A Research On Buddhist Ideas Within A Journey To The West

A Journey to the West(《西游记》) is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature;it is appreciated by all readers.Not only is it well received in China, it also is influential to countries outside of China.Up to now,A Journey to the West has been translated into many different languages.After Buddhism was introduced to China,the process of spreading Buddhism greatly influence the Chinese culture,it can harmonize with Confucianism and Daoism and become a part of the traditional Chinese culture.The literature aspect was also influenced by Buddhism.This paper would like to use the novel A Journey to the West,from the Ming Dynasty,to thoroughly investigate and show the influence of Buddhism.The story,A Journey to the West started because of Hsuan-Tsang's(玄奘) pilgrimage to India,seeking after the Buddhist religious texts,but during the traveling process,his experiences are gradually removed from the historical facts.As the story develops it adopts different cultures from different periods,idea from other religions,and adding the author's knowledge and interpretations.The development process of A Journey to the West,from the beginning to the end,retains a relationship with Buddhism.Regardless,the influence of Buddhism is a matter that cannot be ignored.From the beginning,A Journey to the West received a lot of attention from the scholars,commentaries started to appear in great amounts to investigate its written content.Among these,there are more than ten theses that discuss the relationship of A Journey to the West and Buddhism.But,because I am a monk,practicing Buddhism for more than ten years,and have a firm grasp on the Buddhist doctrine,maybe I can penetrate deeper than a secular research;the point of view that I will provide will also will be different.Therefore,I would like to restate an old topic,discuss a new aspect, which may provide new information on the research of A Journey to the West.This paper will discuss the relationship between A Journey to the West and the Buddhist thinking,which will incorporate the following:1.The relationship between A Journey to the West and Panna sect(般若宗),and provide an explanation Panna sect of conception,furthermore discuss the underlying meaning of the novel. 2.The relationship between A Journey to the West and Vijnanavada sect(唯识宗),and provide an introduction of Vijnanavada sect,furthermore,from this point of view,attempt to explain the image of the four protagonists.3.The relationship between A Journey to the West and Discipline(戒) -meditation(定) - wisdom(慧),and provide an explanation of the meaning of Discipline-meditation-wisdom,while practicing Buddhism,furthermore attempt, from this point of view,to analyze the relationship among the group members who is pursuing the genuine Buddhist texts.4.The relationship between A Journey to the West and Lotus sutr(法华经), and beginning with the image of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva(观世音菩萨) within the novel,explain the meaning of Lotus sect(法华宗);at the same time,incorporate the problem of equality within Buddhism.