Buddhism in the Classic Chinese Novel Journey to the West: Teaching Two Episodes
Roberta E. Adams

The Pilgrim Characters
Chen Xuanzang (Ch’en Hsüan-tsang)

Note: Names are given in pinyin (Jenner translation) and Wade-Giles (Waley/Yu translations), plus any alternate names used in translations. Note that in Chinese practice, the family name comes first, then the personal name, as in Chen Xuanzang, where Chen is the family name.

The monk’s courtesy name is Tripitaka or Sanzang, from the “three baskets” of wisdom of Mahayana Buddhism (see http://www.exeas.org/resources/foundations-text-4.html for more on Mahayana Buddhism); it is given to him by the Emperor Taizong (T’ai-tsung). The fictional character bears little resemblance to the historical monk. This legendary monk is the reincarnation of the second disciple of Buddha, the Golden Cicada, who while cultivating himself through ten reincarnations slighted the Dharma (law) by letting his mind wander during Buddha’s preaching. As punishment, he was sent to suffer in the mortal world. Xuanzang’s fabulous history is provided in Ch. 9; in Ch. 12, Guanyin chooses him to make the pilgrimage, bringing him to the attention of Taizong.

Accoutrements: For the trip, Guanyin provides Tripitaka with a brocade cassock and a nine-ringed pilgrim staff, both from the Buddha, and Taizong gives him a purple gold begging bowl, a passport allowing him to travel freely, and a horse to carry him (later eaten by and replaced by the White Dragon Horse).

Characteristics/Symbolism: Tripitaka is pure, innocent, compassionate, committed to Buddhism and dedicated to the journey. He is the learned Buddhist scholar, the Confucian junzi, the “exemplary person” who serves as a model to others while striving to be a sage. In his dealings with other humans, he is respectful and authoritative, but he is easily deceived by demons, humorless and straight-laced, and bossy with his disciples. He often doubts Monkey and ignores his wise advice, usually getting them all into much trouble. As a traveler, he is impatient, stubborn, fearful and irritable, grumbling about cold and hunger, and terrified at the first glimpse of danger. Some commentators have seen him as a caricature of a monk. But as the only human on the pilgrimage, he represents human weakness and short-sightedness—but also human potential and the ability to remain good and steadfast. He represents the potential for enlightenment, obtainable after a metaphorical and literal journey.