In Journey to the West, Tang Monk’s quest for scriptures transcends mere monster-slaying—it ignites transformative civilizational exchanges across Western and South Asian kingdoms.
Nations like Precious Image Kingdom, Black Rooster Kingdom, Cart Slow Kingdom, Woman Kingdom, Scarlet Purple Kingdom, and Bhiksu Kingdom underwent profound changes: from eradicating demonic threats to rebalancing faiths, stabilizing regimes to fostering cultural dialogue. These impacts weave a hidden “societal transformation narrative” behind the pilgrimage.
Ending Demonic Regimes: From Chaos to Stability
Most kingdoms suffered under high-profile demons enslaving or slaughtering civilians. The pilgrims’ demon-slaying crusade restored order and peace.
- Precious Image Kingdom(Precious Elephant Kingdom): The Yellow-Robe Demon abducted Princess Prettier-Than-Flowers (Hundred Flowers’ Shame), terrorizing the palace for 13 years until Sun Wukong’s intervention reunited the royal family and freed citizens from fear.
- Scarlet Purple Kingdom: Golden-Haired Wolf (Guanyin’s mount) as “Jupiter’s Rival” kidnapped Queen Golden-Sage(Golden Sage Palace), tormenting the realm with his Purple-Gold Bells. Wukong cured the king’s lovesick malaise and ended the demon’s annual demand for human sacrifices.
- Bhiksu Kingdom: White Deer Spirit (Star of Longevity’s steed) conspired to harvest 1,111 children’s hearts. Wukong saved the infants and dismantled this genocide, restoring peace.
Core Impact: Eliminating “order-shattering” demons enabled national rebirth.
Rebalancing Belief Systems: From Extremism to Pluralism
The pilgrims resolved oppressive religious conflicts, restoring faith’s true purpose: virtue over dogma.
- Cart Slow Kingdom: Tiger, Goat, and Deer Demons persecuted Buddhists—drowning monks and enforcing anti-Buddhist laws. Wukong’s victory ended their pseudo-Daoist tyranny, prompting the king to renounce persecution while preserving Daoism’s legitimate practices.
- Dharma Destroying Kingdom: The king vowed to execute 10,000 monks (9,996 slain). After Wukong magically turned the court bald, the ruler repented, renamed the Dharma Honoring Kingdom (“Buddha-Revering Land”), and embraced tolerance.
Philosophical Core: True faith transcends Buddhist/Daoist labels—it champions goodness.
Consolidating Royal Authority: Puppets to Sovereigns
Kings regained control from manipulative demons, legitimizing their divine mandate to rule.
- Black Rooster Kingdom: Green Lion Spirit (Manjusri’s mount) drowned the king and ruled as his doppelgänger for three years. Wukong exposed the impostor and resurrected the true monarch, reinforcing “heaven-mandated kingship.”
- Woman Land(Woman Kingdom): The failed marriage proposal (Chapter 54) sparked diplomatic openness. By rejecting isolationism and respecting Tang Monk’s vows, the queen embraced external engagement. Wukong and Bajie also eliminated the Scorpion Spirit—a latent threat.
Political Thesis: Legitimate rulership requires virtue and protection—not just lineage.
Igniting Cultural Interflow: Walls to Bridges
Tang Monk embodied Tang civilization, while the scriptures bridged Eastern and Western cultures.
His journey introduced Chinese culture to remote kingdoms, while returning with Buddhist wisdom catalyzed East-West exchange—prefiguring the historic Silk Road in literary imagination.
The Utopian Vision
Collectively, these impacts reveal Journey to the West’s blueprint for an ideal society:
- Demon-free stability
- Pluralistic spirituality
- Accountable governance
- Cross-cultural dialogue
The pilgrims emerge as architects of this transformed world.
Leave a Reply