The Journey of Purification: The Mythic Signification of the “River” in Xiyouji or The Journey to the West and the Purgatorio of Divine Comedy

• Main Authors: Jiang Kunhong, 蔣昆宏
• Other Authors: Chi Ch’iu-lang
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/85487662847248170723

碩士 === 東吳大學 === 英文學系 === 94 === Purgatorio and The Journey to the West present the image of sailing over the symbolic river by crossing over “ignorance”無明 to attain enlightenment. This image is prevalent in these two masterpieces as the mythic journey of life. Additionally, these two characters, Dante and Tripitaka, represent everyman in their journeys. Dante sails over the watery realm, Purgatory, on his “little bark” which symbolizes his genius. Dante perceives God’s instructions by realizing torments of souls in Purgatory. With regard to Tripitaka, those demons during his journey are analogous with the self-imposed manacles which hinder him from realizing true self. Their journeys coincide with the descriptions in the Heart Sutra. The scripture says: “He perceived that all five skandhas are empty. Thus, he overcame all ills and suffering” 照見五蘊皆空，度一切苦厄 (trans. Master Lok 6-15). Through their journeys of purification, we may have a deeper understanding of “Karma” and “Original Sin,” which represent different perspectives of Buddhism and Christianity to suffering. Souls in Purgatory are exemplary for Dante to perceive the nature of love deeply. He also realizes that happiness in the physical world is transient when it is compared with eternity in heaven. With regard to Tripitaka, demons during his journey are caused by his ignorance which veils his Buddhahood. Hence when he rejects these demons, he also shatters the self-imposed manacles, ignorance, on his mind. We may see Tripitaka’s and Dante’s journeys as the process of returning and restoration. By comparing these two journeys, we may renew our customary ways of viewing suffering, and further, affirm the value of the mythic journey towards real life.