SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Tag: Buddha

From Stone Monkey to Handsome Monkey King

Born from a mystical stone, Sun Wukong gains power through sheer ambition. After discovering the Water Curtain Cave, he declares himself the Handsome Monkey King, rallying the monkey tribe under his rule.
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April 16, 2025
[Journey to the West] Symbolism of Flower-Fruit Mountain

The Mountain of Flowers and Fruits is the legendary birthplace and kingdom of Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) in Journey to the West. While its name superficially refers to its lush flora, it carries profound Buddhist symbolism.
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April 15, 2025
[Journey to the West]Subhuti vs. Tathagata Buddha

As Sun Wukong’s first teacher, Master Subhuti plays a pivotal role in Journey to the West. He imparts Wukong with supernatural abilities, including the 72 Transformations and Cloud Somersault. However, after his initial appearance, Subhuti vanishes mysteriously and is never mentioned again, leaving his fate as enigmatic as that of Zen Master Wu Chao.
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April 15, 2025
[Journey to the West]Conflict and Reconciliation of Religions from Zhen Yuanzi’s Perspective

In traditional Chinese culture, the conflict and fusion between Buddhism and Taoism underwent a prolonged historical process, a phenomenon vividly expressed and embodied in Journey to the West.
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April 12, 2025
[Journey to the West]Guanyin Bodhisattva and Zen Master Wu Chao

In Journey to the West, Zen Master Wu Chao (Crow’s Nest Zen Master) is a mysterious, wise monk who imparts the Heart Sutra to Tang Sanzang and foretells the pilgrims’ trials. Despite his enlightened demeanor, Sun Wukong harbors deep resentment toward him, culminating in a violent attack.
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April 12, 2025
[Journey to the West]Why Did the Black Bear Spirit Steal the Cassock?

The Black Bear Spirit, also known as the Black Bear Monster or Black Wind King, is a unique demon in Journey to the West.
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April 11, 2025
Why Wukong burned down the Guanyin Temple?

In Journey to the West, the Guanyin Zen Monastery (also known as Guanyin Hall, Guanyin Zen Temple or Guanyin Chan Hall) is the domain of the Goddess Guanyin Bodhisattva. Sun Wukong’s fiery destruction of the monastery was both accidental and inevitable.
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April 11, 2025
Strength, Mana and Authority in Journey to the West

In Journey to the West, power manifests in multiple forms, making it difficult to rank deities and demons by dominance alone. The novel distinguishes three key types of power.
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April 10, 2025
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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April 8, 2025