pilgrimage

  • How old is Sun Wukong? [Journey to the West]

    We previously roughly calculated Tang Monk’s age in the novel Journey to the West. Today, let’s examine how old Sun Wukong was. Unlike Tang Monk, Wukong was not an ordinary mortal; he was both a demon and an immortal, so his lifespan was naturally much longer than a human’s. Now, let’s attempt to calculate…

  • How old is the Tang Monk?

    In the novel Journey to the West, there is no explicit mention of the ages of Tang Sanzang (Tripitaka), Sun Wukong (Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy). However, we can estimate their ages based on certain details and time references throughout the story. Let’s focus on the main character –Tang Sanzang in…

  • Unpacking Zhu Bajie’s Obsession with the Luggage

    In Journey to the West, Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) has suggested several times that the group should divide the luggage and disband. Why is Pigsy always thinking about the luggage? What exactly was in the load carried by the pilgrimage team?

  • Monkey King or Monster?

    Sun Wukong, the main character in Journey to the West, has several names and titles, including Monkey King, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Handsome Monkey King, Heaven-born Stone Monkey, Bi Ma Wen, etc. Find out why his name is Sun and what his name Wukong means. Today, we will talk about his titles and…

  • Journey to the West – Episode 104 – Picture story

    Time flew like an arrow, and seasons turned swiftly as a weaver’s shuttle. The unbearable heat of summer was soon replaced by the first frosts of late autumn.

  • Journey to the West – Episode 100 – Picture story

    Delirious with joy, Bajie and Sha Wujing continued their way back. They soon saw Tripitaka lying on the ground, his face buried in the dust. There was no trace of the luggage. Bajie gave in to despair and, kicking the ground in rage, shouted:

  • Journey to the West – Episode 18 – Picture story

    Time flew like an arrow. Over five centuries passed, and the mortal realm entered the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Taizong decreed the selection of a eminent monk to expound Buddhist teachings. After careful deliberation, the court chose Master Xuanzang—a monk of profound virtue and unmatched mastery of scripture since childhood.

  • ‌[Journey to the West] Studied Buddhism for 13 years in India‌

    In the late summer of 630 CE, Xuanzang(Tripitaka) entered India from the north. On foot, he mapped the uncharted lands between China and India—a feat akin to a miracle.

  • The hidden purpose of the Pilgrimage to the West

    On the surface, the stated goal of the westward journey to retrieve Buddhist scriptures is to fulfill Emperor Taizong of Tang’s desire for Mahayana teachings to “save lost souls” and redeem his own karmic debts.