[PDF] Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en
Journey to the West Pdf is a Chinese novel attributed to Wu Cheng’en and published in the 16th century under the Ming dynasty. It is considered one of Chinese literature’s Four Great Classic Novels, and has been dubbed “probably the most popular literary work in East Asia.”
In English-speaking areas, Arthur Waley’s abbreviated translation, Monkey, is well-known.
Journey to the West Pdf Description
The Pdf novel is an expanded narrative of Buddhist monk Xuanzang of the Tang dynasty’s fabled voyage to the “Western Regions” (Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent) to gather Buddhist sacred writings (stras), which he returned after many difficulties and great suffering.
In the narrative, the monk is referred to as Tang Sanzang.
The novel follows the general outline of Xuanzang’s own account, Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, but adds elements from folk tales and the author’s invention: Gautama Buddha assigns this work to the monk and provides him with 3 protectors who agree to assist him in exchange for forgiveness for their sins.
Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, as well as a dragon prince who serves as Tang Sanzang’s white horse, are among these disciples.
By the strength and virtue of collaboration, a group of pilgrims journeys towards enlightenment.
Novel’s Historical Context
The historical events in the Journey to the West Pdf book were based on true events. Xuanzang (602–664) was a monk at Chang’an’s Jingtu Temple during the late Sui and early Tang dynasties. Xuanzang departed Chang’an in 629, defying Emperor Taizong of Tang’s travel restriction, in search of better translations of Buddhist scripture at the time.
With the assistance of sympathetic Buddhists, he proceeded to Kumul (Hami) via Gansu and Qinghai, and then to Turpan via the Tian Shan mountains.
In 630, he travelled across what is now Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan to Gandhara, in what is now northern Pakistan.
For the following thirteen years, Xuanzang journeyed across the Indian subcontinent, visiting significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites, learning at the ancient institution of Nalanda, and debating Buddhism’s adversaries.
Download Journey to the West Pdf
Get the Pdf of this popular Chinese Novel, which narrates a witty critique of Chinese bureaucracy, a wellspring of spiritual understanding, and a prolonged allegory
Journey to the West has strong roots in Chinese folk religion, Chinese mythology, Confucianist, Taoist, and Buddhist philosophy, and the pantheon of Taoist immortals and Buddhist bodhisattvas are still reflective of some Chinese religious attitudes today.
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