1 Journey to the West

Journey to the West is China's first great romantic novel of gods and demons from ancient times. It tells the legendary story of the four masters and disciples' Journey to the West. Based on the historical event of Xuanzang's pilgrimage for scriptures, the novel was artistically adapted by its author, Wu Cheng'en, and offers a profound portrayal of the social conditions of ordinary people during the Ming dynasty. Sun Wukong is the most radiant figure in the book. He was born from an immortal stone created when heaven and earth were formed, giving him an extraordinary origin. He later studied under Patriarch Bodhi, learning the Seventy-Two Transformations and the Somersault Cloud. He also obtained the Sea-Calming Divine Needle from the East Sea Dragon Palace as a weapon: the Golden Cudgel. After causing Havoc in Heaven, he was trapped beneath Five Elements Mountain by Tathagata Buddha for 500 years. Guanyin Bodhisattva then enlightened him, and Tang Sanzang freed him. Given the religious name Pilgrim, he protected Tang Sanzang on the Journey to the West. He fought demons and monsters along the way, earning great merit. In the end, he and Tang Sanzang obtained the true scriptures and attained enlightenment, and Tathagata Buddha bestowed upon him the title Victorious Fighting Buddha. Zhu Bajie's character has realistic significance: he is greedy for money and lustful, yet still has a kind heart. Sha Monk is a simpler character, utterly loyal, and ultimately fulfilled his spiritual merit, earning the title Golden-Bodied Arhat from Tathagata Buddha. Tang Sanzang is a complex character: kind yet timid, he spares no effort on his long journey to obtain the true scriptures, but is also cowardly, muddleheaded, stubborn, and unable to distinguish right from wrong. Through rich artistic imagination, the work depicts wondrous celestial realms and captivating mountains and rivers. It is imbued with romanticism, written in accessible and concise language full of everyday life, and showcases the author's extraordinary artistic skill. 12 If you would like to learn more about the creative background of Journey to the West and the life of its author, Wu Cheng'en