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.

This is vividly reflected in the novel’s chapter titles and character epithets. For instance, Sun Wukong is symbolically called:

• “Monkey of the Mind”: Representing the restless, impulsive nature of human thoughts.
• “Horse of the Mind”: Symbolizing the wandering, untamed quality of consciousness.

These names carry profound religious connotations, alluding to the challenge of calming the mind. Buddhist and Taoist teachings liken an undisciplined mind to “a monkey leaping and a horse galloping”—uncontrollable, chaotic, and perpetually distracted.

Philosophical Context

• Buddhism: The metaphor of the “mind-monkey” and “thought-horse” underscores the need to tame mental restlessness through meditation and ethical discipline, as outlined in practices like the Eightfold Path.
• Taoism: Aligning with concepts such as wu wei (effortless action), the journey mirrors the internal alchemy of refining one’s spirit (xing) and vital energy (ming).

Throughout Journey to the West, Sun Wukong’s rebellious antics and eventual redemption parallel the Buddhist path of transforming primal desires into enlightened wisdom. The “81 tribulations” faced by the pilgrims are not merely external obstacles but metaphors for inner conflicts—greed, anger, and delusion—that must be overcome to attain liberation.

By framing the adventure as a quest to pacify the mind, the novel transcends its fantastical surface, offering timeless insights into the human condition and the universal struggle for self-mastery.