This is post is part of the series of posts written on the lessons from Journey to the West (1996 TVB version).
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Tang Sanzang (Golden Cicada)- the teacher
Every year in heaven, the Buddha would arrange for a great gathering where chanting and Dhamma is shared. 1500 years ago, who can guess that during a gathering, the Buddha was to banish one of his favorite disciples down to earth.
Tang Shazang (in his previous life) and Guan Yin in the annual heavenly gathering
It was during that gathering, as the Buddha was speaking the Dhamma, a loud snoring sound was heard in the assembly. The favourite disciple was fast asleep and snoring that is….
Tang Shazang falling asleep as Buddha was delivering a sermon
The Buddha went on the say that he had undergo very much hardship to achieve Buddhahood. Despite being one of his favourite disciple, he was to be banished to earth to go through the difficulties in the Journey to the West to take back the sutras. The disciple would bear the name Tang Sanzang (Golden Cicada).
Buddha instructed the kneeling Tang Shazang that he had to come down to earth with a mission
When he was born as a human being, he ordained as a monk from a very young age.
Next>>> Story of Sun Wukong- Monkey King (who would be Tang Sanzang’s first disciple in the Journey to the West)
