• Journey to the West: The Podcast

  • Written by: Richard Tseng
  • Podcast
Journey to the West: The Podcast cover art

Journey to the West: The Podcast

Written by: Richard Tseng
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  • Summary

  • Join us each week as we take listeners through one of China's most beloved novels. Meet Sun Wukong the Monkey King, his Buddhist master, Xuanzhang, the lustful monster Pigsy aka Zhu Bajie, and the reformed sand demon, Sha Wujing, and journey with them to India to acquire invaluable Buddhist scriptures. This immortal tale has delighted billions of Asian children yet is relatively unknown here in the west. This podcast aims to change that! Childhood friends Richard Tseng and James Young will read and review every single chapter of the Anthony C Yu translation of Wu Chen'en's epic book. Along the way, we'll bust myths (did the Sun Wukong really burst out of stone?) examine its impact (Which world-famous animes did this legend inspire?) and learn more about Asian culture and its myths overall (which Indian monkey god inspired our monkey king?) So quit monkeying around Subscribe, and let's hit the silk road!
    Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved.
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Episodes
  • Chapter 6: Monkey King Meets the John Wick of the Great Beyond

    Chapter 6: Monkey King Meets the John Wick of the Great Beyond
    Sep 20 2019
    After getting caught red-handed for stealing the Queen Mother's peaches, harassment and drinking on the job (but mainly for stealing those peaches), heaven’s forces give the Monkey King a choice: surrender, or war? Naturally, newly-fired peach guardian the Monkey King chooses open rebellion instead of accepting punishment. Is there nobody in the universe strong enough to bring ol’ Monkey to justice?   While the Jade Emperor sends for a monster-subduing specialist, heaven’s ‘John Wick’, the god Erlang, the Boddhisattva of Mercy, Guanyin got her own staff-swinging disciple, Moksa! Can he succeed where his brother, Nata, failed?   This week, Richard and James meet The Little Sage and witness more transformations than a Michael Bay blockbuster—don’t miss it!
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    45 mins
  • Episode 7: Buddha's Wager

    Episode 7: Buddha's Wager
    Sep 27 2019
    With his forces finally defeated and the rebellious Sun Wukong himself brought to heel, one question remains: How do you punish an immortal when he’s made himself impossible to kill?   Everyone from the executioner to the fire department will try to end this monkey’s life. Even history’s most famous Taoist, Lao Tzu tries out his Brazier for an old-fashioned Monkey King smoke out!   But if public executions aren’t your thing—have no fear! This week’s episode promises more action, more simian hijinks, and a bitch slap felt 'round the universe because the embodiment of Nirvana himself is in the house. That’s right, Buddha’s here now, and he’s sure to entertain us!
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 8: Guanyin's Quest

    Episode 8: Guanyin's Quest
    Oct 4 2019
    What’s Buddha going to do now that the monkey madness is over? Finish his magnum opus on how to get enlightened, that’s what. And how does an ancient ascended all-knowing awakened one launch a book series before social media and Amazon? By getting Guanyin (see episode 6) to find a worthy monk from the East capable of making the perilous journey to India to get them, that’s how.   Now the trip to China’s capital, Chang’an, is no walk in the park even for immortals. So a human monk carrying priceless scriptures is going to need protection. Watch Guanyin’s masterful recruiting skills at work as she uses her mercy and compassion (and inspirational words of wisdom) to convert every monster she meets along the way. Plus, her disciple Moksa’s got a big stick. So when the carrots fail, thrilling combat is bound to ensue!   Join Richard and James as we catch up with old Monkey under the mountain and help Guanyin pave the way for some new disciples to Buddha’s cause.
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    1 hr
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