"The Journey to the West" and Wisdom

Author: Liu Gang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: "With Wisdom" seems similar in title to "With Deceit." Deceit and wisdom are indeed like twin brothers, very similar, intertwined, often making it hard to distinguish between them. Mr. Wang ZhenTai's discussion on "deceit" focuses on the use of cunning strategies by figures like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Zhuge Liang, employing "deceit" to evaluate the actions, qualities, and morality of characters in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." Professor Liu Gang, on the other hand, analyzes "wisdom" by deliberately examining Sun Wukong's battles of wit and courage on his journey westward, achieving a similar effect to Mr. Wang's discussion on "deceit" but with a unique approach. Professor Liu Gang has long been engaged in classical literature research, possessing extensive knowledge and profound expertise. His writing is seasoned, with a well-structured and meticulously planned layout. In his arguments, he employs Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian doctrines, as well as psychological, sociological, and historical perspectives to analyze characters and comment on plotlines, offering insightful interpretations. In terms of writing style, he highlights the "foolishness" of Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie to contrast with the "wisdom" of Sun Wukong, a technique that enriches the evaluation of Sun Wukong. He uses the "Five Elements theory" to analyze the relationships between Tang Sanzang and his disciples, adding a meaningful layer to his analysis. Professor Liu Gang's writing is well-supported by references, rich in content, and concise yet precise. The entire book consists of forty-one essays, centered around the theme of "wisdom," discussing intelligence and foolishness, exploring Buddhism and Taoism, narrating life and writing theories, and interpreting the divine and human. The brilliance of his writing makes it hard to put down.