Journey to the West

Author: Wu Cheng'en (Ming) Adapted by Yang Xiaoling and Gao Wei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-06-01
Features: Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West follows the story of Tang Sanzang's pilgrimage for Buddhist scriptures as its main theme. The original text consists of 100 chapters. The first seven chapters narrate the birth of Sun Wukong, his rebellion in Heaven, and his eventual subjugation by Buddha, who seals him under the Five Elements Mountain. From the eighth to the twelfth chapters, the story primarily describes the creation of Buddhist scriptures by Sakyamuni, Guanyin visiting a monk, Wei Zheng slaying a dragon, and the birth of Xuanzang, explaining the origins of the pilgrimage. The remaining chapters mainly depict Sun Wukong and his companions protecting Tang Sanzang on their journey westward to retrieve the true scriptures, facing numerous demons and obstacles along the way, traveling 18,000 li (10,000 kilometers), overcoming 14 major demonic challenges, and enduring 81 trials in total before finally succeeding. The work is rich in imagination, features intricate plots, vivid and humorous language, and creates highly distinctive, widely recognized characters such as Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing.