Proper dating A Supplement to the Journey to the West

sudhana learning 1 of fifty-two teachers along journey toward enlightenment. sanskrit manuscript, 11-12th century.

there debate between scholars on when book published. 1 school of thought favors political interpretation lends later publication after founding of qing dynasty (1644–1911). second favors religious interpretation lends earlier publication during late ming dynasty (1368–1644).

proponents of political interpretation take qing (情, desire) of qing fish allusion qing (清, pure) of qing dynasty (清朝). english translators of book, appear neutral in debate, point out 3 things may support view: first, reason dong included qin hui in story may have been because prime minister historically betrayed song jurchen-ruled jin dynasty. centuries later, manchu chieftain nurhachi, ancestor of jurchens, founded later jin dynasty in 1616. dynasty later renamed qing dynasty in 1636. if book published prior fall of ming dynasty in 1644, qing fish may indeed been meant analogy qing. second, monkey offended odor created tartars “right next door.” since manchus resided “next door” northern china, idea of invasion may have been on dong’s mind while writing book. third, dong may have been ridiculing ming’s inaction towards imminent manchu invasion when new ancient tells monkey body take on stink of barbarians if stays long. proponents favor political interpretation include scholars xu fuming , liu dajie.

proponents of religious interpretation prefer take qing fish is, embodiment of desire. author dong yue known have been alienated buddhism’s denigration of desire, , tang priest’s position general of “qing-killing” satire aimed @ religion. madeline chu believes constant repetition of color green (青, qing)—green cities, green towers, green robes, etc.—is analogy human emotions. points out chinese characters used spell little moon king (小月王) visually similar 3 comprise desire (情). english translators note physical tower of myriad mirrors recalls tale buddhist avatamsaka sutra in bodhisattva maitreya creates self-contained universe inside of tower in order bring enlightenment of guanyin s disciple sudhana. therefore, monkey sudhana because events experiences inside of tower leads enlightenment.

there other reasons accept ming publication. scholar lu xun muses, “actually book contains more digs @ ming fashions laments on fate of country, , suspect written before end of [ming] dynasty. importantly, there woodblock edition of novel printed during 1628-1644 reign of chongzhen emperor. preface dated year xinsi, madeline chu believes year 1641. additionally, note appearing in poem “random thoughts” (1650) comments author dong yue “supplemented xiyouji ten years ago,” dates writing of novel 1640.