Story Summary
Experience the climax of Journey to the West in The True Scriptures as Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang reach Vulture Peak to claim the sacred Buddhist texts.
After fourteen years of perilous travel across desolate mountains and through demon-haunted lands, Tang Sanzang and his three disciples—Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing—finally reached the Western Heaven and Vulture Peak, the dwelling of the Buddha. To their dismay, the honored disciples Ananda and Kasyapa initially presented them with wordless, blank scrolls because the pilgrims lacked a gift for the temple. Only after Sanzang surrendered his purple-gold alms bowl—the last vestige of his worldly status—were they granted the 5,048 scrolls of the True Scriptures. These texts were meant to bring salvation to the suffering souls of the East. As the group ascended back to the Tang Empire on the back of a celestial wind, they realized that the hardships of the road were the very trials that had purified their souls. Upon delivering the scrolls, the pilgrims were rewarded with godhood, proving that the true scripture was the transformation they experienced along the way.
The Moral
True enlightenment and wisdom are not found in books alone, but through the perseverance, sacrifice, and growth experienced during life's journey.
“The wordless scriptures are the true scriptures, but the people of the East are too blind to read them.”
Fun Fact
The historical monk Xuanzang actually spent 17 years traveling to India and returned with 657 Sanskrit texts, which he spent the rest of his life translating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The True Scriptures?
The moral is that spiritual enlightenment is earned through perseverance and personal transformation rather than simply obtaining knowledge. The journey itself is as important as the destination.
Why did the disciples receive blank scriptures at first?
They were initially given wordless scriptures because the monks demanded a bribe, but also to symbolize that the highest truths cannot be expressed in written words alone.
What happened to Sun Wukong after reaching the West?
For his bravery and protection of the priest, Sun Wukong was granted the title of 'Victorious Fighting Buddha,' achieving full enlightenment and release from his past sins.
What did Tang Sanzang have to give up for the scriptures?
He had to surrender his purple-gold alms bowl, a gift from the Tang Emperor, which represented his final attachment to his earthly life and identity.
How many scriptures were brought back to China?
The legend states that the pilgrims returned with 5,048 scrolls of Buddhist sutras, which were meant to be translated to help the people of the Tang Empire.
Is Journey to the West based on a true story?
Yes, it is a mythological retelling of the real-life pilgrimage of the 7th-century monk Xuanzang, who traveled to India to retrieve Sanskrit Buddhist texts.
