In Journey to the West, most female spirits or demons capture the Tang Monk because they desire to marry him. Only two exceptions exist: the White Bone Spirit and the Seven Spider Spirits. Both groups sought the Tang Sanzang’s “flesh” (for immortality) and showed no sexual or romantic interest in men.
(more…)Tag: Tang monk
-
[Journey to the West] Wukong and Zhang Liang
In Chapter 14 of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong kills six bandits (symbolizing the ”Six Roots” of desire in Buddhist teachings) and is harshly rebuked by Tang Sanzang. Angered, he storms off and visits the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea.
(more…) -
[Journey to the West]Monkey of the Mind
The journey of the Tang Monk and his disciples is, in essence, an inward pilgrimage. Buddhist and Taoist perspectives play a vital role in shaping this spiritual allegory.
(more…)