As Sun Wukong’s first teacher, Master Subhuti plays a pivotal role in Journey to the West. He imparts Wukong with supernatural abilities, including the 72 Transformations and Cloud Somersault. However, after his initial appearance, Subhuti vanishes mysteriously and is never mentioned again, leaving his fate as enigmatic as that of Zen Master Wu Chao.
(more…)Category: Journey to the West
-
[Journey to the West]What time did emperors and officials of ancient China begin their work?
From Journey to the West, we learn that ancient Chinese emperors and officials typically commenced their court sessions around the fifth watch.
(more…) -
Wukong and the Zen Patriarch
In an earlier post, we explained how the Monkey King measure time without clocks on Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. We found that his master Subhuti’s “Three Watches Agreement” actually draws inspiration from a Chan (Zen) Buddhist parable, the secret dharma transmission to the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng. Today, we will delve deeper into this topic to uncover more intriguing narratives and contextualize more undisclosed details.
(more…) -
Has the Monkey King ever eaten human flesh?
In Journey to the West, the question of whether Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) consumes human flesh is a topic of debate. While many demons, including Tang Sanzang’s disciples Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) and Sha Wujing (Sandy), have cannibalistic pasts, Wukong’s relationship with human flesh is more complex and symbolic.
(more…) -
[Journey to the West]Conflict and Reconciliation of Religions from Zhen Yuanzi’s Perspective
In traditional Chinese culture, the conflict and fusion between Buddhism and Taoism underwent a prolonged historical process, a phenomenon vividly expressed and embodied in Journey to the West.
(more…) -
The Heart Sutra and Journey to the West
We all know that Journey to the West recounts the story of Master Xuanzang and his disciples traveling westward to seek Buddhist scriptures.
(more…)