“Eight Precepts Stone.” Does the name sound familiar? It should if you know “Journey to the West”. Welcome to the story of \u8c6c\u516b\u6212\u77f3. This isn’t just any rock. It’s a tribute to Zhu Bajie from the classic Chinese novel.
Let’s dive into who Zhu Bajie is. He is also known as Zhu Wuneng. Zhu Bajie is one of the three helpers of Tang Sanzang. The others are Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing. He is a major character in the 16th-century novel. “Zhu” means swine. “Bajie” means eight precepts.
Before Guanyin recruited him, he was Zhu Ganglie. That means Strong-Maned Pig. Zhu Bajie is a complex character. He’s part human and part pig. He often causes trouble. This is because of his laziness and gluttony. Also his lust for pretty women plays a role.
He respects Sun Wukong. Wukong is like a big brother to him. Zhu Bajie sometimes rebels when Wukong teases him. But his plans usually end in his own humiliation. Guanyin gave him the Buddhist name Zhu Wuneng. It means pig who is aware of ability. Tang Sanzang nicknamed him Bajie. This means eight restraints. It reminds him of his Buddhist diet. In the novel, people often call him dizi meaning idiot.
Zhu Bajie used to be Tiānpēng Yuánshuài. He was commander-in-chief of 80000 Celestial sailors. But he was banished for misbehavior. He tried to seduce Chang’e the goddess of the Moon. The Jade Emperor found out and banished him to Earth. He was reborn as a man-eating pig-monster known as Zhū Gāngliè.
In “Journey to the West”, Wukong and Tang Sanzang arrive at Gao village. A village elder’s daughter has been kidnapped. The abductor left a marriage demand. Wukong learns Bajie is behind it. Bajie had also been recruited by Guanyin. He was to join their pilgrimage. He needed to atone for his past sins.
At the end of the novel, others achieve enlightenment. They become arhats. Zhu Bajie doesn’t. He’s still too much a creature of his desires. But he is rewarded for his part in the pilgrimage. He becomes Cleanser of the Altars. He gets all the leftovers he can eat.
Zhu Bajie’s weapon is the nine-toothed rake. It was refined from divine ice-iron. Lord Lao Zi himself hammered it. The Five Emperors applied their minds to it. The Six Dings and Six Jias went to great efforts. It is a powerful and unique weapon.
So, as you stand before the \u8c6c\u516b\u6212\u77f3 think of Zhu Bajie. Remember his flaws and his contributions. He reminds us that even flawed characters can play an important role. He may not have reached enlightenment but he was essential to the journey.