The REAL Journey to the West

Discover the incredible true story of Xuanzang, the legendary Chinese monk whose epic pilgrimage inspired the classic tale Journey to the West and the new video game Black Myth: Wukong. In this video, we explore Xuanzang's daring journey across the Silk Road to India in search of Buddhist scriptures, his encounters with ancient civilizations, and the profound impact of his travels on both Eastern and Western cultures. From treacherous deserts to majestic mountains, Xuanzang's real-life adventures are as thrilling as the mythological journey depicted in Journey to the West.

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Music by:
Filip Holm
Banaras Baba & Kolkata Kid
Pawan Krishna

Sources/Recomended Reading:

Brose, Benjamin (2021). "Xuanzang: China's Legendary Pilgrim and Translator". Shambhala Publications.

Westerhoff, Jan (2009). "Nagarjuna's Madhyamaka: A Philosophical Introduction". Oxford University Press.

Wriggins, Sally Hovey (1996). "Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim On The Silk Road". Routledge.

#blackmyth #journeytothewest #buddhism

[mechannel]

Xuanzang walked 25, 000 miles from China to India and back to China, through some of the harshest terrains in the world (huge deserts, treacherous mountains, places that are barely accessible today), facing hunger, thirst, bandits, terrible natural elements. That Xuanzang was able to accomplish what he accomplished is truly astonishing and speaks to his devotion, perseverance and an iron will

[杉乃かふん]

I am glad that the Chinese classics are attracting attention from around the world. The Chinese classics have been undervalued.

[ginabanadab]

It is great to see you doing more Buddhist content, and in particular, shedding light on the great Xuanzang 玄奘三藏. I've been lucky enough to visit his Stupa in China, as well as the temple founded by one of his disciples in Japan. The Faxiang School 法相宗 is still present in Japan where it is known as the Hosso Shu 法相宗, but it is now confined to a few significant temples in Nara. Although I am from the Tendai School, our temple here in Sydney, Australia, has a scroll depicting him- and each year on his Memorial Day we hold a service in his honour.

[Jumpoable]

I wish newer retellings of the Journey to the West would acknowledge what a strong willed & courageous character Xuanzang/ Tripitaka is. I mean, you'd have to be to embark on such a daunting journey AND MADE IT to India on foot/ horse/ camel in 630, AND MADE IT BACK TO CHINA 17 years later). He must have had some street smarts to survive, as well as an astute mind, razor sharp intellect & fierce compassion to gain the respect of Buddhist masters & kings in a foreign county, even if he were physically weaker than his 3 non-human body guards LOL.

Almost half a decade ago, I visited Dacisi (Temple of Great Compassion) in Chengdu, Sichuan, where Xuanzang was ordained as bhiksu (full monk) there when he was 13. This 1000-yr-old temple still retains its spiritual aura, despite sitting amidst a beautiful fancy outdoor shopping mall surrounded by Starbucks, Chanel, Gucci & Givenchy stores & Sichuanese restaurants housed in traditional buildings. There's also a beautiful, massive underground bookstore. 

Dacisi was always an urban temple, even back in Xuanzang's days, smack dab in the middle of town. Whilst there were no global coffee shop chains & fashion houses, it was probably surrounded by a very Tang Dynasty market place filled with fancy tea houses & merchants from Persia selling their luxury goods from "The West" as well. I think of it as all the accumulation of all the good karma/ merit Tripitaka as well as all the other illustrious monks has accomplished with their travels & subsequent work there (Korean Zen monk Musang, who was once the 3rd prince of the 33th king of Shilla; Sichuanese monk Lanxi Daolong, who then went voluntarily to Japan when he was 33 years old & stayed for 33 years, transmitting Zen to Kyoto then Kamakura). 

Xuanzang probably left China from his home temple as well, since Sichuan is situated quite west (there's a sizeable Tibetan quarter in Chengdu as well)

[shattered_lightsb]

Small correction: you don’t actually play as Sun Wukong in the game, it’s a different monkey. If you got to play as sun wukong there be absolutely no challenge whatsoever lol

[dr.gaosclassroom]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. As a philosopher specialised in Classical Chinese philosophy, I appreciate the effort you put into this video and your passion for philosophy!! Please keep up the great work, your channel is one of my favourites!!!

[dev_iitg]

As a follower of Buddhism, I truly appreciate how you've presented the historical facts with such precision and clarity. The accuracy and attention to detail are remarkable, and the visual representation of the events is simply stunning! Great work – it's both informative and beautifully executed!

[frostwoodson]

An interesting fact is that the earliest 100-chapater version of the novel Journey to the West we have today(世德堂百回本) actually contains a lot of Daoism Inner Alchemy metaphors.
The majority of commentaries appearing in Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty is through the lens of the school of Inner Alchemy, like《西游原旨》(the Original Meaning of Journey to the West)《悟真直指》(Straightly Point to the Understanding of the Truth)(These book names are translated by myself, I don't sure if there is any "official" translation ).

[craigdelaney]

Thanks! This has been Enlightening in many ways..! I have come to a disparaging personal view of the story. As it only focuses on the Monkey king. And from what I've learned about the mythology and origins of Him I'd come to see a somewhat pessimistic concept around the heart of the story. THIS shine's a lot better light on the whole origin and story!.. I'd love to see more about this topic.🙏🏾 But as for now, Thank You for this much..👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😄

[Ovais_Siddiqui]

This channel is an ocean of wisdom So lucky to have found it.

[PrometheusMonk]

Thanks for the great content! As a Westerner enamored by Eastern religion but largely ignorant of its history, I really appreciate these kinds of videos.

[merlin]

This is exactly what we like to see: weathers actually take an interest in the culture and religion in the east. Well done game science and thank you for your wonderful storytelling

[batosato]

I am very impressed by you. The level of details and research that goes into making of your videos is nothing beyond inspiring. Keep it up!! Tak fra Danemark!!

[jayathakur]

As an Indian, whose family has kept the oral history of the family for last 1500 years, during King Harsha Bardhan of Kanauj, my father's side of ancestors attended this Great Congregation as they were scholars themselves. Meanwhile my mother's side was busy battling King Harsha as my mother's side was a vassal house of King Shashanka of Bengal who was an arch nemesis of King Harsha Vardhan 🤣🤣🤣. My mom as of now, is extremely inspired by Buddha by the way. Although, traditionally, her family is Vaishnav, that is worshipper of Vishnu. While my dads family turned into Tantric tradition, which was inspired by Yogachar and spiritual influence of that branch, mixing it with Shaktism, or worshipping the Mother Goddess, Shakti as Chamunda... I hope you do a video some day on Tantrik tradition of Eastern India, including West Bengal and Assam. Please. It is not the common version of popular Hinduism.
The moment I saw your title I knew it was about Xuanzang. The man, the myth, the legend. I love The Journey to the West. But, actual Adventures of Xuanzang is more interesting. You have no idea, how much he is respected here in India, especially West Bengal. We were taught about him as kids in primary school. 🙏🏽Love from India

[wewillmakeyouaplaceforthew]

Really interesting story, good job as always mate 👍

[naiman]

As a young diplomat's son growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, Sun Wu Gong (literally, 'Aware of Vacuity') was definitely one of my early heroes. I used to love going to the Chinese opera to watch the tales of his exploits being played out to song, dance and music, and I also learned how to paint my face as Sun Wu Gong, the Monkey King. There is a tale of how he stole the peaches of immortality, creating havoc in heaven. In Japan, the historical record of Xuanzang's Journey to the west is called Sai Yuu Ki, with Sai meaning "West", Yuu meaning plays or exploits, and Ki meaning Record or account. In Japanese, Sun Wu Gong is known as Son Go Kuu. Millions of Chinese and Japanese children grow up listening to these wonderful and enchanting tales.

[musa]

602, really the 6th and 7th century was in terms of so many religions so imporant

[cardosoguedes]

I love your channel so much Filip! God bless you my friend!

[kdvine]

It's utterly an understatement how much your teachings have helped me understand the vast amounts of religions and world beliefs- past and present. You Sir, are a bodhisattva in your own right. Namaste ❤

[MI-gnlg]

Amazing! I am currently reading Monkey in the Arthur Waley translation and while it is one of the most entertaining things I’ve read, I am shocked that the introduction doesn’t even mention the historical precedent.