Analysis of Core Characters in Journey to the West: Tang Seng's Pilgrimage and Inner Journey

Brief Introduction

Tang Seng, whose Dharma name is Xuanzang, is the absolute core character in the classical masterpiece Journey to the West. He is the eminent monk from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, sent by imperial decree to fetch Buddhist scriptures from the Western Heaven. He serves as the leader and master of the pilgrimage team. Throughout the journey of eighty-one tribulations, he is not only the guide for Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing, but also the bearer of the team's belief. His image blends historical prototypes with literary fiction, symbolizing the persistence and hardships of a practitioner on the path of cultivation. He is the link connecting the Great Tang of the Eastern Land with Lingshan in the Western Heaven.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Identity Positioning: Imperial Brother of the Great Tang and the core of the pilgrimage team. He is the spiritual pillar of the team, responsible for guiding the direction and executing the mission on behalf of the Tang Court. The book frequently refers to him as the "Pilgrim" and "Holy Monk," emphasizing his orthodoxy and sanctity.
2. Personality Traits: Compassionate but possessing mortal eyes. He is kind-hearted and reluctant to kill, which often leads to him being deceived by monsters. When faced with temptations such as beauty or wealth, he mostly remains steadfast, demonstrating the stability of a practitioner. However, he sometimes displays cowardice, such as in Chapter 56, where he drove Wukong away for killing.
3. Symbolism of Cultivation: In the book, he metaphorically represents the "Intent" (Yi) within the concept of "Heart Monkey and Will Horse." His growth process is essentially the process of cultivating the mind, requiring him to overcome fear, greed, and ignorance.

Connection to Book Content

Tang Seng's experiences span the entire book. From Chapter 14, "Heart Monkey Returns to Righteousness," where he tames Wukong, to Chapter 100, "Five Saints Become True," where he is conferred Buddhahood, every tribulation is a test of his character.
* Team Dynamics: In Chapters 19 to 22, Tang Seng successively tames Bajie and Wujing, forming a complete team. During this period, conflicts arose multiple times due to Wukong killing, such as in Chapter 27, "Corpse Demon Tricks Tang Seng Three Times." Because of his mortal eyes, he failed to recognize the demon and drove Wukong away, highlighting his coexisting compassion and foolishness.
* Trials and Tribulations: On the journey, Tang Seng was captured by monsters numerous times. For example, in Chapter 41, he was taken by Red Boy; in Chapter 53, he mistakenly drank river water and became pregnant; in Chapter 94, he was recruited as a son-in-law by the King of Tianzhu. These plots not only drive the story forward but also profoundly reveal the temptations of lust, wealth, and fame on the path of cultivation. Additionally, in Chapter 23, "Four Saints Test Zen Heart," he remained steadfast against temptation, showcasing the results of his cultivation. In Chapter 79, he narrowly escaped having his heart cut out in the Kingdom of Qiupu, and in Chapter 97, he was framed and imprisoned due to the death of Mr. Kou, both testing his resolve.
* Final Achievement: After enduring eighty-one tribulations, Tang Seng shed his mortal body. In Chapter 100, due to his completed merits and journey, he was conferred the title of "Sandalwood Merit Buddha" by Tathagata, completing his transformation from human to Buddha.

Conclusion

Tang Seng is not a perfect hero; his weakness and firmness coexist. It is precisely this conflict between human weakness and divine pursuit that constitutes the core theme of cultivating the mind to become Buddha in Journey to the West. His pilgrimage is actually a reflection of the inner heart of every seeker. It warns future generations that cultivation requires perseverance to achieve true fruition.