Bodhi Patriarch and Rulai are two important characters in "Journey to the West", they are Sun Wukong's ** and the biggest obstacle on the way to learn scriptures. The relationship between them has always been a hot topic among Journey to the West fans, some people think that they are master and apprentice, some think that they are one, and some think that they are opponents. So, what exactly is their relationship?
Bodhi Patriarch, whose full name is Su Bodhi Patriarch, is a mysterious figure in "Journey to the West", he lives in the three-star cave of Xiniu Hezhou Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, accepts Sun Wukong as an apprentice, and teaches him the method of seventy-two changes, immortality and somersault clouds, but Bodhi Patriarch predicts that Sun Wukong will definitely cause trouble, so he asks Sun Wukong to keep it secret, and must not mention the situation of the teacher, and learn the past.
Rulai, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha, is the founder and supreme leader of Buddhism, he lives in Tianzhu Lingshan Leiyin Temple, is the master of the Western Elysium, he is one of the ten titles of Buddhism Rulai representative, meaning true, nowhere to come, nowhere to go.
Regarding the relationship between Bodhi Patriarch and Nyolai, there are the following theories:
They are master and apprentice. This theory believes that the Bodhi Patriarch is the incarnation of Rulai, in order to save Sun Wukong, he deliberately turned into a Taoist Buddha and a great immortal, accepted Sun Wukong as a disciple, taught him spells, but did not let him mention his identity, in order to let Sun Wukong go through various hardships and eventually become a Buddha. The basis for this statement is that Patriarch Bodhi and Patriarch Rulai both lived in Xiniu Hezhou, and when Patriarch Bodhi was preaching in Xiniuhezhou, if Patriarch Rulai was not there, it was impossible for a person to appear in two places at the same time; In addition, the spells taught by Patriarch Bodhi are the same as the spells of Nyorai, which are all seventy-two changes and somersault clouds, and Patriarch Bodhi once said, "I have a relationship with Nyorai."
They are one. According to this theory, Patriarch Bodhi and Nyorai are different aspects of the same person, and they are both manifestations of Truthfulness, but they are manifested in different realms and time and space. The Bodhi Patriarch is the essence of the Buddha, the nature of the Truth, the Dharmakaya of non-action, and the immortal. If it is the embodiment of the Bodhi Patriarch, it is the wonderful appearance of the truth, it is the reincarnation of the body, and it is the cycle of life and death. There is no order between them, there is no high or low, only different functions and roles. The basis for this statement is that the names of Bodhi Patriarch and Nyorai both contain the word "Ru", indicating that they are both manifestations of Truthfulness; In addition, Patriarch Bodhi and Nyorai are both important figures in Buddhism, and they both have the desire and ability to save sentient beings.
They are adversaries. According to this statement, Patriarch Bodhi and Nyorai are representatives of Taoism and Buddhism, and there are sectarian contradictions and competition between them. Bodhi Patriarch is the patriarch of Taoism, he taught Sun Wukong's spells in order to make Sun Wukong the ** of Taoism and strengthen the power of Taoism; Rulai is the patriarch of Buddhism, and he surrendered to Sun Wukong's spells in order to make Sun Wukong the ** of Buddhism and expand the power of Buddhism. The struggle between them is a microcosm of the struggle between Taoism and Buddhism. The basis for this statement is that the spells of Bodhi Patriarch and Rulai have the effect of mutual restraint, and the diamond circle of Rulai can suppress Sun Wukong's golden hoop stick, and Sun Wukong's fiery eyes can see through the changes of Rulai; In addition, both the Bodhi Patriarch and the purpose of Nyorai have selfish elements, and they both want to use Sun Wukong's magic power to benefit their own sects.
No matter what the relationship between Bodhi Patriarch and Rulai is, their influence on Sun Wukong is huge, they are all Sun Wukong's teachers, and they are also Sun Wukong's test. In different ways, they taught Sun Wukong how to practice, how to become a Buddha, and how to save sentient beings. Their teachings and tests have transformed Sun Wukong from a proud and unruly monkey king into a loyal and wise sage. Their merits and kindness, Sun Wukong will never forget.
In short, Bodhi Patriarch and Rulai are two magical characters in "Journey to the West", and the relationship between them is an interesting and profound topic, different people have different opinions, different opinions have different basis, there is no one conclusion, only one exploration.