The phrase “Three Heads and Six Arms” originates from Buddhist iconography, where it describes the fearsome yet divine appearance of certain Buddhas and Dharma protectors. Over time, it evolved into a metaphor for supernatural prowess in Chinese mythology. In Journey to the West, this ability is depicted as a combat spell granting the user enhanced power and omnidirectional awareness.
(more…)Tag: Laozi
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Has the Monkey King ever eaten human flesh?
In Journey to the West, the question of whether Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) consumes human flesh is a topic of debate. While many demons, including Tang Sanzang’s disciples Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) and Sha Wujing (Sandy), have cannibalistic pasts, Wukong’s relationship with human flesh is more complex and symbolic.
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The Three Realms in Journey to the West
In Journey to the West, the tales of immortals, demons, mortals, and ghosts unfold across the three realms (Heavenly, Mortal, and Underworld), which reflects the Daoist cosmology.
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[Journey to the West]Converting the Hu People into Buddhists
In Journey to the West, the story of “Lord Lao Zi Converting the Hu People into Buddhists” stems from historical debates between Taoism and Buddhism. According to legend, Laozi (Lao-Tzu), revered as an incarnation of Taishang Laojun (the Supreme Elder Lord), rode westward on his blue ox, later giving rise to the claim that he taught the “barbarian” peoples, thereby founding Buddhism.
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Dao De Jing – Chapter 81
This is the final chapter of the Dao De Jing, where Laozi summarizes the essence of his teachings.
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Dao De Jing – Chapter 80
Chapter 80 of the Dao De Jing is often misinterpreted. Many people interpret it literally, assuming Laozi advocated for breaking up large states and reverting to primitive tribal societies.
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Dao De Jing – Chapter 77
This chapter uses the metaphor of ”drawing a bow” to reveal the dynamic equilibrium of natural law, critique humanity’s exploitative logic of ”reducing deficiency to replenish excess,” and propose the sage’s wisdom and principle.
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