SuaveG – The Gentle Path – Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

Why does Wukong hold great respect for the Gold Star of Venus?

April 19, 2025

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Juan

In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong(the Monkey King) is notoriously prideful, showing little deference to most gods and buddhas—even high-ranking figures like the Jade Emperor, Tathagata Buddha, and Laozi. However, he harbors genuine respect for two deities: Guanyin Bodhisattva and Taibai Jinxing (the Great White Star, also known as the Golden Star of…

The Ullambana Festival and Journey to the West

April 19, 2025

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Juan

The Ullambana Festival(also known as the Feast of the Ullambana Bowl), a traditional Buddhist ceremony, originated during the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, and is observed annually on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month.

How many demons are in Journey to the West?

April 19, 2025

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Juan

In Journey to the West, there are 132 major demons alongside countless minor ones. These major demons are distributed across the four continents as follows:

The hidden purpose of the Pilgrimage to the West

April 19, 2025

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Juan

On the surface, the stated goal of the westward journey to retrieve Buddhist scriptures is to fulfill Emperor Taizong of Tang’s desire for Mahayana teachings to “save lost souls” and redeem his own karmic debts.

[Journey to the West] The secret of a mortal living 270 years

April 18, 2025

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Juan

In Journey to the West, immortality is the common aspiration eagerly pursued by deities, demons, cultivators, and mortals alike. Immortals and deities often boast lifespans spanning thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

Nine-Headed Insect and Journey to the West

April 18, 2025

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Juan

The Nine-Headed Insect, also known as the Nine-Headed Bird or Nine-Headed Avian, is a mythical creature in Chinese legends and serves as the original inspiration for the Nine-Headed Insect featured in the mythological novel Journey to the West.