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.
It expresses the arduous path to enlightenment: countless trials must be overcome to attain the highest state of Buddhism. Below is an overview of its meaning:
I ask: How many among those who seek enlightenment at the Buddhist gate
Truly achieve mastery before their lives end?
Most cling to futile pursuits—
Grinding bricks into mirrors,
Piling snow as grain—delusions that bind them.
Yet the Dharma’s truth is boundless.
When Zen is deeply grasped,
A single flower reveals the cosmos,
A lone leaf embodies Tathāgata’s essence.
A hair’s breadth holds the sea;
A mustard seed enfolds mountains.
When the Buddha held up a flower at Vulture Peak,
Only Mahākāśyapa smiled in understanding—
Silence spoke the ultimate teaching.
To awaken is to transcend suffering and samsara’s wheel.
Before desireless cliffs,
Under shadowless Bodhi trees,
Who hears the cuckoo’s spring cry?
The path to Caoxi is treacherous,
Vulture Peak shrouded in clouds—
Where to find the ancient sages?
Yet atop icy cliffs a thousand feet high,
Five-petaled lotuses bloom,
Ancient shrines veiled in incense smoke.
There, one discerns Buddhism’s origins—
The Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.
Contextual Link to Journey to the West
While not part of the novel, this poem resonates with themes central to Journey to the West:
- Zen and Enlightenment: Mirroring Tang Sanzang’s quest for scriptures, the poem underscores the arduous path to Buddhist awakening.
- Illusion vs. Truth: The metaphor of “grinding bricks into mirrors” parallels Sun Wukong’s journey from arrogance to wisdom, shedding delusions.
- Silent Transmission: The Buddha’s wordless teaching to Mahākāśyapa reflects the novel’s emphasis on intuitive wisdom over dogma.
The poem’s imagery—icy cliffs, lotuses, and ancient shrines—evokes the mystical landscapes traversed by the pilgrims, blending Zen philosophy with the novel’s allegorical depth.
Note: Su Wu Man (Su Wu at Slow Pace) is a classical cipai, a poetic form tied to specific melodic rhythms. The title honors Su Wu, the Han diplomat symbolizing loyalty—a virtue mirrored in the pilgrims’ unwavering resolve. You can find more details about Ask at meditation-pass – the lyric Su Wu at Slow Pace.
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