Journey to the West

Author: Wu Cheng'en
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Wu Cheng'en's Journey to the West follows the story of Tang Sanzang's pilgrimage. 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 to the Five Elements Mountain. From the eighth to the twelfth chapters, the story primarily describes the creation of 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 his journey westward to retrieve the true scriptures. Along the way, they overcome countless demons and obstacles, traveling 108,000 li over 14 years and facing 81 trials in total. The work is rich in imagination, with intricate plots, vivid and humorous language, and the creation of highly distinctive, household-known characters such as Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing.