Historical
Chinese dynasty from 618 to 907
What is the Tang Dynasty?
high level of spiritual knowledge
What is Enlightenment?
A person who has achieved "Enlightenment" (= spiritual knowledge)
Who is Buddha?
a mythical monster with wings and a tail
What is a dragon?
the capital city of the Tang empire
What is Chang'an?
Sacred writings that would teach the people how to reach Enlightenment
What are Buddhist Sutras (Scriptures)?
A man who devotes his life to a religious group, living their life in prayer
What is a monk?
A powerful being who had special powers. By using his powers, the Monkey King was responsible for protecting Xuanzang from all of the monsters and demons.
Who is Sun Wukong, the Monkey King?
A group of states or land controlled by one ruler
What is an empire?
a person who is able to reach nirvana (= a state of peace and happiness) and is on a path to becoming a Buddha
What is a Bodhisattva?
the Bodhisattva of Mercy who is considered to be the physical embodiment of compassion
Who is Guanyin?
A famous Chinese Buddhist monk and scholar who traveled to India to study Buddhist scriptures. He translated these scriptures into Chinese. He is known as the "Great Monk of the Tang Dynasty."
Who is Xuanzang?
Some buddhas and bodhisattvas are described as celestial beings. This means that they are not seen as humans, but as beings that exist in other realms (like heaven or the sky).
What is a celestial being?
A Half-pig half-man who is one of the 3 companions of Tang Sanzang along with Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing in "Journey to the West."
Who is Pigsy?
a serious and loyal disciple who accompanied Sun Wukong and the others in "Journey to the West"
Who is Friar Sand?
He is known as the founder of Buddhism (original Buddha). He reached the state of Nirvana and ascended to the highest heaven.
Who is Siddhartha Gautama?
The child of one of the four dragons of the ocean who served the heavens who accidentally swallowed Xuanzang’s horse whole not knowing who they were. Turned into a white horse, which served Xuanzang.
Who is the White Dragon?