183 Beijing Operas - Sakyamuni - Number 227

Sakyamuni

Beijing Opera - "The True and False Monkey King"

Sakyamuni with a gold fairy face has a role in the opera "The True and False Monkey King." At one point in his journey to India, the monk Sanzong is waylaid by a band of robbers. Monkey kills them all, but Sanzong accuses him of being too cruel and sends him away. After Monkey leaves, a six-eared Macaque poses as Monkey comes and steals Sanzong's belongings. Guanyin the Goddess to Mercy sends Monkey back to subdue the imposter, but the two monkeys are so alike that no one, in Heaven or on Earth, can tell which one is the real Monkey King. Finally, the two are brought before Sakyamuni Buddha who sees through the macaque's disguise and exposes him. Before he can escape, Monkey strikes him down with his golden rod.