Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.60

v2.c10.60

the story of how the Tang Monk, Sha Wujing, Pigsy and Sun Wukong experience numerous difficulties and dangers, combat various demons, and finally arrive in the Indian Gridhakuta and then meet Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, and obtain the scripture. In language, structure, figures and plots, *Journey to the West* was indeed the product of the influence of Buddhism and also that of cultural communication between India and China. Because Xuanzang’s journey to India and his pilgrimage were legendary, and have produced a great impact on later generations, the story of Xuanzang’s journey to the West is found in many scholars’ records and folklore since the 9ᵗʰ and 10ᵗʰ centuries. For example, *Tang Sanzang* in the 10ᵗʰ century (or 12ᵗʰ century) has turned Xuanzang’s journey into myth. In the late 10ᵗʰ century or later, the drama of *Tang Sanzang* was performed among popular audiences. In the 14ᵗʰ century, the poetic drama *Journey to the West* compiled by Yang Jingxian (the 14ᵗʰ century) was performed, and another novel in the same name was circulated. All these indicate that Wu Cheng’en’s *Journey to the West* was created by collecting, adapting and processing various kinds of folklore. Besides Wu Cheng’en’s work, various versions of *Journey to the West* were handed down, as well as some in continuation, for example, *Continued Journey to the West*, *Added Journey to the West* and *Late Journey to the West*, suggesting that Xuanzang’s stories were widely known, and Buddhism and India were interesting topics for Chinese people.