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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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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Versions and Alternative Titles of Journey to the West
Journey to the West (Xiyouji) is a literary masterpiece rooted in the historical pilgrimage of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang (602–664 CE) to India in search of Buddhist scriptures. Over centuries of layered cultural creation, it absorbed diverse influences—myths, folklore, religious teachings, and performative arts—to evolve into a literary classic blending adventurous storytelling with philosophical depth.
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Dao De Jing – Chapter 67
The Dao, due to its all-encompassing and formless nature, cannot be grasped through the perception of concrete forms. We learn to cultivate the Dao by emulating the sages. The sages’ treasures for realizing the Dao are compassion, frugality, and humility (‘daring not to put oneself ahead of the world’).
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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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