Journey to the West

Author: Wu Cheng'en
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: The story of Journey to the West is very familiar to people. Among its most exciting chapters, such as Sun Wukong causing chaos in Heaven, Zhu Bajie marrying a wife in Gaolao Village, defeating the White Bone Demon, borrowing the Plantain Fan, and so on, are household names, known to all, even to the old and young. For hundreds of years, it has attracted generation after generation with its strong artistic charm, making it one of the most beloved classical novels in Chinese history. Journey to the West primarily depicts the story of Sun Wukong protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey westward to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and eight trials. The journey of Tang Sanzang to retrieve the scriptures was a real historical event. About 1,300 years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), a young monk named Xuanzang, only 25 years old, left the capital Chang'an and traveled alone to India (Tianzhu) for studies. After leaving Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous difficulties and finally reaching India. There, he studied for over two years and was honored as the main speaker at a major Buddhist theological debate. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. His journey to the west took nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, a legendary long march that caused a sensation at the time. Later, Xuanzang dictated his travels to the west, which were compiled by his disciple Bianji into the Record of the Western Regions During the Great Tang Dynasty in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries along the way and contained little story. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote the Biography of the Venerable Monk Xuanzang of the Great Tang's Daxing Temple, which added many mythical elements to Xuanzang's experiences. From then on, the story of Tang Sanzang's journey to the west began to spread widely among the people. In the Southern Song Dynasty, there was the Poetic Account of Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West, while in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Sanzang and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the Courtyard Dramas, and in the Yuan Dynasty, there were Wu Changling's Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West and an anonymous The God Erlang Locks Sun Wukong. All of these laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en, based on folk tales, stories, and operas, underwent arduous re-creation and completed this great literary masterpiece that has brought pride to the Chinese nation.