#heroisback

Text by 艾歌 Translated by 阿光 & 树

Tang Seng (Tang Monk), Tang Sanzang (Tripitaka), Sang Zang Fa Shi (Tripitaka Master)and Tang Xuanzang (monk Xuanzang) refer to the same person.

“Tang” is not his family name, but referring to the Tang Dynasty. And “Seng”means monk. Sanzang referring to the Tripitaka, the main categories of texts in the Buddhist canon. He was called Sanzang because he had a good knowledge about it. Xuanzang is his name after being a monk. His original name is Chen Yi.

Historically, Xuanzang was an unfortunate man. He was nameless but wanted to go to India to study Buddhism. However, without the approval from the upper class, he couldn’t get the right to go abroad. Therefore, to realize his dream, he left the country illegally.

By contrast, it’s hard to say that whether the Xuanzang in Journey to the West was lucky or not. In the novel, he got support from the emperor, left the country with passport, then had disciples sent by Buddha. With these he avoided ordinary difficulties but had to face with demons which were after his flesh and blood.

In the book, he is not an ordinary person. He was originally a disciple of Buddha, named Jin Chan Zi (the Venerable Golden Cicada). As the reincarnation of an immortal, he attracted demons because his flesh made eaters immortal. (In Journey to the West, demons are enlightened and evolved from animals and plants through absorption of essences of heaven and earth. Their lifespan can be extended this way, but still limited. Here “enlightened” means that they are equally intelligent as human beings. Then demons can become immortals through penance. However, because they were not born enlightened, it’s hard for demons to pursue immortality against their evil and wild nature inside.)

Besides, according to the novel, in his childhood, Xuanzang was named Jiang Liuer, same as Jiang Liuer in the movie. But the director mentioned that the child in the movie is the ninth live of Xuanzang.

https://youtu.be/W-dI38cKouQ