Hey guys I was wondering if any of you have seen this video?

 

https://youtu.be/y90ONojCc6Q

 

It's a beautiful short film by I believe the makers of Gorillaz, based on the Chinese classic "Journey to the West" otherwise known as Monkey in other countries. I just think the visuals and music is just so stunning and beautiful, I think it's something everyone should check out especially if you're into Chinese culture.

Omg I had to study this story when I was in elementary chinese school.

 

Did you understand the story?

Omg I had to study this story when I was in elementary chinese school.

 

Did you understand the story?

I read up a little bit on Journey to the West. I know the basics of the story, where a Buddha diety locks Sun Wukong away due to his foolishnesh, and he is chosen to be an apprentice to a monk along with two animal creatures, a pig and a river monster. They journey with the monk on a pilgrimage to get these special Buddist scriptures from the west. There's also the Buddist diety of peace that gives Wukong a special ring around his head to keep his behavior in check.

 

In the YouTube video, Wukong wants to borrow the Princess' fan to help protect the monk on the journey for the holy scriptures. The Goddess comes and gives Wukong a pill to protect him from the fan. The princess wants him to go away and proceeds to fight him.

Edited January 23, 20178 yr by Aqua7KH

I read up a little bit on Journey to the West. I know the basics of the story, where a Buddha diety locks Sun Wukong away due to his foolishnesh, and he is chosen to be an apprentice to a monk along with two animal creatures, a pig and a river monster. They journey with the monk on a pilgrimage to get these special Buddist scriptures from the west. There's also the Buddist diety of peace that gives Wukong a special ring around his head to keep his behavior in check.

 

In the YouTube video, Wukong wants to borrow the Princess' fan to help protect the monk on the journey for the holy scriptures. The Goddess comes and gives Wukong a pill to protect him from the fan. The princess wants him to go away and proceeds to fight him.

 

Yes yes yes yes!

You got it right!

 

 

 

The version my father used to tell me when I was a child was that the monkey king (Sun Wukong) actually was quite the mischevous character. I think at some point before the journey to the west he created so much havoc in heaven that eventually the deities thought of a way to stop him. It was the Buddha Deity who tricks him into a trap and he gets sealed under the the great mountain (some versions say he was first sealed within a Pagoda from which he escapes and then later placed under a mountain) as punishment for many many years (don't remember if it was hundreds or thousands....anyway). Later he would be released and have a crown placed upon him (one he can't remove) which ensures he behaves. He subsequently is placed on a mission to set off with the monk, the shark man and the pigman in their epic story ^^

 

From what I remember, the Monkey king is said to be almighty and indestructable, he took on the warriors of heaven and defeated them quite easily. Had it not been for that crown that was placed upon him afterwards, he would have been quite a menace.

 

There is a book called 'Monkey', the book was originally written in chinese but an official english translation is available by the author 'Arthur Waley'. It basically details the story of Sun WuKong from his creation/birth through his journey to the West and his enshrinement as one of the worshipped deities.

 

But to me they are simply fairy tales ^^

 

Here is a chinese cartoon that details Sun's story after he was born and before he made a mess in heaven (i.e. prequel to the Journey to the West)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu0XosgxCyU

 

 

Edited January 24, 20178 yr by catmaster0116