In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong encounters a woodcutter who guides him to seek a master and learn immortality. This woodcutter’s role mirrors an ancient Chinese legend, weaving Taoist themes of timelessness and illusion into the narrative.
(more…)Tag: Tang Dynasty
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Is Wei Zheng Mortal or Divine in Journey to the West?
In Journey to the West, Wei Zheng embodies a dual identity. He is neither fully mortal nor purely divine but a liminal figure ensuring cosmic order—a reminder that even human affairs are threads in the tapestry of heavenly design.
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[Journey to the West]The Parable of “Grinding Bricks into Mirrors”
The allusion to “grinding bricks into mirrors” originates from a Zen Buddhist parable.
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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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[Journey to the West]Origins of the Monkey King
We know that Journey to the West is a fictional work based on the historical 7th-century pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang to India. Xuanzang is portrayed as the monk Tang Sanzang, while his disciples draw inspiration from historical figures and myths.
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[Journey to the West]What does “Wukong” mean in Chinese?
The Monkey King was named Wukong (悟空) by his first master. What does “Wukong” signify?
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