Why did Journey to the West elevate Buddhism and belittle Taoism?

Journey to the West is a novel that combines Buddhist and Taoist elements. Many of the characters are the embodiment of Buddhism and Taoism. In Buddhism, Sun Wukong was the incarnation of Guanyin Bodhisattva, Zhu Bajie was the incarnation of Mars god, Sha Wujing was the incarnation of Saturn god, and Tang Sanzang was the incarnation of Buddha Shakyamuni. In Taoism, Sun Wukong was the incarnation of Taishang Laojun, Zhu Bajie was the incarnation of the Jade Emperor, Sha Wujing was the incarnation of the South Pole Immortal Weng, and Tang Sanzang was regarded as the teacher of Tang Sanzang and his disciples who went to the West to obtain scriptures. In addition, many other characters in Journey to the West were also incarnations of Buddhism and Taoism. For example, Bai Jingjing was the incarnation of God Jingjing, the Black Wind Monster was the incarnation of the Demon King Black Bear, and Monk Sha was the incarnation of God Nazha. Journey to the West combined the elements of Buddhism and Taoism, combining the stories and characters of the two religions to show the understanding and exchange of beliefs of the ancient people.

"Journey to the West" does not explicitly praise or belittle any religion. It is a fictional novel that tells the story of Tang Sanzang and his four disciples going to the West to obtain scriptures. Buddhism and Taoism both played important roles in the novel, but the plot and characters were not judged based on any religious belief. The main characters in Journey to the West had their own backgrounds and personalities. Their actions and decisions were influenced by their own values and beliefs. For example, as a Buddhist character, Sun Wukong abided by Buddhist teachings to protect Tang Sanzang and his disciples, but when he encountered difficulties, he would also use some Taoist methods to solve the problem. The plot and storyline of Journey to the West were very complicated, involving many different elements and topics, including adventure, love, power struggle, moral education, and so on. Therefore, it did not simply praise or belittle any religion. Instead, it showed the interaction and exchange between many cultures and beliefs in a creative and imaginative way.

Journey to the West was a classic novel that integrated Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. It was embodied in the following aspects: The plot of the story is a fusion of Confucian ideas: there are many explanations about morality, ethics, and philosophy of life in the novel. For example, in the Legend of Wukong, Sun Wukong's path of cultivation is planned according to the Confucian idea of "cultivating one's moral character, regulating one's family, governing the country, and pacifying the world". In addition, there were many discussions about human nature, good and evil, and desire in the novel, which also reflected the thoughts of Confucianism. 2. The characters are integrated with Taoist thoughts: many characters in the novel have the shadow of Taoist thoughts, such as Sun Wukong's Tao, Zhu Bajie's laziness, Sha Wujing's loyalty, etc. Taoism's emphasis on "governing by inaction" was also well reflected in Journey to the West. Many characters in the novel were escaping from reality and pursuing a realm of governing by inaction. 3. The art form is integrated with Buddhist thoughts: There are many Buddhist elements in the novel, such as monsters, immortals, Buddha, etc. The image and plot design of these characters are integrated with Buddhist thoughts. In addition, there were many Buddhist scriptures and doctrines in the novel, such as the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra. These scriptures also reflected Buddhist thoughts.

This question involved the background of the literary work, the author's personal beliefs, and the social and cultural background. In literary works, authors often create according to their own worldview, outlook on life and values, which may be affected by the social and cultural environment. Buddhism and Taoism are both local religions in China. Although they have different doctrines and practice methods, they both have deep thoughts and explorations about life and the world. In the past, Buddhism had a great influence in China, and many people believed in Buddhism, so literary works might involve Buddhist content. However, with the continuous development and strengthening of Taoism, the description of Taoism in literary works may be reduced. The creation of literary works was often a personal act, and the motives and purposes of the author's creation were more complicated. Some authors may express their views and beliefs in the process of writing, while others may not have such intentions. However, the content that belittles Buddhism in the works may also be the personal prejudice or creative intentions of some authors. Literature works that belittle Buddhism may involve many factors, including religion, culture, society, and so on. But we should respect every religion and belief and avoid belittling or discriminating in our works.

Believing in Buddhism was a concept related to Buddhism and had nothing to do with Taoism. Buddhism was a religious belief system. Believing in Buddhism meant believing in Buddhist doctrines and ideas, respecting Buddha, and following Buddhist cultivation methods. Taoism was another religion that had developed in China. It had its own independent doctrines, believers, and cultivation system. For example, it respected Lao Tzu, pursued immortality, and cultivated immortality. While waiting for the TV series, you can also click on the link below to read the classic original work of "Dafeng Nightwatchman"!

In Journey to the West, Taoism was portrayed as a negative and belittling image because in the novel, Buddhism and Taoism were two different forces with their own interests and goals. In the novel, the main characters of Buddhism were Tang Sanzang and his disciples, while the main characters of Taoism were monsters and demons. Due to the great influence of Buddhism in Chinese culture, Buddhism was often portrayed as a positive image and Taoism as a negative image in novels. This way of portraying Buddhism was not to praise or belittle Buddhism, but to express the theme and plot of the novel. In the novel, the characters of Buddhism and Taoism have their own unique charm and characteristics. Their existence is to show the differences and conflicts between different cultures and deepen the readers 'understanding of different cultures. Therefore, we cannot simply think that praising Buddhism means belittling Taoism, or belittling Taoism means praising Buddhism.

Seeking divination was a folk custom in China. It was a form of divination. Nowadays, most Taoist temples, temples, and folk temples had lots for people to draw lots and ask for divination. Whether it was in Taoist or Buddhist places, this behavior existed. It was not exclusive to Taoism or Buddhism. " Shen Mingri " is equally exciting. Everyone is welcome to click and read it!

There were many differences between Taoism and Buddhism: ** 1. Doctrine Concepts ** 1. ** Awareness of Being and Emptiness ** - Buddhism did not talk about emptiness but Wukong. It adhered to the concept of "emptiness is color, and color is emptiness". It believed that the process of becoming an ordinary thing was surrounded by emptiness and finally returned to emptiness. Being is emptiness, and nothing is emptiness. Zen enlightenment emphasized Wukong. - Taoism didn't understand the concept of being, but rather, it talked about being. In Taoism, there was a way between heaven and earth, and the non-existence gave birth to being. For example,"Tao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things." All things gave birth to being and would constantly change due to movement. Being would always be and would never return to being nothing. 2. ** Focus on Cultivation ** - Buddhism advocated compassion, cultivation of the mind, clarity of the heart, and hope for Nirvana to become Buddha. It pursued the realization of life after death and returned to the Elysian World. Its cultivation focused more on the afterlife. - Taoism believed in this life and advocated the cultivation of the mind and nature. They hoped to become immortals, ascend in broad daylight, and become saints in the flesh. Immortals were the highest expression of Taoism's personality and paid more attention to the results of cultivation in this life. 3. ** The way I treat the world ** - Taoism was more active. It was a multi-theistic religion with strong ethnic colors. It did not have doomsday theory and actively responded to the world to save the world. For example,"Taoists go down the mountain in troubled times and Taoists go into seclusion in prosperous times." - Buddhism talked about karma and placed hope on reincarnation in the next life. It was relatively negative. For example, monks would close their doors to avoid disaster in troubled times and go out to beg for alms in prosperous times. ** 2. Religious Places and Titles ** 1. ** Place ** - In Taoism, palaces, temples, mansions, halls and altars were used by Taoist priests and nuns to worship gods and explain their teachings. - Buddhism regards temples, nunnery, Jingshe and Lanruo as the places where monks and nuns worship Buddha and practice. 2. ** Titles for Gods and People ** - The Taoist god Qian is called Tianzun, God, Great Emperor, Emperor and True Lord; The god Kun is called Yuanjun, Mother, Empress, Concubine and Madam; The guardian god is called Lingguan, Tianjun or Marshal; The god of plague or the god of protecting the realm is mostly called the king, the thousand years or the king. Taoist believers were known as the disciples of the Three Pure Ones, while the high priests were called Zhenren, Mr., etc. The clergymen were called so-and-so immortal officials or so-and-so immortal ministers. They used their names and their surnames, and cupped their hands as a ritual. The ritual was called fasting. When a cultivator's achievements are complete, they are called ascending or transforming. At home, they set up god tablets and ancestor tablets. - In Buddhism, the worshippers were Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats, and the protectors were Skanda or Glamas. Buddhist believers call themselves the disciples of the Three Treasures, eminent monks call themselves the Great Monks, male monks call themselves monks, female monks call themselves bhikshuni, male monks at home call themselves Uposai, female monks call themselves Upoyi. Monks use the Dharma name and change their surname to Buddhism, with the ceremony of ten palms together. Their religious activities are called Buddha Seven or Dharma Assembly. They do not worship gods or ancestors. After the completion of their achievements, they will pass away or Nirvana. ** 3. Reflection in the world of Journey to the West ** 1. ** Position in the organizational structure ** - The Dao Sect lived in the celestial heavens, and there were the Three Pure Dao Ancestors (Primogenitor Lingbao, Primogenitor Daode, Primogenitor). The Jade Emperor was the highest leader of the Dao Sect (at least nominally, he was the master of the three worlds). - The Buddhist Sect lived in the Western Spirit Mountain Immortal Realm. 2. ** Power Relationship ** - In Journey to the West, Buddhism seemed to accept the leadership of Taoism, or rather, the leadership of the Jade Emperor. For example, when Wukong wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, the Jade Emperor decreed that Lingguan You Yi and Sage Yi would go to the West to ask the Buddha to surrender. When the Buddha heard the imperial edict, he would go to the rescue. The person in charge of the reception at the foot of Mount Lingshan was the Golden Peak Immortal of Taoism, and the matter of obtaining the scriptures had to be recorded with the Jade Emperor and the Heavenly Court from beginning to end. While waiting for the TV series, you can also click on the link below to read the classic original work of "Dafeng Nightwatchman"!