The "Wordless Sutra" in Journey to the West: The Test of Ananda and Kasyapa and Buddhist Metaphors

Brief Introduction

In the 98th chapter of the classical masterpiece Journey to the West, titled "When the Monkey is Tamed and the Horse is Trained, the Shell is Shed; When Merit is Complete, the True Reality is Seen," Tang Monk and his disciples endure the eighty-one tribulations and finally arrive at the Great Thunderclap Temple in the Western Heaven. However, when they eagerly go to receive the scriptures, the two Venerables, Ananda and Kasyapa, first present them with blank sheets of paper. This plot point is known as the "Wordless Sutra." It is not only a climactic turning point in the story but also contains profound Buddhist philosophy and real-world metaphors, making it one of the most meaningful strokes in the entire book.

Core Knowledge Points

1. The Value of "Sutras Must Not Be Transmitted Lightly"
Buddha Tathagata explains that in the past, the King of Chu was benevolent and invited people to write scriptures, but he did not pay a single coin, leading to the scriptures being taken lightly. Therefore, the Wordless Sutra is a test of the sincerity of those seeking the scriptures. It emphasizes that the preciousness of Dharma objects must be obtained through payment or effort, reflecting the principle of "Dharma should not be transmitted lightly."

2. The Buddhist Doctrine of "Prajna Without Knowledge"
Buddhism believes that the "True Scriptures" are not in the words, but in the mind and nature. The blank paper symbolizes "Emptiness" (Sunyata), implying that the Dharma transcends textual forms, known as "not establishing words, transmitted outside the teachings." True wisdom lies in inner realization, rather than being stuck in form.

3. "Human Affairs" and Secular Rules
This reflects the social rule of "reciprocity" in reality. Tang Monk only exchanged the true written scriptures after offering his Golden Alms Bowl, suggesting that cultivation also requires understanding worldly cause and effect and exchange. The Dharma exists even within the "red dust" (the secular world).

Connection to the Book's Content

After Tang Monk discovered the scriptures were blank, he hurried back to see Buddha. Buddha laughed and said, "The blank paper is the Wordless True Sutra, which is actually good, but because you came empty-handed to fetch it, it was transmitted to you." Subsequently, Ananda and Kasyapa asked for "human affairs" (gifts), and Tang Monk offered his Golden Alms Bowl, only then exchanging it for the true written scriptures. This process completed the sublimation from "seeking Dharma" to "understanding Dharma." The Wordless Sutra was not a mistake, but the final exam set by Buddha, aiming to let Tang Monk understand: although the Dharma is high, it must be cherished; although the True Scriptures are precious, their value lies in knowing the heart.

Summary

The "Wordless Sutra" plot cleverly combines mythological narrative with philosophical thinking, reminding readers that true wisdom does not lie in acquiring form, but in inner realization and respect. This setting not only enriches the ideological depth of Journey to the West but also becomes a classic case for later interpretations of Buddhist culture and tests of human nature.