The question of whether the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) is male or female arises frequently, as Journey to the West never explicitly portrays him having sexual desires toward men or women.
(more…)Tag: guanyin
-
The Missing Trial at Benbo Kingdom in Journey to the West
In Journey to the West, after passing through the Kingdom of Sacrifice, located to the west, the next destination should have been the Kingdom of Benbo (also called Bonpo or Pen-Puo).
(more…) -
[Journey to the West] The Quest for Immortality in Myth and Legend
“The remedy comes from beyond the sea” is a Chinese proverb, meaning that to seek a miraculous cure, one must journey to the mythical immortal islands in the ocean.
(more…) -
[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.
(more…) -
[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.
(more…) -
[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.
(more…) -
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.
(more…) -
[Journey to the West]Bodhisattva Guanyin quotes the Book of Changes
Guanyin Bodhisattva is one of the most pivotal characters in Journey to the West. She serves not only as the mastermind and executor of the pilgrimage project but also as the living embodiment of Buddhist Dharma.
(more…) -
The Little Sage in Journey to the West and his historical origins
Erlang Shen, also known as “God Erlang” or the “Little Sage”, holds a unique and pivotal position in Journey to the West. Erlang Shen’s victory over Sun Wukong marks a turning point in the novel, forcing the Monkey King to confront his limitations and paving the way for his eventual redemption under Tang Sanzang.
(more…)