Talk:Wukong/@comment-202.156.10.14-20111123152330/@comment-76.78.154.99-20111130224039

If you read a version of the actual story passed down orally for generations the monkey king never achieves nirvana. However, in all iterations of the epic - including modern ones - the monkey king is a disciple to someone else who actually does achieve enlightenment (Tripitaka is usually the name of this monk). Personally, I think it's fitting that he's Yi's disciple. Since Yi is so reflective.

Also, people don't worship the monkey king just as people don't worship Ulysses. He's just from an age old tale that is quite a good read (The Monkey King has definitely become a major part of Chinese culture though, no arguments there).