Journey to the West - Chapter 13 - The true scriptures

Summary

In Chapter 30 of Journey to the West, Buddha in the Western Paradise recognizes the chaos and suffering in the Tang Empire and believes that the people need the true scriptures to guide them. A true believer must travel to the West to obtain these scriptures. A monk, encouraged by Buddha and others, embarks on the perilous journey, facing obstacles like fierce creatures, demons, and treacherous terrain. With divine help, he begins his mission, aiming to return and bring peace and wisdom to the East, ensuring a better future for all.

Takeaways

• 📜 The story begins with Buddha discussing the need to help the people in the Tang Empire, who are still greedy and constantly fighting.
• 🌟 Buddha holds up a bundle of scriptures that will teach the people in the East to act better.
• 🧭 A True Believer is needed to come to the Western Paradise to retrieve the true scriptures.
• 🙋‍♂️ The monk Guanyin volunteers to go to the East to find a worthy monk for this task.
• 📖 The monk Tripitaka is interrupted by a woman while reading old texts, who tells him about the true scriptures.
• 🌈 The woman reveals that the true scriptures are in the Western Paradise with Buddha and that only a True Believer can undertake the journey to retrieve them.
• 🌟 The woman identifies Tripitaka as a True Believer and gives him a rope with a glowing ball, signifying his role in the journey.
• 🚀 Tripitaka accepts the challenge and is told that his journey will be difficult, with many obstacles and dangers.
• 🌈 A blinding light fills the room, and the woman transforms into a deity, granting Tripitaka a staff and other necessary items for his journey.
• 🎉 A feast is held in honor of Tripitaka's upcoming journey, and he is given the title 'Journey to the West' by the Emperor.
• 🔮 Tripitaka sets off on his journey, equipped with supplies and the support of the people, facing a long and perilous path ahead.

Q & A

What is the main setting of this chapter in 'Journey to the West'?

The main setting is the Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Paradise, where Buddha and his students are discussing the need for the Tang Empire to receive the true scriptures.

Why does Buddha want to help the people of the Tang Empire?

Buddha recognizes that the people of the Tang Empire are greedy and constantly fighting, and he believes the true scriptures will teach them to act better and live peacefully.

What are the 'true scriptures' mentioned in the chapter?

The true scriptures are sacred teachings that will help the people in the East (Tang Empire) improve their behavior and moral conduct.

Why doesn’t Buddha simply send the scriptures to the Tang Empire?

Buddha explains that a true believer must travel to the Western Paradise to retrieve the scriptures, signifying that the journey requires devotion and faith.

Who volunteers to find a worthy monk in the East to undertake the journey?

A student named Gorny volunteers to travel east and find a worthy monk to make the journey to obtain the scriptures.

What does the mysterious woman reveal about the true scriptures?

The woman reveals that the true scriptures are with Buddha in the Western Paradise and that only a true believer may take the journey to retrieve them.

What happens to the monk when he puts on the special robe given to him by the woman?

When the monk puts on the robe, beams of light shine from it, and the woman declares that he is a true believer, ready to make the difficult journey.

What challenges does the monk expect to face during his journey?

The woman warns the monk that the journey will be difficult, with wide rivers, steep mountains, fierce creatures, and evil demons trying to block his path.

How does the Tang Emperor react to the monk’s journey?

The Tang Emperor is supportive of the monk's journey, seeing it as a way to help the empire. He declares that he will think of the monk as his brother and refers to him as the Tang Monk.

What preparations does the monk make before beginning his journey?

The monk packs a special robe, dried food, and other essentials before setting off on his journey, receiving a heartfelt farewell from the Tang Emperor and a crowd of supporters.