Journey to the West

Author: Wu Cheng'en
Publisher:
Publishing Time: Not available
Features: The story of Journey to the West is very familiar to people. Among its most exciting chapters, such as Sun Wukong's Rebellion in Heaven, Zhu Bajie Marrying a Wife at Gaolao Village, Fighting the White Bone Demon, and Borrowing the Plantain Fan, are household names, known to all, even to the old and young. For centuries, 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 to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and nine difficulties. The journey of Tang Sanzang to retrieve the scriptures was a real historical event. Approximately thirteen hundred years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, at the age of twenty-five, left the capital Chang'an and traveled alone to India (Tianzhu) for studies. After departing from Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous hardships, and finally reached India. There, he studied for over two years and was honored as the main speaker at a major Buddhist theological debate, receiving praise. In the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. This journey to the West lasted nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, becoming 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 Great Tang Records of the Western Regions in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries he passed through and contained little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote the Biography of the Venerable Master 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 Dialogues of the Great Tang's Tripitaka, and in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Sanzang and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the court drama. 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, among others. All of these laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en, based on folk tales, stories, and dramas, underwent arduous re-creation to complete this great literary masterpiece that the Chinese nation is proud of. The story of Journey to the West is very familiar to people. Among its most exciting chapters, such as Sun Wukong's Rebellion in Heaven, Zhu Bajie Marrying a Wife at Gaolao Village, Fighting the White Bone Demon, and Borrowing the Plantain Fan, are household names, known to all, even to the old and young. For centuries, 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 to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and nine difficulties. The journey of Tang Sanzang to retrieve the scriptures was a real historical event. Approximately thirteen hundred years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, at the age of twenty-five, left the capital Chang'an and traveled alone to India (Tianzhu) for studies. After departing from Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous hardships, and finally reached India. There, he studied for over two years and was honored as the main speaker at a major Buddhist theological debate, receiving praise. In the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. This journey to the West lasted nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, becoming 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 Great Tang Records of the Western Regions in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries he passed through and contained little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote the Biography of the Venerable Master 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 Dialogues of the Great Tang's Tripitaka, and in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Sanzang and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the court drama. 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, among others. All of these laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en, based on folk tales, stories, and dramas, underwent arduous re-creation to complete this great literary masterpiece that the Chinese nation is proud of.