Journey to the West

"Journey to the West" is an extraordinary piece of literature, written several centuries ago, yet its brilliance lies in the fact that it offers something new to every reader at different stages of life. For many Chinese, the first encounter with this classic comes in childhood through adaptations into television shows or movies. As children, we are often captivated by the character of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who seems incredibly powerful and cool. His ability to cause chaos in the heavenly palaces, even overpowering an army of 100,000 celestial soldiers, is thrilling to watch. At that age, we admire the rebellious, free-spirited monkey who can take on the gods themselves.

However, as we grow older, particularly once we reach our 20s, our perspective begins to shift. Questions arise about deeper themes embedded in the story, such as the intricacies of relationships in Chinese culture. For instance, as Sun Wukong and his companions journey westward, they encounter numerous powerful demons. Why, we wonder, did none of these demons appear during Sun Wukong's rebellion in heaven? We start to notice a recurring pattern in the battles: demons without any divine connections are easily killed by Sun Wukong's staff, while those who have ties to heavenly deities often escape punishment, with the explanation that they are being "redeemed" and allowed to become Buddhas. This discrepancy introduces a theme that resonates deeply in Chinese society—relationships and connections.

By the time we reach our 30s or beyond, our understanding of "Journey to the West" evolves even further. It begins to reveal itself not just as a work of fantasy, but as a philosophical treatise. The novel blends elements of native Chinese Daoism with Indian Buddhism, presenting two opposing forces—the Chinese Jade Emperor and the Western Buddha. This fusion, in reality, contributed to centuries of religious confusion in China, where people prayed to any deity they encountered, often for selfish desires. What appears on the surface to be a story about cultural relationships actually delves into the realms of politics.

Many of the most powerful demons Sun Wukong encounters are, in fact, under the control of celestial beings or Bodhisattvas. These demons are not random obstacles but are strategically placed along the pilgrimage to disrupt the journey, almost as if the pilgrimage itself is a grand spectacle that draws the attention of the entire celestial realm. Some of these demons are even granted powerful weapons by these divine figures, allowing them to easily overpower Sun Wukong. This raises an intriguing question: why did these same gods not use such weapons to subdue Sun Wukong during his rebellion in heaven? It suggests that the gods might have intentionally held back during that time, perhaps embodying the Chinese cultural philosophy of "moderation" or the concept of waiting for the right political moment to act.

The pilgrimage seems less like a straightforward mission and more like a stage where divine beings increase their political capital by setting and then solving problems. When Sun Wukong cannot defeat these powerful foes, he is forced to turn to the same gods who orchestrated the challenges in the first place. The ease and generosity with which these gods "solve" the problems they created hints at a larger, hidden agenda—one where celestial beings use the obstacles to gain influence or prove their superiority, much like the intricate power struggles seen in political arenas. The whole journey could be viewed as a complex game of divine politics, where the success of the pilgrimage reflects not only on the travelers but also on the gods who intervene. In this light, the story resonates with China's long-standing cultural ideals of balance, patience, and the strategic accumulation of political influence.

This leads us to reflect on the novel's remarkable foresight. How could this story, written hundreds of years ago, so accurately depict the realities of modern society? Or is it simply that society has remained unchanged over the centuries? "Journey to the West" may seem like a story about mythical beings and grand adventures, but its true brilliance lies in its timeless reflection on human nature, relationships, politics, and philosophy.

In this light, "Journey to the West" transcends its genre, offering layers of meaning to each reader, depending on their age and life experiences. What starts as an exciting adventure of rebellion and supernatural battles eventually unfolds as a profound commentary on society's enduring complexities.