Erlang Shen, also known as “God Erlang” or the “Little Sage”, holds a unique and pivotal position in Journey to the West. Erlang Shen’s victory over Sun Wukong marks a turning point in the novel, forcing the Monkey King to confront his limitations and paving the way for his eventual redemption under Tang Sanzang.
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[Journey to the West]The Origin of Zhu Bajie
The full name of the pig character in Journey to the West is Zhu Bajie, where “Zhu” means “pig” and “Bajie” translates to “Eight Precepts” or “Eight Prohibitions”.
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[Journey to the West]The Supreme Formula of Celestial Immortal
In the novel Journey to the West, Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, learned several crucial skills and knowledge from his first master, Subhuti. Key highlights include:
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[Journey to the West]Monkey of the Mind
The journey of the Tang Monk and his disciples is, in essence, an inward pilgrimage. Buddhist and Taoist perspectives play a vital role in shaping this spiritual allegory.
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How do they tell time at night in Journey to the West?
The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches were a system used in ancient China to mark years, months, days, and hours. In Journey to the West, the universe is divided into 12 cyclical periods, each named after the Earthly Branches. Similarly, ancient Chinese divided the day into 12 segments, also named after these branches. For example, master Subhuti taught Sun Wukong the path to immortality at midnight, called Zi hour, which spans 11 PM to 1 AM.
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How did Wukong measure time without clocks?
In Journey to the West, how did the Monkey King measure time on Lingtai Fangcun Mountain without clocks or calendars?
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Versions and Alternative Titles of Journey to the West
Journey to the West (Xiyouji) is a literary masterpiece rooted in the historical pilgrimage of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang (602–664 CE) to India in search of Buddhist scriptures. Over centuries of layered cultural creation, it absorbed diverse influences—myths, folklore, religious teachings, and performative arts—to evolve into a literary classic blending adventurous storytelling with philosophical depth.
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