The original work of Journey to the West, vernacular
The original vernacular version of Journey to the West mainly told the story of Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, who went to the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures and experienced eighty-one difficulties. Starting from the first chapter,"Spiritual Roots Grow Out of the Source of Cultivation and Cultivation of the Great Dao," it described the chaotic state before the world was divided. After Pangu created the world, all things in the world relied on the grace of heaven and earth. If you want to know the power of creation, you have to read the Biography of Journey to the West (original name of Journey to the West). The lifespan of heaven and earth was 129,600 years, which was one yuan. One yuan contained 12 hui, and one hui was 10,800 years. This was related to the 12 earthly branches such as Huizi, Chou, and Yin, just like the 12 hours of the day, which had their own changes in yin and yang. After that, he talked about the immortal stone in the Huaguo Mountain of the Aolai Kingdom in the Dongsheng Divine Continent. It was thirty-six feet and five inches tall (365 degrees in the sky) and twenty-four feet round (24 solar terms). There were nine orifices and eight holes on it in the shape of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams. It was nourished by the spiritual qi of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon to give birth to an immortal fetus. The immortal stone produced stone eggs, which turned into stone monkeys when the wind blew. After the stone monkey was born, it learned how to walk and worship the four directions. Its golden eyes swept across the sky and alarmed the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor sent clairvoyant and clairaudient to investigate and learn of the situation. Because the stone monkey was born from the essence of heaven and earth, the Jade Emperor did not pursue the matter. The stone monkeys found the waterfall while playing with the monkeys in the summer. The monkeys made a bet that whoever could get into the waterfall and find the source would be crowned king. The stone monkeys jumped into the waterfall and found the water curtain cave, which had stone tables, stone stools and other daily necessities. Later, there were other plots such as the stone monkey learning from his master, borrowing treasures from the Dragon Palace, and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace. For example, Sun Wukong learned his skills from the Bodhi Ancestor and asked the Dragon King of the East Sea for treasures such as the Ruyi Golden Cudgel. Sun Wukong was dissatisfied with the recruitment of officials in the Heavenly Court and caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace. On the way, he experienced many disasters, such as Gao Laozhuang's Tang Sanzang taking Bajie, who was originally Marshal Tianpeng and was demoted to the mortal world; Huang Fengdong's Tang Sanzang was in trouble; Liusha River's Monk Sand was a disciple of Monk Sand, who was originally a rolling curtain general; Sun Wukong's three strikes against Baijing Bone Spirit were misunderstood by Tang Sanzang; Che Chiguo's battle to eliminate the three demons; Tang Sanzang's adventure in the Kingdom of Women; Sun Wukong's three adjustments of the banana fan; and the demon rescue of the group of children in the Kingdom of Bhikhu. These calamities showed the various difficulties and magical experiences of the four master and disciples in the process of going to the Western Heaven to obtain scriptures. Watching Journey to the West: Sun Wukong Beats the White Bone Demon Three Times is not enough. Everyone is welcome to click to read the novel!
Is the original work of Journey to the West written in vernacular Chinese?
The original novel of Journey to the West was not written in vernacular Chinese but in classical Chinese. In Journey to the West, the boundary between classical Chinese and vernacular Chinese was not very clear. Sometimes, one could see some vernacular expressions. However, the expressions of classical Chinese and vernacular Chinese had their own characteristics. The classical Chinese was more formal and concise, while the vernacular Chinese was more oral and easy to understand.
The first chapter of the vernacular translation of the original work of Journey to the West
In the first chapter, there was a poem describing the chaotic state of heaven and earth. After Pangu created the world, heaven and earth were separated, and all things relied on the grace of heaven and earth. The lifespan of heaven and earth was calculated in yuan. One yuan had twelve meetings, which were represented by the twelve earthly branches. In terms of a day, there were different characteristics from midnight to midnight. This part could be regarded as the introduction to the whole story. The first chapter also described the life of the stone monkey in the mountains. It had the ability to walk, climb, run, jump, and so on. It ate wild fruits when it was hungry, drank spring water when it was thirsty, and accompanied other animals. Later on, when the weather was hot, the stone monkeys and the other monkeys escaped from the heat and searched for the source of the water. They found the Water Curtain Cave. There were traces of people living in the Water Curtain Cave, and there was also a stone tablet engraved with the words "Flowerfruit Mountain Blessed Land, Water Curtain Cave". Watching Journey to the West: Sun Wukong Beats the White Bone Demon Three Times is not enough. Everyone is welcome to click to read the novel!
Journey to the West original vernacular chapter 21
The story of Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, and his disciples going to the West for Buddhist scriptures had a long history. Sun Wukong was a monkey with remarkable abilities. He had the ability to transform into all kinds of forms at will. Tang Sanzang was a merciful monk who devoted himself to Buddhism. He brought Sun Wukong and the others through many hardships and finally obtained the true scriptures and returned to Tang of the East. Chapter 21 tells the story of Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, and the others encountering monsters on the Flaming Mountain. Sun Wukong used his Fiery Golden Eyes to identify the monsters and engaged them in a fierce battle. Tang Sanzang used Buddhist magic to defeat the monster.
Is the original version of Journey to the West semi-vernacular?
The original version of Journey to the West was written in vernacular. In ancient China, classical Chinese was a very important written language, and the original writing method of Journey to the West was classical Chinese. Although the expression of classical Chinese was relatively concise, it also required the use of some specific vocabulary and grammar structures to express the meaning. In contrast, modern Chinese was more concise and clear, but it also needed to consider the language norms and accuracy. Therefore, some usages and expressions in classical Chinese were still widely used in modern Chinese. For example, the usage of the verb "lost" in the sentence "Monkey Sun lost the Jingu Staff" was a common expression in classical Chinese. Journey to the West was originally written in classical Chinese. Although the expression of classical Chinese was relatively concise, it also required the use of some specific vocabulary and grammar structures to express the meaning.
Vernacular Journey to the West
"Journey to the West" was the first romantic chapter demon novel in ancient China. The existing 100-chapter "Journey to the West" published in the Ming Dynasty did not have the author's signature. The Qing Dynasty scholar Wu Yuzhen and others first proposed that the author of Journey to the West was Wu Chengen of the Ming Dynasty. The novel mainly described the story of Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, who went to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures. One of the sequels to Journey to the West was the Later Journey to the West, which was also a vernacular long demon novel from the Qing Dynasty. Journey to the West and its follow-up, The Later Journey to the West, were written in vernacular Chinese, suitable for readers of all ages.
Journey to the West Vernacular
"Journey to the West" was one of the four famous ancient Chinese novels. It told the story of Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Monk Sand, and Tang Sanzang (also known as the "Journey to the West"), who went to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures after 81 difficulties. During the journey, Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie caused some trouble because of their mischievousness. Sand Monk was responsible for taking care of their food and safety. Tang Sanzang was a benevolent and wise Buddhist master. He led the group to the west to overcome difficulties and finally obtained the true scriptures. Journey to the West described many magical natural landscapes and thrilling adventures, but it also contained a lot of profound philosophical and educational significance. It was an outstanding work in the history of Chinese literature, which had a profound influence on Chinese culture and art.
The original work of Journey to the West
Journey to the West was originally a long demon novel written by Wu Chengen, a writer of the Ming Dynasty. It was based on the historical facts of Xuanzang's trip to India during the Zhenguan period of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. It was created on the basis of relevant records, dramas, storybooks, and folklore. The original novel began with a poem describing the process of the formation of the world. For example, the number of heaven and earth was 129,600 years, which was divided into 12 groups. The story was introduced with a mythical expression. The novel was set in the real world, with Xuanzang's story as a clue, and Sun Wukong as the protagonist. With the help of myths, it satirized and criticized the dark reality of the feudal society in the middle of the Ming Dynasty. The book was full of imagination, combining real life with strange fantasies, such as linking the natural attributes of animals with the thoughts and qualities of the characters to construct a colorful mythical world. It was a masterpiece of positive romanticism and had an important position in the history of Chinese and foreign novels. However, it also contained fatalism, karma, and the boundless thoughts of Buddhism. There were also some who believed that there were many secrets hidden in the original work. For example, the true identity of Patriarch Bodhi might be Buddha, and Sun Wukong might have been created by Buddha. The former life of Marshal Zhu Bajie might have been Hou Yi, and there might be an abnormal relationship between Monk Sand and the Jade Emperor. The sons of the Grand Supreme Elder, King of Gold Horn, King of Silver Horn, and Princess Iron Fan, Red Boy, might be his illegitimate son. The real Monkey King might be a play played by Sun Wukong alone. However, these explanations were controversial. Watching Journey to the West: Sun Wukong Beats the White Bone Demon Three Times is not enough. Everyone is welcome to click to read the novel!
Is the original work of Wu Chengen's Journey to the West in classical Chinese or vernacular Chinese?
Wu Chengen's Journey to the West was written in vernacular Chinese because the main audience of this novel was the general audience rather than professional researchers of classical Chinese. The author used easy-to-understand language and lively characters to make the novel easier for readers to understand and accept.
Is Journey to the West a modern vernacular?
Journey to the West was not a modern vernacular but a work of ancient Chinese literature. It was hailed as the pinnacle of ancient Chinese novels. It told the story of Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Monk Sand, and Tang Sanzang, who went to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures after going through 81 difficulties. Although Journey to the West uses some easy-to-understand language, it is still a work of classical Chinese, which is obviously different from modern Chinese.
The vernacular of Journey to the West episode 92
Journey to the West was a classic Chinese mythological novel. It told the story of Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Monk Sand, and Tang Sanzang (also known as the "Journey to the West"), who went to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures after 81 difficulties. During their journey, they met many monsters and devils and made friends with many heroes. Among them, Sun Wukong was the most outstanding. He had supernatural abilities and could easily defeat all kinds of demons and ghosts. Zhu Bajie was full of energy and a glutton who often caused trouble. Friar Sand was a smart and brave person who could help Tang Sanzang and his team overcome all kinds of difficulties. Tang Sanzang was a kind, merciful and wise monk. He led the group on a long and difficult journey. After the group arrived in the Western Paradise, they successfully obtained the scriptures and helped many people in need. The whole story was full of myths and legends, and it also showed the beauty and kindness of human nature.