The novel was popularized in English through the abridged translation of Arthur Waley published as Monkey in 1943. “Background Information for Teaching Journey to the West” is designed to provide instructors with materials to enlarge their understanding of the text, whether spending one day on the teaching unit given, or one or two weeks on a larger reading selection from the novel.Īuthorship of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West (Xiyou Ji or Hsi-yu Chi), has not been established beyond doubt, but most scholars accept attribution of the popular 100-chapter version to Wu Cheng’en (c.1500-c.1582), who wrote during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 C.E.). “Dialogue and Transformation: Buddhism in Asian Philosophy”.“Buddhist Art in East Asia: Three Introductory Lessons towards Visual Literacy”.“Foundations and Transformations of Buddhism” (see this unit for explanations of terms and basic concepts of Buddhism).The unit can be used by itself or in combination with the following other units on Buddhism in East Asia: (See also “ Journey to the West in World Literature Courses” below.) Discussion questions and paper topics are provided for using the text in courses in World Literature I and II, comparing the text to others that might appear on those syllabi. Given the late 16 th-century date of the text, it can be taught in the middle of a one-semester World Literature course or at the end or beginning of a course in World Literature I or II. Given the accessibility of the text, it works well in courses in world literature, world novel, and Asian studies, and could also form part of the reading list for courses in world religions. This unit centers on Buddhist elements of the text, with the goal of providing instructors with materials for discussing in depth two specific passages from Chapter 14 which highlight Buddhist ideas.

Many approaches can be taken to teaching excerpts from Journey to the West, a novel that incorporates the three major philosophies of China: Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism.

Journey to the West download the new