to his own words. So, worried that this general may become a possible threat in the future, the king ordered his execution.

Such a shame, he could have enjoyed being a well-respected veteran, instead he was pierced with bamboos and hung beneath a bronze bell, died in agony.

Aside from the history lesson, I have been thinking about this character, Sun Wukong, the monkey king. Mythology mentioned that he was invincible, ruthless, skilful, almighty. He was able to turn the heavens upside down, trashed Hell to the brim of collapse, and attained immortality. Just when he thought he was truly invincible, he was punished by Buddha, imprisoning him under layers of rock for 500 years.

500 years later did he found absolution? No, immediately upon his release, he was put under a command of a mortal monk, tricked into wearing a golden restrainer headband, and tasked to protect the team to journey to the west for a book.

Sorry, I’m not a religious person, so I tend to wonder: What happened after they got the book? So the heavens granted them positions as Gods, so what?

Sun Wukong never would have wanted the position, by giving him the Godhood, is it truly an absolution? Or another soft- imprisonment for being all powerful? Who is the real benefactor? He is the good guy when he wears the golden headband, what happens when there’s none?

How prideful those questions are indeed, assuming one’s intent even when he has succeeded in his task. Here’s my answer to those questions (which I believe was what the Monkey King thought about when he put on the headband. He would have found it there and knew it was intended for him all along, given his ability):

I am tired of holding on things which has no value for myself. Here’s my pride, you can have it, just so that I can be a better person.