Journey to the West (Voice Over Painting)

Before the pilgrims take their first step, a monkey is born from stone. *Journey to the West* (西遊記), one of China’s most beloved classical novels, begins with the origins of the world and the rise of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. It follows the monk Tripitaka and his four companions on a fourteen-year pilgrimage to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Across thousands of miles and eighty-one trials, they contend with monsters, temptations, and their own shortcomings. The road to the scriptures becomes a journey toward enlightenment. At once comic, adventurous, and spiritually searching, the novel offers a panoramic view of Chinese civilization through its folklore, religious traditions, and everyday life. Each chapter of the podcast is accompanied by two paintings by Chen Huiguan, offering a visual companion to the pilgrims’ journey.