Journey to the West masterfully integrates China’s three major traditions or religions—Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism—into a cohesive narrative, creating a rich cultural tapestry and unique philosophical-religious foundation.
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Is Wei Zheng Mortal or Divine in Journey to the West?
In Journey to the West, Wei Zheng embodies a dual identity. He is neither fully mortal nor purely divine but a liminal figure ensuring cosmic order—a reminder that even human affairs are threads in the tapestry of heavenly design.
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Where does Subhuti live in Journey to the West?
Subhūti, the mentor of Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), resides in Lingtai Fangcun Mountain (灵台方寸山), Slanted Moon and Three Stars Cave (斜月三星洞), located in the Western Continent of Aparagodānīya in Journey to the West.
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[Journey to the West]The Prototype of Sha Monk
Sha Wujing, also known as Sandy, Friar Sand, or Sha Monk, is the youngest disciple of Tang Sanzang in Journey to the West.
The Prototype of Sha Monk (Sha Wujing) can be traced to multiple images in Buddhist stories and historical documents.
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[Journey to the West]The Parable of “Grinding Bricks into Mirrors”
The allusion to “grinding bricks into mirrors” originates from a Zen Buddhist parable.
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Wukong quotes Confucius’ Analects
Sun Wukong is portrayed in Journey to the West as quick-witted and rhetorically adept. Notably, statistical analyses of the novel reveal that of its approximately 300 cited classical quotations, Sun Wukong alone delivers 110 lines—over a third of the total.
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[Journey to the West]Su Wu Man: Ask at meditation-pass – explained
Chapter 8 of Journey to the West marks the beginning of the quest for Buddhist scriptures. The chapter opens with a poem, titled “Su Wu Man: Inquiring at the Zen Gate” (or “Su Wu Man: Ask at meditation-pass”). It was not composed by the author of Journey to the West but by Master Feng of the Yuan Dynasty.
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