Immortality and Journey to the West

In many cultures, immortality is regarded as a noble ideal. Ancient Chinese myths, legends, and texts are rich with stories and figures pursuing eternal life.

For instance, Emperor Qin Shi Huang dispatched emissaries to seek the elixir of immortality across the seas, and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty became obsessed with immortality arts.

In Journey to the West, immortality is a central pursuit—from demons to deities, all crave it. It serves as a central theme that drives the narrative and reflects profound philosophical inquiries into life, desire, and enlightenment.

Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, epitomizes this quest. Shortly after becoming king of his tribe, he grows fearful of death and embarks on a journey to achieve immortality through practice. He crosses mountains and seas to reach the Fangcun Mountain, where his master Subhuti teaches him the secrets of eternal life.

His rebellion against the Jade Emperor and erasure of the Death Registry symbolize humanity’s defiance of natural limits, yet his eventual Buddhist enlightenment reveals that true immortality lies in spiritual liberation, not physical permanence‌.

The legend that “eating Tang Sanzang’s flesh grants immortality” becomes a recurring plot device. This myth transforms immortality into a symbol of desire, testing both the pilgrims’ resolve and the demons’ greed.

In Journey to the West, resources like Peaches of Immortality and Ginseng Fruit merely delay, not eliminate, mortality‌.

Methods of Prolonging Life in Journey to the West

• Peaches of Immortality: Grown in the heavenly orchard of the Queen Mother of the West, these peaches grant immense longevity to those who eat them.
• Ginseng Fruit: A treasure guarded by Zhenyuan Daxian (Great Immortal Zhenyuan), consuming this fruit extends one’s lifespan.
• Elixir of Taishang Laojun/Laozi: Crafted by the Taoist deity Taishang Laojun (Lord Lao Zi, the deified form of philosopher Laozi), this elixir is famed for its life-extending properties.
• Cultivation and Practice: Many immortals achieve longevity through decades or centuries of meditation, asceticism, and spiritual discipline.

The Illusion of True Immortality

Despite these methods, true immortality remains elusive. Demons and cultivators alike cannot escape mortality simply by eating Tang Sanzang’s flesh, heavenly peaches, or ginseng fruit. The universe in Journey to the West operates on a cosmic lifespan of 129,600 years—a cycle after which heaven and earth reset to primordial chaos, obliterating all existence. Even gods, immortals, saints, and Buddhas face eventual dissolution.

Thus, “immortality” in the novel refers not to eternal existence but to an extremely prolonged lifespan, aligning with the duration of the cosmic cycle. This reflects Buddhist philosophies, where liberation from suffering—not literal eternity—is the ultimate goal.

Symbolism

The pursuit of immortality mirrors humanity’s timeless struggle against mortality, blending ambition, folly, and spiritual yearning.

Journey to the West uses “immortality” to explore humanity’s deepest fears and aspirations. It reveals that while the pursuit of longevity sparks spiritual journeys, obsession with it leads to moral decay. The ultimate truth lies in: embracing impermanence and shedding attachment to achieve “immortality” as transcendent wisdom‌.

Sun Wukong’s journey—from rebellious monkey to enlightened protector—embodies the tension between earthly desires and transcendent wisdom.