영웅신화 원형으로 본 『西遊記』의 삼장법사: 영웅의 제자리 찾기

Abstract

Journey to the West(西遊記) is a piece of work that was created from mythologies and legends of China, Tripitaka(三藏法師) who was a real person in Tang Dynasty, and Great Tang Records on the Western Regions(大唐西域記) which was written by Tripitaka through hands of several authors, but the historical fact that Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang set off to the India to get the Buddhist Scriptures was only motive in Journey to the West. It was changed to a brand new gods and demons fiction(神魔小說) that is totally different from historical fact by adding mythological imagination. Even gods from heaven, ocean and underworld appear in the story, as well as it accepts wide range of mythological motive in many parts of story by containing narrative structure that main characters Tripitaka, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing fight against monster in a space where the world of the immortals and the secular world are combined, then they are raised to the rank of gods at the end part. This paper is started from a question that ‘who will be the real main character of Journey to the West?’. Until now, the image of Tang Sanzang(Tripitaka) usually have accepted as negative. Sun Wukong is the main character who saves people from monsters, and Tripitaka has been criticized as a weak and incompetent leader often. However, Tripitaka in Journey to the West is showing the archetype of heroic mythology which was suggested by American religion mythologist Campbell. Although it is hard to find heroic behaviour or aspects from Tripitaka compare with Sun Wukong, but he is a character with outstanding ability, personality and background. Also, he overcomes 81 sufferings during the journey to get the Buddhist Scripture(取經) with helper(Sun Wukong). As a result, he becomes a Buddha by realizing the nature of Buddhism(佛性). Therefore, this paper considered whether the experience of Tripitaka from the journey can be treated as expansion of ‘departure-initiation- return’. As a result, birth, suffering and attaining Buddhahood of Tripitaka in Journey to the West is same as the schema of heroic adventure that was defined by Campbell. Tripitaka is born with ‘calling’ that saves people by delivering the Buddhist Scripture from Sakyamuni. He experiences ‘tribulation’ during growing process and set off to a ‘mysterious journey’ towards forgotten world or inner world of him to complete the mission. With help of Sun Wukong who is ‘helper with supernatural power’, he successfully brings ‘Elixir-the Buddhist Scripture’ which can save people to ‘save’ the world where he belongs to. On the other hand, he overcomes tribulation to realize the nature of Buddhism(佛性)’. By that, he became a Buddha and ‘return’ to original position where he was. Journey to the West is a story that draws attaining Buddhahood process of Tripitaka after overcoming suffering with support of helpers such as Sun Wukong during tribulation rather than content of defeating monsters and devils by Sun Wukong. Although he shows weak image during process of overcoming suffering, this is the process of defeating inside enemy of him. Tripitaka is a hero of macro-cosmetic victory who fulfils the unity with universe by realizing his nature. He should be the real hero of Journey to the West and a hero with thousand faces.