Sun Wukong set out to seek the method of immortality and eventually arrived at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain after wandering around. The original text describes the scenery as follows:
"The mist and clouds scatter colors, and the sun and moon shake light. Thousands of ancient cypresses and countless bamboo trees. The ancient cypresses are half-drenched in rain, and the bamboo trees are green with smoke. Outside the gate, there are beautiful flowers and fragrant grasses by the bridge. The stone cliffs are steep and covered with green moss. Sometimes you can hear the cries of immortal cranes and see the phoenix flying. When the immortal cranes cry, their sound resonates in the sky, and when the phoenix flies, its colorful feathers create a cloud of light. The black monkeys and white deer can be seen hiding, and the golden lions and jade elephants roam freely. Looking closely at this blessed land, it truly resembles heaven! However, the cave gate is tightly closed and there is no sign of anyone. Suddenly, I turned around and saw a stone tablet standing on the cliff. It was about three zhang high and eight chi wide, with ten large characters written on it: 'Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Xieyue Sanxing Cave.' The Monkey King was overjoyed and said, 'The people here are indeed simple and honest. This mountain and cave really exist.' After observing for a while, he did not dare to knock on the door. Instead, he jumped onto a pine branch and picked pine nuts to play with."
Afterwards, a boy led Wukong to meet the Patriarch Bodhi. As Wukong's first master, the identity of Patriarch Bodhi has always been a subject of debate. In the original work, the woodcutter referred to him as Xuputi, but later on, he was referred to as Patriarch Bodhi or simply the Patriarch. Xuputi is one of the ten disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha in Buddhist culture. According to Buddhist scriptures, each of the ten disciples had their own specialties, and Xuputi was known for his understanding of emptiness. The Diamond Sutra records the dialogue between the master and disciple, with the master being Shakyamuni Buddha and the disciple being Xuputi. The Diamond Sutra provides the ultimate interpretation of emptiness and has been highly regarded throughout the ages. As mentioned earlier, Sun Wukong represents a heart, and the first question in the Diamond Sutra is "How can one subdue their mind?" It is reasonable for Journey to the West to arrange for Xuputi to subdue Sun Wukong. Xuputi was later simplified to Bodhi. In Buddhism, Bodhi is the transliteration of the Sanskrit word for enlightenment. When a person decides to cultivate their mind, they must first develop the Bodhi mind in order to have a goal and direction. Bodhi Patriarch + Sun Wukong = Bodhi mind. At this point, many people may think that the Patriarch Bodhi is Xuputi, but in the original text, when Sun Wukong first saw the Patriarch Bodhi, there was a poem:
"The great awakened golden immortal has an unblemished appearance, the wonderful form of the ancestral Bodhi in the Western Pure Land; neither born nor destroyed, the three realms are all accomplished, full of vitality and compassion. Emptiness and tranquility naturally follow changes, the true nature is free to do as it pleases; with the same lifespan as heaven, a dignified body, a master of clear mind through the ages."
This poem is characterized by the blending of Buddhism and Taoism:
The great awakened golden immortal has an unblemished appearance, (Taoism)
The wonderful form of the ancestral Bodhi in the Western Pure Land; (Buddhism)
Neither born nor destroyed, the three realms are all accomplished, (Buddhism)
Full of vitality and compassion. (Taoism)
Emptiness and tranquility naturally follow changes, (Taoism)
The true nature is free to do as it pleases; (Buddhism)
With the same lifespan as heaven, a dignified body, (Taoism)
A master of clear mind through the ages. (Buddhism)
Later on, when talking about the great way, it is mentioned:
"The flowers fall from the sky, and golden lotuses emerge from the ground. The wonderful performance of the three teachings, encompassing all the subtle laws. Slowly waving the deer's tail, spraying pearls and jade, the sound resonates like thunder shaking the nine heavens. Sometimes talking about the Tao, sometimes discussing meditation, the three teachings complement each other. Opening up one word to devote oneself to the truth, guiding the unborn and the nature of mystery."
It is clear that the Patriarch Bodhi is well-versed in the three teachings. In religious culture, there is a term called "manifestation," which means that when a person needs help, the representatives of the "Way" will take on a suitable identity to assist them. In Taoism, there are 81 transformations of Laozi, and in Buddhism, there is the idea of "what form to take to deliver someone, that is the form to appear in." The Patriarch Bodhi is the embodiment of this manifestation culture in literature.
After Sun Wukong became a disciple of the Patriarch Bodhi, he learned miscellaneous tasks from his senior brothers for six or seven years. After six or seven years, the Patriarch Bodhi gave a sermon, and Sun Wukong danced with joy, attracting the attention of the Patriarch Bodhi. The Patriarch then asked Wukong what kind of Tao he wanted to learn. Sun Wukong replied that he was willing to learn whatever the Patriarch deemed suitable. The Patriarch then taught him the "art," "flow," "stillness," and "movement" methods, but Sun Wukong realized that none of them could grant him immortality, so he refused to learn. The Patriarch then asked him which of the 360 side doors of the "Tao" he wanted to learn. Sun Wukong replied that he would follow the Patriarch's guidance. The Patriarch then taught him the "art" method, but Sun Wukong realized that it could not grant him immortality. The Patriarch then taught him the "flow" method, but Sun Wukong realized that it was not a path to immortality. The Patriarch then taught him the "stillness" method, but Sun Wukong realized that it was not a path to immortality. Finally, the Patriarch taught him the "movement" method, but Sun Wukong realized that it was not a path to immortality. The Patriarch then struck Sun Wukong three times on the head and walked into the gate with his hands behind his back.
The Patriarch Bodhi did not appear again after teaching Sun Wukong. Characters like Xuputi in Chinese literary works are very common and represent the image of a teacher who can impart great knowledge to others.