Journey to the West, Volume One

Journey to the West, Volume One

Wu Cheng’en

The poem says:

Before chaos was divided, heaven and earth were in confusion, Vast and indistinct, unseen by any man.

Since Pangu broke open primordial obscurity, Creation began, and clear and turbid were distinguished.

All living beings under heaven and earth look up to supreme benevolence; All things, brought forth and made manifest, come to goodness.

If you would know the cycles and mysteries of creation, You must read The Journey to the West: A Record of Deliverance from Calamity.

It is said that the number of heaven and earth is one hundred and twenty-nine thousand six hundred years, which constitutes one great cycle. A great cycle is divided into twelve periods, corresponding to the twelve Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai. Each period comprises ten thousand eight hundred years.

Consider, for example, a single day. At the hour of Zi, yang energy begins to arise; at Chou, the cock crows. At Yin, light has not yet spread; at Mao, the sun rises. At Chen, people have eaten; at Si, they begin their daily tasks. At Wu, the sun stands at the center of heaven; at Wei, it declines westward. At Shen comes the afternoon meal, and at You the sun sets. At Xu comes dusk; at Hai, people settle to rest.

So it is with the greater numbers. When the Xu period reaches its end, heaven and earth grow dim, and all things cease to flourish. Another five thousand four hundred years bring the beginning of the Hai period, when all becomes dark and neither man nor creature exists between heaven and earth. This is called chaos. After another five thousand four hundred years, as the Hai period approaches its end, the cycle renews itself from its lowest point, nearing the Zi period, and light gradually returns.

Shao Kangjie said:

“At the midpoint of Zi on the winter solstice, The heart of Heaven remains unchanged. When the first yang begins to stir, No living thing has yet been born.”

At this point Heaven first takes root.

After another five thousand four hundred years, at the middle of the Zi period, the light and pure rise upward, and there come to be sun, moon, stars, and constellations. Sun, moon, stars, and constellations are called the Four Symbols. Thus it is said: Heaven opened at Zi.

Another five thousand four hundred years pass. As the Zi period draws to its end and the Chou period approaches, matter gradually becomes solid. The Book of Changes says: “Great indeed is the Creative Origin! Supreme indeed is the Receptive Origin! All things receive life from them, and Earth obediently follows Heaven.” At this point Earth begins to congeal.

After another five thousand four hundred years, at the center of the Chou period, the heavy and turbid descend and gather, producing water, fire, mountains, stones, and earth. Water, fire, mountains, stones, and earth are called the Five Forms. Thus it is said: Earth was established at Chou.

Another five thousand four hundred years pass, bringing the end of Chou and the beginning of Yin, when all living things begin to arise. The calendar says: “The breath of Heaven descends; the breath of Earth ascends. Heaven and Earth unite, and all creatures are born.” At this point Heaven is clear, Earth refreshed, and yin and yang join together.

After another five thousand four hundred years, at the center of the Yin period, human beings, beasts, and birds are born. Thus Heaven, Earth, and Man—the Three Powers—take their appointed places. Hence it is said: Man was born at Yin.

After Pangu opened creation, the Three Sovereigns ruled the world and the Five Emperors established human relationships. The world was then divided into four great continents: the Eastern Continent of Superior Body, the Western Continent of Cattle-Gift, the Southern Continent of Jambu, and the Northern Continent of Kuru.

BLESSED LAND OF THE MOUNTAIN OF FLOWERS AND FRUIT