journey to the west monk

‘Journey to the West’: Why the classic Chinese novel’s mischievous monkey – and his very human quest – has inspired centuries of adaptations

Associate Professor of Chinese Studies , College of the Holy Cross

Disclosure statement

Ji Hao does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

College of the Holy Cross provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

View all partners

One summer afternoon in the late 1980s, my mother and I passed by a tea house on our trip out of town. The crowded building was usually a boisterous place filled with chatter, laughter, and the happy, clacking shuffle of mahjong tiles. At the moment we were passing, however, a great hush came over the teahouse: People were held spellbound by the black-and-white glow of a small TV in a corner, playing an episode of the series “Journey to the West.”

The TV series was adapted from a 16th century Chinese novel with the same title that has undergone numerous adaptations and has captured the imagination of Chinese people to this day. Like many kids in China, I was fascinated by the magic Monkey King, the beloved superhero in the novel, who went through amazing adventures with other pilgrims in their quest for Buddhist scriptures. While I had to quickly walk by the teahouse in order to catch our bus that day, this moment flashed back to me from time to time, making me wonder what made “Journey to the West” so fascinating for people of all ages and backgrounds.

After graduating from college, I embarked on the next chapter of my academic journey in the United States and reconnected with “Journey to the West” from a different perspective. Now, as a scholar with expertise in traditional Chinese literature , I am interested in the development of literary and cultural traditions around the story, including how it has been translated and reimagined by many artists .

While deeply enmeshed in Chinese traditions, the story also resonates with readers from diverse cultures. “Journey to the West” creates shared ground by highlighting the quest for a common humanity, epitomized by its best-loved character, the Monkey King – a symbol of the human mind.

One journey, many stories

Scholars usually trace the beginning of this literary tradition to a Buddhist monk, Xuanzang , who set out on an epic pilgrimage to India in 627 C.E. He was determined to consult and bring back Sanskrit copies of Buddhist scriptures, rather than rely on previous Chinese translations. He did so after nearly 17 years and devoted the rest of his life to translating the scriptures.

The journey has inspired a wide variety of representations in literature, art and religion, making a lasting impact on Chinese culture and society. Legends began to emerge during Xuanzang’s lifetime. Over centuries, they gradually evolved into a distinct tradition of storytelling, often focused on how Xuanzang overcame obstacles with the help of supernatural companions.

This culminated in a 16th century Chinese novel, “Journey to the West.” By this point, the hero of the story had already shifted from Xuanzang to one of his disciples: the Monkey King of Flower-Fruit Mountain, who serves as Xuanzang’s protector. The Monkey King possesses strong magical powers – transforming himself, cloning himself and even performing somersaults that fly him more than 30,000 miles at once.

Despite this novel’s dominance, the broader tradition around “Journey to the West” encompasses a wide variety of stories in diverse forms. The canonic novel itself grew out of this collective effort, and its authorship is still debated – even as it continues to inspire new adaptations.

The deeper journey

Central to all Journey to the West stories is a theme of pilgrimage, which immediately raises a question regarding the nature of the novel: What is the journey really about?

Centuries-long debates about the journey’s deeper message center on the 16th century novel. Traditional commentators in late imperial China adopted a variety of approaches to the novel and underscored its connections with different religious and philosophical doctrines: Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and syntheses of those teachings.

For example, all these teachings highlight the role of the “xin” – a Chinese word for mind and heart – in self-cultivation. While Confucian readers might see the plot of “Journey to the West” as the quest for a more moral life, Buddhists might decipher it as an inward journey toward enlightenment.

In the early 20th century, Chinese scholar and diplomat Hu Shi criticized traditional allegorical interpretations, which he feared would make the novel seem less approachable for the general public.

His opinion influenced Arthur Waley’s “Monkey ,” an abridged English translation of “Journey to the West” published in 1942, which has contributed to the canonization of the novel abroad . To a considerable extent, “Monkey” turns the pilgrims’ journey into Monkey’s own journey of self-improvement and personal growth.

Recent scholarship has further underlined religious and ritual connotations of the novel from different perspectives, and debates over the issue continue. But few people would deny that one idea plays a crucial role: the Monkey King as a symbol of the mind.

Mind monkey

There has been a long tradition in Chinese culture that associates the image of a simian creature with the human mind. On the one hand, a monkey often symbolizes a restless mind, calling for discipline and cultivation. On the other hand, an active mind also opens up the opportunity to challenge the status quo and even transcend it, progressing to a higher state.

The Monkey King in the novel demonstrates this dual dimension of the mind . He vividly displays adaptability in exploring uncharted territories and adjusting to changing circumstances – and learning to rely on teamwork and self-discipline, not merely his magic powers.

Before being sent on the pilgrimage, the Monkey King’s quest for self-gratification wreaked havoc in heaven and led to his imprisonment by the Buddha. The goddess Guanyin agreed to give him a second chance on the condition that he join the other pilgrims and assist them. His journey is fraught with the tensions between self-discipline and self-reliance, as he learns how to channel his physical and mental powers for good.

The Monkey King’s human qualities, from arrogance to fear, endow him with universal appeal. Readers gradually witness his self-improvement, revealing a common human quest. They may frown upon how the Monkey King is entrapped within his own ego, yet respect his courage in challenging authority and battling adversity. While his mischievous tricks give a good laugh, his loyalty to the monk Xuanzang and his sense of righteousness make a lasting impression.

Reviewing Waley’s “Monkey” in 1943 , Chinese-American writer Helena Kuo commented of the pilgrims: “Humanity would have missed a great deal if they have been exemplary characters.” Indeed, each one depicts humanity’s quest for a better self, particularly the main character. Monkeying around on the path of life, this simian companion captivates readers – and makes them consider their own journey.

• Confucianism
• Chinese culture
• Religion and society
• classic novels
• Ancient texts
• Ancient wisdom

Senior Lecturer - Earth System Science

Operations Coordinator

Sydney Horizon Educators (Identified)

Deputy Social Media Producer

Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

The Monk and the Poet: Meet the Rebels behind the Legendary “Journey to the West”

• Read Later  

Hsi-yu chi , or Journey to the West, is a Chinese novel published in the 16th century, during the Ming Dynasty. The novel adds elements from a bewildering array of Asian cultural lore, as well as from the three major religious traditions of China (Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism). Adding elements of the pantheon of Taoist immortals and Buddhist teachings which are still reflective of some religious attitudes today, the story is considered so relevant that it becomes the basis of many retellings, movies, video games and animes.

Although Journey to the West may be considered as a pleasant introduction to the calm and gentle Buddhist philosophy, behind this story is in fact a real journey by a Buddhist monk ten centuries earlier who defied his emperor and became a fugitive questing his way to India. Also behind this story is a passionate poet who broke China’s literary tradition and wrote something for the common man at the expense of his own reputation.

The Journey of a Monk and His Divine Protectors 

The story of The Journey to the West follows one of Sakyamuni Buddha’s disciples who was banished from the heavenly paradise for slighting the Buddhist precepts. He was sent to the human world and forced to spend ten lifetimes practicing religious self-cultivation in order to atone for his sins.

In the Tang Dynasty, (and now in his tenth lifetime) the disciple reincarnates as a monk named Xuanzang (also known as Tang Monk and Tripitaka). The emperor orders Xuanzang to travel west and bring the holy Mahayana Buddhist scriptures back to China. After being inspired by a vision from the goddess Guanyin, he accepts the mission and sets off on the quest.

A statue of the legendary Xuanzang. (CC BY 2.0)

After ten lifetimes of self-cultivations, Xuanzang is no ordinary monk. His flesh is said to impart immortality. However, the weak and timid young monk is no match for the evil creatures seeking to kill and eat him, and therefore is ill-equipped for such perilous travel on his own. Knowing this, the goddess Guanyin provides the monks with four divine protectors who agree to help him as an atonement for their own sins.

Statue of Guan Yin in the courtyard of Daien-in Temple, Mount Koya, Japan. ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )

These protectors are the monkey king, and former Keeper of the Heavenly Horses, Sun Wukong who was punished for rebelling against heaven and for eating the heavenly peaches, the former Commander of the Heavenly Naval Forces Zhu Wuneng who was banished to earth for flirting, the former Celestial Curtain Lifting General Sha Wujing who was banished to earth for shattering a goblet of the Celestial Queen Mother, and the dragon prince Yulong who was sentenced to death for setting fire to his father's great pearl. Out of mercy, Guanyin gives them one more chance to return to their celestial home if they agree to protect the monk on his pilgrimage.

Sculpture depicting the companions in Journey to the West. ( CC BY 2.0 )

Indeed, it is a very difficult journey as they encounter one trial after another. They are never short on demons and evil spirits coming after the monk through force or deception and through wealth or beauty. Yet, in the end, the pilgrims triumph and return to China with sacred scriptures – later achieving their rightful places in the heavens.

The Original Xuanzang: the Fugitive Monk who Obtained the Sutras

The Journey to the West is based on a true story— the legendary pilgrimage of a seventh century Buddhist monk from Chang’an, Xuanzang, who traveled to the "west"— that is Central Asia and India, to obtain Buddhist sacred texts and then returned to China after many trials and suffering.

This is a free preview of an exclusive article from Ancient Origins PREMIUM.

To enjoy the rest of this article please join us there . When you subscribe, you get immediate and full access to all Premium articles , free eBooks, webinars by expert guests, discounts for online stores, and much more!

• The Evolution of Wisdom: A Study of the Evolution of Perception as Understood by Ancient Religions
• Buddhism in Ancient Egypt and Meroe – Beliefs Revealed Through Ancient Script
• The Life and Adventures of Marco Polo

Top Image: A painting depicting a scene from the Chinese classic, Journey to the West. The painting shows the four heros of the story, left to right: Sun Wukong, Xuanzang, Zhu Wuneng, and Sha Wujing. ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )

By  Martini Fisher

The story was very aptly portrayed in the Japanese manga & anime, Saiyuki.

- Moonsong -------------------------------------------- A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world ~ Oscar Wilde

Martini Fisher comes from a family of history and culture buffs. She graduated from Macquarie University, Australia, with a degree in Ancient History. Although her interest in history is diverse, Martini is especially interested in  mythologies, folklores and ancient funerary... Read More

Related Articles on Ancient-Origins

The Monkey and the Monk

An abridgment of the journey to the west.

Translated by Anthony C. Yu

Anthony C. Yu’s celebrated translation of The Journey to the West reinvigorated one of Chinese literature’s most beloved classics for English-speaking audiences when it first appeared thirty years ago. Yu’s abridgment of his four-volume translation, The Monkey and the Monk , finally distills the epic novel’s most exciting and meaningful episodes without taking anything away from their true spirit.  These fantastic episodes recount the adventures of Xuanzang, a seventh-century monk who became one of China’s most illustrious religious heroes after traveling for sixteen years in search of Buddhist scriptures. Powerfully combining religious allegory with humor, fantasy, and satire, accounts of Xuanzang’s journey were passed down for a millennium before culminating in the sixteenth century with The Journey to the West . Now, readers of The Monkey and the Monk can experience the full force of his lengthy quest as he travels to India with four animal disciples, most significant among them a guardian-monkey known as “the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.” Moreover, in its newly streamlined form, this acclaimed translation of a seminal work of world literature is sure to attract an entirely new following of students and fans.  “A new translation of a major literary text which totally supersedes the best existing version. . . . It establishes beyond contention the position of The Journey to the West in world literature, while at the same time throwing open wide the doors to interpretive study on the part of the English audience.”— Modern Language Notes , on the unabridged translation

528 pages | 1 line drawing | 6 x 9 | © 2006

Asian Studies: East Asia

Literature and Literary Criticism: Asian Languages

• Table of contents
• Author Events

Related Titles

“This is a deftly streamlined version of Anthony Yu’s complete translation of the famous Ming dynasty novel The Journey to the West . The Monkey and the Monk offers a generous selection of carefully chosen chapters, preserving the essential outlines of the story and including all of the main characters who are familiar to young and old alike in China: the monk, the monkey, the white horse, the pig, and the sand-spirit. Reading through this marvelous abridgment, one can experience the whole range of rapture and transformation occasioned by the pilgrimage to India in search of Buddhist scriptures undertaken by the Tang monk Xuanzang and his four faithful companions.”<Victor H. Mair, translator of Wandering on the Way and Tao Te Ching >

Victor H. Mair, translator of Wandering on the Way and Tao Te Ching

 “A new translation of a major literary text which totally supersedes the best existing version. . . . It establishes beyond contention the position of The Journey to the West in world literature, while at the same time throwing open wide the doors to interpretive study on the part of the English audience.”< Modern Language Notes , on the unabridged translation>

Modern Language Notes, on the unabridged translation

“One of the greatest ventures of our time in humanistic translation and publication.” — New York Times Book Review , on the unabridged translation>

New York Times Book Review, on the unabridged translation

"The Journey to the West tells the story of monk Xuanzang’s 17-year journey from Tang China to India in the seventh century to secure Buddhist texts for translation. Anthony C. Yu, Professor Emeritus of Humanities at the University of Chicago, who produced a massive, wonderful four-volume translation of the work in the 1970s and 1980s, has now written a single-volume, concise version of the epic. Blending cosmology, scripture, adventure, rivers 800 miles wide, and travelogue, this elegant volume retains a mythic quality and is full of musical language and the pomp of classical Chinese literature." — R. K. Dickson, Bloomsbury Review  

R. K. Dickson | Bloomsbury Review

Table of Contents

A certain justice, the passion book.

Gendun Chopel

The Rise and Fall of Modern Japanese Literature

John Whittier Treat

For Dignity, Justice, and Revolution

Norma Field

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

Tang Sanzang, an aspiring Buddhist hero tries to protect a village from three demons. He develops complex feelings for Miss Duan, the demon hunter who repeatedly helps him, and finally quest... Read all Tang Sanzang, an aspiring Buddhist hero tries to protect a village from three demons. He develops complex feelings for Miss Duan, the demon hunter who repeatedly helps him, and finally quests to meet the legendary Monkey King. Tang Sanzang, an aspiring Buddhist hero tries to protect a village from three demons. He develops complex feelings for Miss Duan, the demon hunter who repeatedly helps him, and finally quests to meet the legendary Monkey King.

• Stephen Chow
• Chi-Kin Kwok
• 65 User reviews
• 51 Critic reviews
• 68 Metascore
• 2 wins & 21 nominations

• Prince Important

• Master Nameless

• Fist of the North Star
• (as Xingyu)

• Killer Wu …

• Taoist Priest

• Almighty Foot
• (as Charlie Zhang)

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia This was the highest grossing film of 2013 in China, making 1.247 billion yuan.
• Goofs Set in ancient China, the female demon hunter Killer Si has shaved armpits, something unheard of in that period.
• Connections Followed by Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back (2017)
• Soundtracks Love In A Life Time Composed by Lowell Lo Original Lyrics by Tang Shu Chen Lyrics by Wendyz Zheng Performed by Shu Qi Imar Music Entertainment Co., Ltd. Rock Music Publishing Co., Ltd.

User reviews 65

• May 24, 2013
• How long is Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons? Powered by Alexa
• February 7, 2013 (China)
• Official Site
• Heng Dian, China
• Bingo Movie Development
• Film Workshop
• Huayi Brothers Media
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• Mar 9, 2014
• $205,637,183

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 50 minutes
• Dolby Atmos

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, journey to the west.

Now streaming on:

By turns daffy and dazzling, awkward and artful, "Journey to the West" takes an ancient tale and gives it contemporary flair.

In adapting one of the Four Great Classical Novels of 16th-century Chinese literature, co-directors Stephen Chow and Derek Kwok have crafted a rollicking fantasy—a crazy fable that ultimately reaffirms the power of faith. Their giant martial-arts set pieces are nothing short of extraordinary; lively and lovely, they're filled with both great intricacy and innovation.

These scenes, which can be both wildly slapsticky and minutely graceful, provide the film with a winning, driving energy. And then when they're over, the characters unfortunately have to talk.

"Journey to the West" follows a goofy but sincere Buddhist monk named Xuan Zang ( Zhang Wen ), a young demon hunter who must vanquish a series of foes en route to his ultimate showdown with the notorious, shape-shifting Monkey King ( Bo Huang ). When we first see him, in the film's lengthy, tour-de-force opening sequence, he's helping a bunch of frightened villagers take down a giant, hungry fish that's leaping from the water and wreaking havoc. The comedy has a Mel Brooks-like sensibility about it that's appealing; it's playful in a deadly-serious situation. (Chow also directed the pleasingly cartoonish " Shaolin Soccer " and " Kung Fu Hustle .") But the choreography is undeniable: a breathtaking series of near misses and tricky balancing acts.

Xuan's preferred, absurd method of attack, per his mentor, is to tame the beasts by singing lullabies to them from a book called "300 Nursery Rhymes." The sweetness and innocence within Zhang's performance feels very Keanu Reeves circa "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure," complete with a mop of wild hair. This is actually a compliment.

The rival demon hunter he keeps running into, a catlike creature known as Miss Duan ( Qi Shu ), favors a more direct strategy: She takes them on through balletic physical battles with the help of a magical golden bracelet—"The Infinite Flying Ring"—which she can duplicate countless times. As she flings the circles through the air like lethal boomerangs, her targets explode in a burst of dust. It's an awesome sight to behold.

But then "Journey to the West" has an episodic structure that saps it of much of the momentum it gains during those thrilling set pieces. Xuan and Duan have one adventure, then another, than another. They meet one eccentric character, then another, then another. There's a tiger demon and a pig demon. There's a preening royal known as Prince Important (clearly a friend of President Business from " The Lego Movie ") and an elderly man known as the Almighty Foot, whose shriveled limb expands to an enormous size when the time comes for him to stomp on his enemies. (He might have the best catch phrase ever: "Today, you will die by my almighty foot!")

Along the way, Xuan and Duan trade some stilted and truly cringe-worthy dialogue—initially about their conflicting strategies, eventually about the half-hearted romance that develops between them. Out of nowhere, Duan finds herself falling hard for her unlikely companion and throwing herself at him in increasingly elaborate ways.

Maybe it's written that way on the page, but on the screen—especially in a film that benefits from such a strong and fearless female—the sudden need to have a man define her is a disheartening cliché. Also, some of the interactions between the male characters carry more than a whiff of homophobia which seems archaic. Again, maybe that's from the source material. But a film that clearly went out of its way to appeal to modern audiences perhaps could have gone just a tiny bit further.

Christy Lemire

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

Now playing

In the Land of Saints and Sinners

Brian tallerico.

You'll Never Find Me

Sheila o'malley.

You Can Call Me Bill

Clint worthington.

Chicken for Linda!

Robert daniels.

Food, Inc. 2

Glenn kenny, film credits.

Journey to the West (2014)

Rated PG-13

110 minutes

Zhang Wen as Xuan Zang

Qi Shu as MIss Duan

Bo Huang as Monkey King

• Stephen Chow
• Derek Kwok Chi-Kin

Latest blog posts

Ebertfest Film Festival Over the Years

The 2024 Chicago Palestine Film Festival Highlights

Man on the Moon Is Still the Cure for the Biopic Blues

Part of the Solution: Matthew Modine on Acting, Empathy, and Hard Miles

A Collection of Stories from Penn's Organizational Dynamics Program

The Heroes’ Journey of Journey to the West – Jing Peng

While I was reading Huntchen’s 9 phases of the Hero’s Journey, it reminds me of my favorite Chinese work of literature Journey to the West. It is an epic tale of the journey of the monk Xuanzang and is one of the most influential works in Chinese literary history. Xuanzang, the incarnation of the Buddha, is sent by the Tang emperor to India to obtain direct copies of the original Buddhist sutras. On his journey he’s helped by four disciples: Sun Wukong, known as the Monkey King, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing or Sand. Xuanzang’s final companion is Yulong, a son of the Dragon King of the West Sea. Out of the four protagonists, the Monkey King is the main protagonist, he is powerful, stubborn, mischievous and yet kind-hearted. The Monkey King is immortal, capable of wreaking havoc in heaven, and fighting off its most powerful generals without breaking a sweat. I’m going to break down this novel by using Huntchen’s structures.

I. Call of the adventure Growing up in a temple as an orphan, Xuanzang was chosen to complete the task to fetch the scriptures. Thus Xuanzang starts on his pilgrimage to the Western Heavens.

II. Refusing of the adventure Both Monkey King and Zhu Bajie rejected the task appointed to them by the Goddess Guanyin, they had living a comfortable life and had their own territories. There was no reason for them to upend what they had to undertake such a perilous mission.

III. Meeting the mentor After Monkey King rejected the task to accompany Xuanzang, the monk started the journey alone. The Goddess Guanyin plotted to have Monkey King cross paths with Xuanzang while he was on his way. Xuanzang was given a magical hair clasp by Guanyin, if he could trick Monkey King to wear it, than Monkey had to become his disciple and go to the West with him. After a short encounter, Monkey King was fooled into wearing the hair clasp and became submissive to Xuanzang and agreed to the journey with Xuanzang.

IV. The Approach Xuanzang was aware that this pilgrimage wouldn’t be easy, that’s why he was appointed four disciples to protect him along the way. They encountered a multitude of demons and temptations along the way, but despite these adversities, they were determined to get the holy sutras and continued.

V. The Ordeal In this novel, there were 81 hurdles designed by the author, these acted as a test for Xuanzang and his disciples. The hurdles were a combination of physical, mental and emotional trials which consisted of temptations, their great nemesis and even their deepest vulnerabilities. The demon’s motivation was to eat Xuanzang because by doing so can gain immortality. Zhu Bajie’s biggest vulnerability is that he can’t resist beautiful women, the demons always try to take advantage of that and set up traps.

VI. The Reward After they had been formed as a team for a while, the five of them finally developed rapport and trust with each other. They developed the ability to tell which demons were evil and which needed help instead. They became confident in each other’s skills and abilities and they knew that they would reach their destination within a short time.

VII. The Road Back When they thought that there weren’t any more difficulties in front of them, the demon’s had one final trick up their sleeves. There was a seasoned and wily demon who tricked the monk, the demon transformed into an old woman and asked Xuanzang for help. Xuanzong thought she was really a human and wanted to help her. However, Monkey King recognized the old woman was a demon immediately and killed her in front of the monk. Xuanzong was furious and cast a spell on the Monkey King. Both physically and mentally hurt, Monkey King left them and returned home. The journey was in danger of falling apart without the Monkey King.

VIII. Resurrection This group finally arrived in India after 81 hurdles and ordeals, when they asked for the sutras, they were asked to give something in return, they refused this trade. As a result, the scriptures they were handed were wordless. So they had to turn to the Buddha from Heaven for help. Monkey King returned to the fellowship and Buddha agreed to let them pass the test and told them the right thing to do in order to get the scriptures.

XI. Return with the Elixir Once they had achieved their objective, the group was able to return home and took the sutras back to the Tang Emperor with honor. This story telling structure is indeed remarkable. Journey to the West is one of the most beloved stories in China and has a huge impact in Asia and the world. Every year in China and Japan, there will be hundreds of movies, video games and apps derived from this mythic tale. Despite its age, the story and the structure has a timeless appeal to the mass audiences.

• Literature & Fiction
• History & Criticism

Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Amazon Prime includes:

Fast, FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with Fast, FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button.

• Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
• Unlimited Free Two-Day Delivery
• Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
• A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
• Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
• Unlimited photo storage with anywhere access

Important:  Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.

Buy new: $18.35 $18.35 FREE delivery: Monday, April 29 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon. Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Return this item for free.

Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges

• Go to your orders and start the return
• Select the return method

Buy used: $13.90

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the authors

The Monkey and the Monk: An Abridgment of The Journey to the West Paperback – November 15, 2006

Purchase options and add-ons.

Anthony C. Yu’s celebrated translation of The Journey to the West reinvigorated one of Chinese literature’s most beloved classics for English-speaking audiences when it first appeared thirty years ago. Yu’s abridgment of his four-volume translation, The Monkey and the Monk , finally distills the epic novel’s most exciting and meaningful episodes without taking anything away from their true spirit.  These fantastic episodes recount the adventures of Xuanzang, a seventh-century monk who became one of China’s most illustrious religious heroes after traveling for sixteen years in search of Buddhist scriptures. Powerfully combining religious allegory with humor, fantasy, and satire, accounts of Xuanzang’s journey were passed down for a millennium before culminating in the sixteenth century with The Journey to the West . Now, readers of The Monkey and the Monk can experience the full force of his lengthy quest as he travels to India with four animal disciples, most significant among them a guardian-monkey known as “the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.” Moreover, in its newly streamlined form, this acclaimed translation of a seminal work of world literature is sure to attract an entirely new following of students and fans.  “A new translation of a major literary text which totally supersedes the best existing version. . . . It establishes beyond contention the position of The Journey to the West in world literature, while at the same time throwing open wide the doors to interpretive study on the part of the English audience.”— Modern Language Notes , on the unabridged translation

• Print length 511 pages
• Language English
• Publisher University of Chicago Press
• Publication date November 15, 2006
• Dimensions 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 9780226971568
• ISBN-13 978-0226971568
• See all details

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may ship from close to you

Editorial Reviews

About the author.

Anthony C. Yu is the Carl Darling Buck Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in Humanities and Professor, The Divinity School, Departments of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, English Language and Literature, Comparative Literature, and the Committee on Social Thought, The University of Chicago.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0226971562
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Chicago Press; 1st edition (November 15, 2006)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 511 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780226971568
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0226971568
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.69 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• #1,156 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
• #1,231 in Fiction Satire
• #3,649 in Classic Literature & Fiction

About the authors

Anthony c. yu.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Cheng'en Wu

Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

• LIVE DISCOURSE
• BLOG / OPINION
• SUBMIT PRESS RELEASE
• Advertisement
• Knowledge Partnership
• Media Partnership
• Art & Culture

Indradyumna Swami Pens Captivating Memoir: 'Adventures of a Travelling Monk' Unveiled by HarperCollins

Its a unique account of how a marine, deeply affected by the vietnam war, became a disciple of srila a.c. bhaktivedanta swami and followed his gurus instruction to spread krishnas message globally for the rest of his life. praise for adventures of a travelling monk indradyumna swami is one of the most amazing people to be roaming our planet..

HarperCollins Publishers presents 'ADVENTURES OF A TRAVELLING MONK: A Memoir by Indradyumna Swami' ABOUT THE BOOK 'Adventures of a Travelling Monk illustrates a soul's search for meaning, purpose and bliss. Everyone's journey looks different, but this book will give you the courage to walk yours.' - JAY SHETTY 'With my time in the Marines behind me, I gradually found myself on a personal quest for answers, a spiritual journey. I had left behind the disciplined life of a soldier and was wandering in search of meaning.' Deeply affected by the death and misery he witnessed during the Vietnam War, Lance Corporal Brian Tibbitts embarked in pursuit of the real meaning and purpose of life. To his dismay, none of the major spiritual and religious texts he read could answer his questions … until he found Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gītā As It Is and met the man who would become his guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON.

At the age of twenty-one, Brian Tibbitts was initiated as Indradyumna Swami and, following the instruction of his spiritual master to 'preach boldly and have faith in the holy names', he left the USA in 1971. What followed was a roller coaster journey across the globe. From surviving attacks in post-war Sarajevo to being mistaken as a terror suspect in North America to losing all his clothes and his way at the Kumbh Mela, Swami ji's life has been one adventure after another. Inspirational and engrossing, Adventures of a Travelling Monk is a riveting account of the full fifty years of Indradyumna Swami's active service in the Hare Krishna movement.

Indradyumna Swami says, ''Amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War, I found solace in my guru's teachings and adopted the life of a traveling monk. This book Adventures of a Traveling Monk is not just my memoir; it's your passport to embrace life's mysteries. Join me.'' Sachin Sharma, Associate Publisher, HarperCollins says, ''Indradyumna Swami's memoir documenting his journey of more than five decades with ISKCON makes for an unputdownable book. It's a unique account of how a marine, deeply affected by the Vietnam war, became a disciple of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami and followed his Guru's instruction to spread Krishna's message globally for the rest of his life.'' PRAISE FOR ADVENTURES OF A TRAVELLING MONK Indradyumna Swami is one of the most amazing people to be roaming our planet. The places he goes to, the people he meets and the intriguing experiences he encounters are filled with incredible suspense, hope and humour. His story reveals the magic of life, wherein joy, faith and love can be dynamically discovered in a world often defined by confusion, suffering and conflict. Adventures of a Travelling Monk is a long-awaited publication wherein Indradyumna Swami shares the spiritual treasures of his extraordinary heart. Let us now join him on an unforgettable adventure.

—RADHANATH SWAMI An intrepid modern-day sadhu takes his readers along for the journey as he carries the wisdom of India to all corners of the globe. I couldn't put this book down. It is a remarkable story of a remarkable life.

—GAURANGA DAS ABOUT THE AUTHOR Indradyumna Swami is a travelling monk and spiritual teacher in the bhakti yoga tradition. His profound compassion and zest to share the spiritual culture of India has inspired him to traverse the globe for the last fifty years. He is an innovative and visionary leader who has transformed the lives of thousands worldwide, enriching and inspiring people on their spiritual journeys.

ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS INDIA HarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian Subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 3,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, The Erasmus Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live! Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Sahitya Akademi Award, and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover, Nosy Crow, and Quarto. HarperCollins India is India's most awarded publisher seven Publisher of the Year Awards (2015, 2016, 2018, two in 2021, 2022, and 2024). HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.

PRESS CONTACT: Prerna Singh, Senior Manager – Marketing & Publicity Email: [email protected] Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2393274/Adventures_of_a_Travelling_Monk.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105077/4095906/HarperCollins_Logo.jpg

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

• READ MORE ON:
• Associate Publisher
• HarperCollins
• Srila Prabhupada's
• Tata Literature Live
• Prerna Singh
• North America
• Crossword Book Award
• Harvard University Press
• Indradyumna Swami'
• Erasmus Prize
• THE BOOK 'Adventures of a Travelling Monk

Palaniswami strains every nerve for the AIADMK to bounce back in LS polls

Swami dipankar's 'bhiksha yatra' celebrates monumental milestone in journey to build caste-free society, janet yellen's culinary adventures in china captivate the internet, swami vivekananda u20 men's national football championship to start in narainpur, skm slams bjp for not mentioning msp at swaminathan commission formula in manifesto.

Patnaik, Pandian among star campaigners of BJD

Andhra minister Botsa Satyanarayana criticizes TDP-BJP alliance over steel p...

Health News Roundup: USDA confirms cow-to-cow transmission a factor in bird ...

Yamaha Motor announces participation in Formula E, aiming to contribute to c...

Latest news, hero motocorp's cto arun jaura steps down, "is giving job, msp, the programs of muslim league": kharge hits back at bjp, cbi summons newsclick hr head amit chakraborty for questioning in tihar jail over fcra violations, shiromani akali dal unveils five more candidates for lok sabha elections: harsimrat kaur badal from bathinda, swaran singh salaria from jalandhar.

OPINION / BLOG / INTERVIEW

Sustainable tech: innovations in green computing and energy efficiency, vertical cities: architectural innovations and the future of urban living, the intersection of artificial intelligence, automation, and human contribution, the digital divide in urban areas: addressing connectivity and accessibility, connect us on.

• ADVERTISEMENT
• KNOWLEDGE PARTNERSHIP
• MEDIA PARTNERSHIP
• Agro-Forestry
• Economy & Business
• Energy & Extractives
• Law & Governance
• Science & Environment
• Social & Gender
• Urban Development
• East and South East Asia
• Europe and Central Asia
• Central Africa
• East Africa
• Southern Africa
• West Africa
• Middle East and North Africa
• Latin America and Caribbean

OTHER LINKS

• Write for us
• Submit Press Release
• Opinion / Blog / Analysis
• Business News
• Entertainment News
• Technology News
• Law-order News
• Lifestyle News
• National News
• International News

OTHER PRODUCTS

Email: [email protected] Phone: +91-720-6444012, +91-7027739813, 14, 15

© Copyright 2024

Flagship City Comedy Fest returns to Erie for second year with new lineup of headliners

The Flagship City Comedy Fest is back with a handful of headliners and a boatload of other performers sailing into Erie-area venues.

The laughs kick off this Thursday and run through April 28, according to the fest website .

The headliners

Steve Wrigley , a comic from New Zealand fresh off touring his debut American album "States of America," will get the fest started Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Goodell Gardens & Homestead, 221 Waterford St., Edinboro. $30.

Reena Calm 's comedy includes her journey from Israel to Boston to Chicago and across all 50 states in her minivan. She'll be at Room 33, 1033 State St., on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. $15.

Derek Sheen , described as a "cuddly mess of insecurities" and a master storyteller, will take the stage Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 10/20 Collective, 1020 Holland St. $15.

Sean Patton 's credits include Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "Conan" and his own Comedy Central special. He'll be at the Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St., Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m. $20-$25.

Luke Null 's musical comedy style blending witty humor with catchy earworms earned him a spot as a featured player on "Saturday Night Live" for a year. He'll be at 1020 Collective on April 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. $15.

More than 30 other comedians also will perform during the fest.

From 2023: First Flagship City Comedy Fest aims to bring laughs to Erie from all over the nation

Other fest shows

Also on the schedule:

Comedy at Calamari's Squid Row, 1317 State St.; Friday, 5:30-7:25 p.m. $10.

Monster Monster at Erie Movie House, 3424 West Lake Road; Friday, 11 p.m., to Saturday, 1 a.m. $10.

Black Monk's Comedy Show Case, 3721 W. 12th St.; Saturday, 5-7 p.m. Free.

Also on stages: Godsmack, Collective Soul, In This Moment, more: Rock music acts head to Erie

Not Your Grandma's Brunch Show at the Zone, 133 W. Eighth St.; April 28, 11 a.m.-noon. $30.

Ink Laughs at Andromeda Studios, 3735 West Lake Road; April 28, 3:30-5:30 p.m. $10.

Info and tickets

For more information and tickets, visit www.flagshipcitycomedyfest.com .

Dana Massing can be reached at [email protected] .