The Return to Tenjiku

Rediscovering sacred wisdom and discernment in modern times

- AARTI PATHAK

There is a story of a Chinese monk who set out westward in search of sacred scriptures, accompanied by a mischievous monkey, a gluttonous pig, and a loyal river ogre. This fantastical tale of pilgrimage is from the classic novel "Journey to the West: A Spiritual Quest." Written in the 16th century by Wu Cheng'en, this Chinese folktale is arguably East Asia's most beloved literary fantasy and one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature.

"Journey to the West: A Spiritual Quest" is a novel about a kind and devout monk, Tripitaka, who is chosen by Buddha to embark on a quest for sacred Buddhist sutras. Divine disciples, each representing different facets of human nature, accompany him for protection. They include Sun Wukong (The Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Sha Wujing (Sandy), and the Dragon Prince. Together, they encounter 81 trials and grow through them; their outward journeys serve as metaphors for their inner enlightenment. In the end, they discover the sacred sutras in the birthplace of the Buddha, Tenjiku, which will aid them in reviving Buddhism back home.

The novel transcends being merely a story; it serves as a civilizational memory and a bridge between East Asia and India. The destination they set off for was India. They referred to India as Tianzhu in Chinese and Tenjiku in Japanese, which means "the land of heaven."