A lustrous pearl of mani he is indeed, Immune to all spears and swords. He could be good; He could be bad; Present good and evil he could do at will. He'd be an immortal, a buddha, if he's good; Wickedness would coat him with hair and horn. Endlessly changing he runs amok Not to be seized by fighting lords or thunder gods. -- The Journey to the West (Chinese epic, 16th C.)