Sha Wujing, also known as Sha Heshang or Sha Seng, is a character from the Chinese classical novel "Journey To The West."
In his youth, Sha Wujing wandered the world and encountered a true sage, through whom he cultivated his skills and was personally appointed by the Jade Emperor as the General of the Curtain Lifting, serving in the Heavenly Court. However, during the Peach Banquet, he accidentally shattered a glass cup and was banished to the Flowing Sands River. There, he was subjected to having a flying sword pierce his chest and ribs over a hundred times every seven days, causing him immense suffering. Overcome by hunger and cold, he would emerge from the river every few days to prey on travelers. Once, he inadvertently clashed with Guanyin Bodhisattva, who then converted him to Buddhism. He took the surname Sha and the Buddhist name Wujing, waiting specifically for the scripture seeker. He was subdued by Tang Sanzang when the latter reached the Flowing Sands River during his pilgrimage for Buddhist scriptures. Throughout the journey, Sha Wujing was often tasked with guarding the luggage or was captured by demons, rarely contributing to the battles against monsters. However, he frequently mediated conflicts between Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, and Zhu Bajie, maintaining the harmony and stability of the pilgrimage team, making him an indispensable member. Though not as capable as his two senior brothers, he could self-deprecatingly claim to "add wind by farting," contributing his modest strength when necessary. After obtaining the true scriptures, he was granted the title of "Golden Body Arhat" by Buddha.
His face is neither green nor black but has an ominous hue; his body is neither tall nor short, with bare, sinewy feet. His eyes flicker like twin lamps under a stove; the corners of his mouth are forked like a butcher's fire pot. His fangs are as sharp as sword blades, and his red hair is wildly disheveled. His shout is as loud as thunder, and his running feet are as swift as rolling wind. (From Chapter 8 of "Journey To The West")
His red, flaming hair is tousled, and his round eyes shine like lamps. His face is neither black nor green but a deep indigo, and his voice is as powerful as thunder or a drum. He wears a goose-yellow cloak, tied at the waist with a double band of white vine. Around his neck hang nine skulls, and he wields a majestic treasure staff. (From Chapter 22 of "Journey To The West": Zhu Bajie's Battle at the Flowing Sands River, Moksha's Law to Subdue Wujing)
He is diligent, serious, unafraid of hardship, conservative yet gentle, lacking in individuality but indispensable.
Sha Heshang's personality is like a piece of jade that has been polished over time; it is very pure, so pure that it seems to lack personality. He is taciturn and appears somewhat dull, yet his words are always to the point, displaying a wisdom forged through countless trials.
Sha Seng is hardworking, bears hardships without complaint, is kind-hearted, values loyalty, is single-minded, steadfast, cautious in speech and action, and wise in self-preservation. His attitude of "not contending" and "being at ease" is something that the modern, impatient youth should learn from. Sha Seng is "harmonious but different." Among the four pilgrims, he is the most rational. He knows that "a single thread does not make a cord, nor a single hand a clap," so he adheres to the principle of "harmony is precious," yet he will stand up at critical moments to express his "difference." Sha Seng's "atonement" consciousness is a manifestation of servile thinking, which also represents the ancient populace's mindset.
The Demon-Subduing Staff is Sha Wujing's weapon in "Journey To The West," also known as the "Solo Treasure Staff." It is made from the Solo Immortal Wood from the Moon Palace, crafted and polished by Lu Ban. It is adorned with precious gems that shine brilliantly, and inside it is filled with golden light, weighing 5,048 pounds. Its full name is the True Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff, also known as the Demon-Subduing Staff or Subduing Demon Staff. It was bestowed upon Sha Seng by the Jade Emperor when he was appointed General of the Curtain Lifting, and he carried it with him, using it to subdue demons. After being banished to the Flowing Sands River, he continued to carry the staff, which proved its worth multiple times on Tang Sanzang's westward journey.
The Barefoot Immortal is a legendary figure in Chinese folklore and Taoist mythology, a wandering immortal of the heavenly realm. He is most distinctive for his barefoot attire and is known to descend to the mortal world to help humans vanquish demons. He is easygoing, usually smiling, and lenient towards well-intentioned demons but merciless to evil ones. His feet are his weapons, and he has subdued many demons, making him the nemesis of all monsters. It is said that the Barefoot Immortal carries treasures from beyond the six realms, making him immune to all poisons.
Tang Sanzang is a character from the classical novel "Journey To The West." His secular surname is Chen, his childhood name is Jiangliuer, his Buddhist name is Xuanzang, and he is also known as Tripitaka.
Sun Wukong (also known as the Monkey King, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun the Pilgrim, and the Victorious Fighting Buddha) is the main character in the Chinese classical mythological novel "Journey To The West." Born from a magical stone that emerged at the creation of the world, he was born on the Flower-Fruit Mountain in the Eastern Continent. He led a group of monkeys into the Water Curtain Cave and was revered as the "Monkey King." He traveled across oceans to learn skills from the Patriarch Subodhi, who named him "Sun Wukong" and taught him advanced magical arts such as the Great Sage Heaven Immortal Technique, the Seventy-Two Transformations, and the Cloud-Somersault.
Zhu Bajie, also known as Zhu Ganglie and Zhu Wuneng, is a character from the classical novel "Journey To The West."
The White Dragon Horse, also known as the Third Prince of the Dragon King, the Eight Legions Heavenly Dragon Horse, and the Bodhisattva of the Eight Legions Heavenly Dragon, is a character from the classical novel "Journey To The West," first appearing in Chapter 8, "The Buddha Creates Scriptures to Spread to the Ultimate Bliss, Guanyin Receives Orders to Go to Chang'an." He is the third son of the Dragon King of the West Sea. His prototype may be the white horse that was the mount of the monk Xuanzang.
Ma Ying, Associate Professor at the School of Marxism, Central China Normal University: He wholeheartedly adhered to his agreement with Guanyin to seek the scriptures for good. Throughout the pilgrimage, he never complained, silently carrying the luggage. When captured by demons, Wujing had the opportunity to kill the demon's wife but chose to risk his life to spare her because she had once helped him, demonstrating his kindness and gratitude.
