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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[Journey to the West]The Blessed Land and Cave Heaven
In Journey to the West, the place where Sun Wukong practices is described as:
“The Blessed Land of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, where the Cave Heaven hides the Water Curtain.”
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[Journey to the West]Awakening to Emptiness vs Wukong
After bestowing the name “Wukong” (悟空, “Awakened to Emptiness”) upon the Monkey King, Master Subhuti declared the following words, which carry profound Taoist and Buddhist connotations:
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