In Journey to the West, Master Subodhi (Subhuti) and Zen Master Wu Chao stand out as two of the most enigmatic figures. Both characters make only brief appearances in the novel before vanishing without a trace. Despite their fleeting presence, they play pivotal roles in shaping the story’s progression and spiritual undertones.
Zen Master Wu Chao: The Bird’s Nest Sage
Unlike other monks who would usually reside in temples or sometimes caves, this Crow’s Nest Chan Master habits in a nest, just like a crow’s nest, atop a tree on Pagoda Mountain, a site symbolizing spiritual ascension.
He imparts the Heart Sutra to Tang Sanzang. The Heart Sutra he shares foreshadows the trials of the pilgrimage, guiding Tang Sanzang to inner clarity amid external chaos.
Historical Inspiration
Zen Master Wu Chao’s character is inspired by the Tang Dynasty’s Bird’s Nest Monk, a renowned Zen ascetic. Historical records describe him living in a tree nest for over 40 years, embodying the Buddhist ideal of detachment from worldly comforts. While the archetype of Crow’s Nest Chan Master is widely believed to be the Bird’s Nest Monk in Tang Dynasty. The person who imparted the Heart Sutra to Monk Xuanzang was indeed someone else.
According to legend, Xuanzang studied Buddhism in Sichuan province. One day, he encountered a gravely ill person on the road. He brought the person to the temple, cared for him, and helped him recover. After the person healed, he gifted Xuanzang a Sanskrit copy of the Heart Sutra as a token of gratitude. The sutra’s teachings guided Xuanzang through hardships in his journey to India.
After returning to China, Xuanzang translated the Heart Sutra into Chinese. Xuanzang’s translation resolved discrepancies in earlier Chinese versions, standardizing the text for future generations. His version is the most widely circulated Chinese translation today. The Heart Sutra remains a vital part of East Asian Buddhist liturgy, chanted in temples and by laypeople for wisdom and protection.
Fusion of myth, legend, and historical elements
While this story is rooted in folklore, Journey to the West reimagines the Heart Sutra’s origin. In the novel, Tang Sanzang receives the sutra from Crow’s Nest Chan Master, the enigmatic “Bird’s Nest Monk,” who recites it to guide the pilgrims through spiritual trials.
The sutra’s themes of emptiness and liberation from suffering mirror Xuanzang’s compassionate act in the legend, reinforcing Buddhism’s emphasis on karma and merit.
The appearance of Xuanzang, the Black Nest Chan Master, and the Heart Sutra in Journey to the West exemplifies the artistic creation and fusion of myth, legend, and historical elements, showcasing how these narratives intertwine in cultural storytelling.
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