SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Tag: Chinese culture

  • [Journey to the West] Return to China

    The novel Journey to the West concludes its legend with a triumphant homecoming, sparing little detail on the return journey.

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  • The Apricot Immortal in Journey to the West

    In ancient Chinese mythology, plants and flowers can cultivate spiritual awareness over centuries, transforming into demons or immortals. Journey to the West features such beings, notably in Chapter 64, where tree spirits—including the Apricot Immortal—play pivotal roles.

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  • [Journey to the West] Devaraja Li and his pagoda

    In Journey to the West, Devaraja Li (also known as Heavenly King Li, Li Jing, Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King or Devaraja Pagoda-Bearer) is the supreme military commander serving the Jade Emperor. His character merges the Buddhist deva-king archetype (Buddhist guardian deity Vaiśravana, one of the Four Heavenly Kings) with the historical General Li Jing from Emperor Tang Taizong’s court, a fascinating blend of Buddhist cosmology and Chinese Daoist mythology.

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  • Sworn Brotherhoods in Journey to the West

    The term “Sworn Brotherhood of Eight Bows” refers to an oath-bound fraternal bond in Chinese culture, signifying an exceptionally close, brotherly relationship. Rooted in ancient traditions, such sworn alliances were considered sacred and lifelong commitments.

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  • The Five Elements in Journey to the West

    The Five Elements (Wu Xing) in Chinese culture are a framework for classifying and explaining the interactions and relationships between all phenomena. These elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—each possess distinct characteristics and correspond to various natural and human aspects, including directions, seasons, colors, organs, flavors, and emotions.

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  • Why is the Dao De Jing Difficult to Understand?‌

    The Dao De Jing (or Tao Te Ching) is a pivotal philosophical classic of ancient China. Its concepts, such as the “‌Unity of Heaven and Humanity‌” and the “‌harmony of Yin and Yang‌,” have deeply influenced fields like traditional Chinese medicine and art, shaping the unique ethos of Chinese civilization. Many readers drawn to Chinese culture aspire to study the Dao De Jing, yet they often encounter significant challenges.

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  • What you should know before reading the Dao De Jing?

    For new readers of the Dao De Jing, there are two essential points to understand beforehand.

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