Dongdu Journal

Author: Jiujiu Lao Ren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-03-01
Features: Dongdu Jiji, the full title is Xinbian Sao Kui Dun Lun Dongdu Jiji, also known as Xuzheng Daoшу Book Dongdu Jiji. Written by Jiujiu Lao Ren of Huashan during the Ming Dynasty, this is a long fantasy novel telling the story of the Indian sage Bodhidharma enlightening people in South India and East India. The king of South India was deeply devoted to Buddhism, vowing to enlighten all sentient beings. He passed away in a trance and ascended to the heavens, achieving the status of the 26th patriarch. Later, the throne was passed to King Xiangzhi, who had three sons. The youngest son was named Putiduolo, with the Dharma name "Bodhidharma." After attaining the 27th patriarch's Dharma vessel, Bodhidharma resolved to continue the mission of enlightenment. He took his disciples Dao Fu, Dao Yu, and Ni Zongchi with him, as they had transformed the people of their own land through compassion, they went to East India to save sentient beings. Along the way, Bodhidharma transformed and subdued demons, spreading the Dharma and enlightening the ignorant. Later, he crossed the river alone on a single reed and arrived in China, transforming the worldly affairs. "He met Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty, but their discussions did not align, so he plucked a reed and crossed the river, leaving behind sacred traces and departed." He returned to India, recited a verse to his disciples, and handed them the Lengya Sutra, then entered stillness. In this book, each chapter incorporates a large amount of poetry, lyrics, short songs, and verses, encouraging people to do good; vividly depicting the lively images of numerous emotional and demonic illusions such as alcohol, lust, wealth, anger, deceit, betrayal, and cruelty. Renowned scholar Zheng Zhenduo believed that this book "is very similar to John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, with even more transformations and more complex themes." Mr. Tan Zhengbi also remarked, "Its narrative of strange and fantastical transformations is no less than that of the 'wondrous book of the journey' Journey to the West."