'Journey to the West' Character Profile: Kou Hong (Kou Yuanwai), the Generous Philanthropist

Brief Introduction

Kou Hong, commonly known as Kou Yuanwai, is an important supporting character who appears in Chapter 98 of the classical masterpiece "Journey to the West". He is a wealthy merchant from Diling County, famous for his immense wealth, generosity, and devout Buddhism. In the final stage of Tang Seng and his disciples' pilgrimage, Kou Hong's story becomes the last test regarding "human heart and wealth" on the journey, and he is a rare example of a mortal who achieves a good ending due to his good deeds.

Core Knowledge Points

* Identity and Background: A wealthy man in Diling County, nicknamed "Kou Yuanwai", owning vast land and wealth.
* Personality Traits: Extremely charitable, once vowed to host monks, treating high monks with great respect.
* Key Plot: Kept Tang Seng and his disciples for 70 days, murdered by thieves when seeing them off, later resurrected by Tang Seng.
* Final Outcome: Due to deep good karma, after death he was recruited by the Heavenly Court as a "Heavenly Official", allowing him to continue his cultivation.
* Symbolic Meaning: Represents devout believers in the secular world, contrasting with Tang Seng's "transcendence", exploring the relationship between wealth and faith.

Connection to the Book Content

Kou Hong's story takes place in Chapter 98 of "Journey to the West", titled "Kou Yuanwai Joyfully Hosts the High Monk, Tang Elder Does Not Covet Wealth". At this point, Tang Seng and his disciples had already undergone the 81 tribulations and were about to arrive at Ling Shan (Vulture Peak).

1. Seven Days vs. Seventy Days of Hosting Monks: Hearing of Tang Seng's arrival, Kou Hong was overjoyed. He not only provided accommodation but insisted on keeping Tang Seng to preach. Originally inviting him for seven days, seeing Tang Seng's noble virtue, he forcibly kept him for 70 days, providing daily vegetarian offerings. This reflects his extreme thirst for Buddhist Dharma and disregard for wealth.
2. The Final Tribulation: When seeing off Tang Seng, Kou Hong repeatedly instructed him due to reluctance to part, resulting in him being killed by ambushers. This plot seems like an accident on the pilgrimage, but is actually a test of whether Tang Seng would abandon the journey due to coveting Kou's wealth. Tang Seng insisted on going west, showing his determination to "not covet wealth".
3. Resurrection: Tang Seng used his magical powers to resurrect Kou Hong. After waking, Kou Hong wanted Tang Seng to stay and enjoy fortune, but Tang Seng refused again, indicating his original intention for the pilgrimage remained unchanged. Kou Hong finally understood and supported Tang Seng, and was subsequently recruited by the Heavenly Court.

Conclusion

Although Kou Hong is not a main character in "Journey to the West", his image is full-bodied. Through his behavior of "being charitable and generous", he interprets the combination of Confucian "benevolence and righteousness" and Buddhist "karma". His existence reminds readers: wealth used for good deeds can accumulate virtue and extend life; but if one is obsessed with wealth, it may become an obstacle to cultivation. Kou Hong's story draws a warm conclusion to the pilgrimage regarding human kindness.