"Journey to the West" is a classic Chinese masterpiece and a valuable treasure of world literature. It tells a story that spans thousands of mountains and rivers, full of fantasy and adventure, and is captivating and fascinating. But, you know what?The story of "Journey to the West" is actually a profound philosophical allegory that blends the three major traditional Chinese ideological systems: Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. So, is the story of "Journey to the West" about Buddhism or Taoism?Let's take a look.
First of all, we must understand that the story of "Journey to the West" is not pure Buddhism or pure Taoism, but a myth that concentrates the essence and diversity of traditional Chinese culture**. It is not only an artistic masterpiece, but also an intellectual masterpiece. It shows the author's deep understanding and creative use of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, as well as the author's criticism and satire of the society of the time.
Secondly, we must realize that the story of "Journey to the West" is a manifestation of the teachings of Taoism, and all the Buddhist stories, characters, and realms in it are related to Taoism, and they are all Taoist Buddhism. The Buddhist gods in "Journey to the West", such as the Buddha of Nyorai, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Maitreya Buddha, etc., as well as the Buddhist concepts of dojo, heaven and hell, are all intended to show the Taoist way of practice and realm. The Taoist gods in "Journey to the West", such as the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother, Taishang Laojun, etc., as well as Taoist charms and props, are all designed to express the mystery and magic of Taoism. Tang Seng, the protagonist of "Journey to the West", and his three apprentices are actually Taoist cultivators, and their journey to learn scriptures is a Taoist road to cultivation.
Finally, we should note that the story of "Journey to the West" also reflects the influence of Confucianism, such as Tang Seng's loyalty and patriotism, Sun Wukong's loyalty, Zhu Bajie's benevolence, righteousness, etiquette and wisdom, Sha Wujing's loyalty and respect, etc. "Journey to the West" also reflects the author's criticism and satire of the society at that time, such as the greed for Buddhism, the corruption of officialdom, and the suffering of the people. The story of "Journey to the West" not only has the color of mythology, but also has practical significance, it is not only an entertainment **, but also an educational **.
To sum up, the story of "Journey to the West" is neither pure Buddhism nor pure Taoism, but a myth that concentrates the essence and diversity of traditional Chinese culture**. It is not only an artistic masterpiece, but also an intellectual masterpiece. It deserves to be read and savored again and again, and to draw wisdom and inspiration from it.
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