The story in "Journey to the West" is not about Sun Wukong, but our honest man Monk Sha. "Journey to the West" is not only a novel of gods and demons, but also a profound philosophical book. One of the most thought-provoking questions is: Did Guanyin Bodhisattva really break his promise?
In the talented work "Journey to the West", every character is not simple, and every transformation of them is full of deep meaning. Today we focus on Monk Sha - the honest man who always seems to be unknown in the team, but plays an important role.
Sha Monk, formerly known as Sha Wujing, was relegated to the world because of his mistake in the heavenly court, turned into a monster, and was later accepted by Guanyin Bodhisattva and became one of Tang Seng's apprentices. His identity changed from a roller shutter general of the heavenly court to a monk on the way to learn scriptures, which seems to be a kind of debasement, but in fact contains a deeper level of improvement.
When Guanyin Bodhisattva introduced Monk Sha into the scripture-learning team, he promised to "reinstate him as an official". This sentence made many people mistakenly think that Guanyin did not fulfill his promise, because in the end, Monk Sha did not return to Heaven, but became an eight-treasure golden-bodied Arhat. But is it really that simple?
We need to understand the deep meaning of the words "reinstatement of officials". In Buddhist culture, every word may be more than just literal. The transformation of Monk Sha, from a rolling shutter general to an eight-treasure golden-bodied arhat, is actually a kind of ascension from the mundane to the Holy Spirit. In Buddhism, it is an extremely high honor to become an arhat, which represents the great improvement and recognition of Monk Sha's spirit and ability.
If we read between the lines of "Journey to the West", we will find that the change of Monk Sha is actually a kind of sublimation "from beginning to end". From being degraded at the beginning, to being rescued later, and then to the final consummation, every step is of great significance. Through the experience of learning from the scriptures, Monk Sha not only redeemed his mistakes, but also gained a higher recognition and status than the original through his own efforts. Isn't this the best interpretation of "official reinstatement"?
As the embodiment of compassion in Buddhism, every arrangement of Guanyin Bodhisattva has far-reaching significance. She did not simply let Monk Sha return to Heaven to continue his position as the general of the Rolling Blinds, but gave him a higher position - the Eight Treasures Golden Body Arhat. This transformation is not only a kind of washing of his past, but also an affirmation of his future potential.
The story of Monk Sha teaches us that sometimes, what seems to be "lost" on the surface can be another form of "sublimation". His transformation from a celestial general who was demoted for his mistakes to an arhat who was respected by all beings was full of trials and baptisms, but in the end he proved his worth and achievements. This kind of transformation is much more far-reaching than simply "reinstating officials."
Let's take a look at Guanyin's strategy. She has always been a strategizing figure in "Journey to the West", and every step is arranged just right. The arrangement of Monk Sha was also well thought out. From a broader religious and philosophical perspective, Guanyin's promise was not violated, but fulfilled at a higher level.
During this whole process, Monk Sha never expressed dissatisfaction with Guanyin's arrangement, which reflected his acceptance and satisfaction with this transformation. Monk Sha's inner world and spiritual growth are a lesser-depicted but extremely important part of "Journey to the West". His serenity and perseverance were the keys to his successful transformation into the Eight Treasures Golden Body Arhat.
From a more human point of view, this shift of Monk Sha also reflects a universal truth: every "demotion" or "frustration" in life may be a necessary path to higher achievement. By arranging for Monk Sha to become an Arhat with the Golden Body of the Eight Jewels, Guanyin Bodhisattva was actually helping him achieve his transformation from a mortal to a saint, and this spiritual ascension was far more precious than the material return.
Through the story of Monk Sha, we can also see Wu Chengen, the author of "Journey to the West", who has a deep insight into human nature and fate. Through these colorful characters and twisty storylines, he presents a grand narrative of repentance, redemption, and sublimation. The story of Monk Sha is not only a story about a degraded general, but also a philosophical reflection on how to find self-worth and meaning in life through suffering and challenges.
Guanyin did not break her word, but fulfilled her promise in a way that was more profound and in line with Buddhist teachings. The story of Monk Sha is not only a simple change of official position, but also a sublimation of the soul and spiritual growth. Monk Sha's achievements remind us to have a broader vision and deeper understanding when facing all kinds of changes in life.