Of course, as one of the four classical novels, The Journey to the West's more value should come from his careful study of the original works. For example, the role of the Monkey King, a disciple of Tang Priest, has many points worth discussing.
We all know that the Monkey King goes in and out of the world, and almost no monster is afraid of him. Naturally, so many of his skills were not taught by Tang Priest, but actually came from Bodhi.
Photo: stills of Bodhi founder
It is precisely because Bodhi's founder seems to have magical powers, but there are few descriptions elsewhere, which makes him the most mysterious figure in the whole westward journey world.
Before the Monkey King went down the mountain, Bodhi's father called him to the front and told him never to mention his name with others, which was even more confusing. Who is this Bodhi founder?
Photo: the Monkey King's stills with Bodhi as his teacher.
There are many fans of the Journey to the West, and there are also various folk sayings about the identity of Bodhi's founder. Most of these guesses are blind and unfounded.
For example, the founder of Bodhi is Tathagata Buddha, and he doesn't want others to trace it. Or Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi, Bodhi and Bodhi.
But these statements are basically groundless, and even the real name of the founder of Bodhi cannot be revealed. So until today, the identity of Bodhi's founder is still city by the sea, and opinions vary.
Let me explain to you what is the origin of Bodhi Bodhi. Actually, the answer is simple. Just looking at his name can tell a lot.
Photo: stills of Bodhi founder
As a matter of fact, in the original version of The Journey to the West, the name "bodhi bodhi bodhi old zu" never appeared. If there is anything to say, only "the founder of Bodhi" has appeared several times. Basically in the first and second chapters of the book.
The original Journey to the West said this for the first time. The Monkey King was a nobody. In order to acquire skills and martial arts, he had to travel around the world to find his master.
When he was traveling in the clouds, he happened to meet a woodcutter one day. At first glance, it looked extraordinary. He decided that the woodcutter must be a hidden master and insisted on pestering others to learn from him.
I don't know if the woodcutter is really incompetent or wants to shirk it. He told the Monkey King that he was really all right, and he was extremely ordinary. Later, the woodcutter saw the Monkey King's sincerity and showed him the way.
Photo: Still photos of the Monkey King encountering a woodcutter.
He told the Monkey King that just in front of this mountain road, there is a three-star cave with a slanting moon, and there is an expert the Monkey King is looking for. His name is the founder of Xubodhi. The founder of this bearded bodhi is amazing. He not only practiced well, but also brought out many excellent disciples.
In addition, it is said here that the founder of Xubodhi was once an apprentice of Tathagata Buddha, but I don't know if he finally succeeded in practicing in the Western Heaven.
Photo: The woodcutter points out the Monkey King stills.
In fact, as long as you study it carefully, it is not difficult to find out in the original work that the origin of the founder of Xubodhi is actually very contradictory. The first sentence is still saying that he is a westerner, but the second sentence has become a Taoist statement, as if implying that he is a Taoist.
However, if we want to disassemble the name of the founder of Bodhi, the word "Bodhi" is an out-and-out Buddhist noun, meaning wisdom and great wisdom.
Since Bodhi is already a Buddhist, why should he be associated with Taoism? The ancients paid attention to "different ways, no common goal." Why is Bodhi Bodhi Bodhi? We continue to look down.
Photo: stills of Bodhi founder
The second time in the original work, I also obliquely mentioned something about Bodhi's ancestor. Generally speaking, Bodhi's Buddhist practice is really great, but he also fully understood the essence of Taoism. In the current words, it is the top talent with all-round development.
In fact, practicing three religions is not the best. What's more, Bodhi ancestors know how to innovate and can learn from each other. He extracted the core teachings of the three religions and merged them into a new faction, and he himself was the founder.
Having said that, some readers may suddenly think of Quanzhen religion in The Condor Heroes. Unexpectedly, the founder of Westward Journey Bodhi is the founder of Quanzhen religion.
Having said that, let's take a look at the folk rumors mentioned above and know how unreliable they are.
First of all, the old gentleman on the throne has a high position in Taoism, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is the leader. Tathagata in the West is a veritable Buddhist leader, and his disciple Guanyin also has a deep relationship with the Monkey King.
Photo: Tathagata stills
These people are all people with special status in their respective fields. Bodhi's founder suddenly appeared, and there are no new predecessors. In ancient times, it was advocated that "there is no common sky" and all factions do not interfere with each other. Therefore, from the perspective of rules alone, Bodhi Bodhi's founder can never be the embodiment of Taoist master and Buddhist Tathagata.
Finally, the true answer I want to give you may surprise you and arouse suspicion. In fact, the so-called teacher of the Monkey King, Bodhi, is the Monkey King himself, and he is qualified to be our spiritual mentor. Why do you say that?
Photo: Monkey King stills.
This is not a fabrication. When the Monkey King first entered Samsung Cave to learn from Bodhi, Bodhi gave him the best answer, but the Monkey King didn't care, and neither did the readers.
The contents of the poems in the book are: Lingtai Square Hill, Xieyue Samsung Cave. Ggong is used to refer to the heart; Square inches also mean the heart. As for the "three stars on the oblique moon", those who know a little word will know it by writing it in their hands. This is the spelling of the word "heart". Bodhi, the founder of Bodhi, represents the opening of great wisdom.
To sum up all this, that's what Bodhi wanted to tell the Monkey King: There is no omnipotent teacher in this world. He can't teach you everything and take you a shortcut. Only when you have really experienced and really understood, the skills you acquired in that way are real skills. It's no use just looking for a powerful master to worship without hard work.
Photo: Bodhi's father beat the Monkey King's stills.
Seeing this, I believe everyone has feelings. People who don't understand think that the Monkey King's miraculous powers are all given by Bodhi, who taught him himself.
However, if you hadn't really studied hard, the Monkey King wouldn't have become so fierce. When you think someone is your teacher, in fact, maybe your teacher is your strong heart.