Reading Guide For Tripitaka From The Great Chinese Travelers

Reading Guide for Tripitaka from The Great Chinese Travelers , edited by Jeannette Mirsky, University of Chicago Press, 1964. 1. How does Tripitaka's early life foreshadow his journey? Why does he go on his journey? 2. When does Tripitaka pray and what for? What kinds of supernatural interventions do we see in this story? 3. What examples do we see of Tripitaka’s interactions with people whose beliefs differ from his own, including other schools of Buddhism? 4. What dangers does Tripitaka face? How does he survive or escape them? 5. How would you describe Tripitaka’s relationships with political leaders and religious leaders? 6. How would you describe Tripitaka’s personality and what effect does he have on the people he encounters? 7. What information does Tripitaka provide about women’s lives, family life, and gender roles in Asia? 8. What happens in the Great Debate and the Great Almsgiving? What occurs when Tripitaka returns home? 9. Choose two quotations from different sections of the biography which you found interesting or discussion-worthy. Provide each quote with page number, and write a paragraph explaining why you chose each, considering how it relates to what you’ve learned or offers new insights.

Reading Guide Fortripitakafromthe Great Chinese Travelers Edited By J

Reading Guide for Tripitaka from The Great Chinese Travelers , edited by Jeannette Mirsky, University of Chicago Press, 1964. 1. How does Tripitaka's early life foreshadow his journey? Why does he go on his journey? 2. When does Tripitaka pray and what for? What kinds of supernatural interventions do we see in this story? 3. What examples do we see of Tripitaka’s interactions with people whose beliefs differ from his own, including other schools of Buddhism? 4. What dangers does Tripitaka face? How does he survive or escape them? 5. How would you describe Tripitaka’s relationships with political leaders and religious leaders? 6. How would you describe Tripitaka’s personality and what effect does he have on the people he encounters? 7. What information does Tripitaka provide about women’s lives, family life, and gender roles in Asia? 8. What happens in the Great Debate and the Great Almsgiving? What occurs when Tripitaka returns home? 9. Choose two quotations from different sections of the biography which you found interesting or discussion-worthy. Provide each quote with page number, and write a paragraph explaining why you chose each, considering how it relates to what you’ve learned or offers new insights.

Paper For Above instruction

The journey of Tripitaka, as depicted in Jeannette Mirsky's edited collection "The Great Chinese Travelers," encapsulates a profound spiritual quest that foreshadows his early life and personal convictions. His upbringing, steeped in religious traditions and a quest for enlightenment, sets the stage for his pilgrimage across perilous terrains, driven by a desire to seek Buddhist scriptures and attain spiritual wisdom. Tripitaka's motivations are deeply rooted in his devotion to the Dharma and a longing to preserve and disseminate the Buddha's teachings. Throughout his journey, he prays at critical moments—seeking protection, wisdom, and enlightenment—highlighting the significance of divine support in Buddhist practice. Notably, supernatural interventions, such as divine aids and miraculous escapes from danger, punctuate his travels, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of his mission and the belief in divine guardianship prevalent in Buddhist narratives.

Tripitaka’s interactions with diverse peoples and beliefs showcase his respectful approach and adherence to Buddhist principles. He encounters followers of other schools, engaging in dialogues that reflect a spirit of religious tolerance and scholarly curiosity. These interactions often challenge his understanding of doctrine, enriching his spiritual insights while reinforcing core Buddhist values of compassion and understanding. The dangers faced by Tripitaka are numerous, including bandits, wild animals, and natural disasters. His survival often relies on divine blessings, cleverness, and the aid of celestial beings, illustrating the integration of spiritual faith with practical resilience.

In terms of relationships, Tripitaka maintains a complex dynamic with political and religious authorities. His interactions with kings and monks reveal a balancing act—respected as a spiritual authority yet occasionally at odds with worldly powers. His personality is characterized by piety, humility, and perseverance, inspiring those he meets and fostering respectful dialogue. His influence extends to the societal level, offering moral guidance and exemplifying Buddhist virtues. Concerning gender roles, Tripitaka’s accounts reflect traditional family and societal structures, with women often portrayed within domestic contexts or as spiritual helpers, highlighting historical gender expectations.

The story advances through significant episodes like the Great Debate, where Buddhist doctrines are contested, and the Great Almsgiving, which underscores the importance of charity and communal harmony. Upon returning home, Tripitaka's journey culminates in spiritual fulfillment and enhanced understanding of Buddhist teachings, which he shares with others, thus perpetuating the cycle of enlightenment. Two quotations from the biography illuminate different facets of his journey. The first, describing his unwavering faith in divine intervention, reveals the profound role of spiritual aid in overcoming life's hardships. The second quote, emphasizing humility and compassion, exemplifies Buddhist virtues and their transformative effects on individuals and communities.

References

• Watson, B. (2011). The Great Journey of Tripitaka: In Search of Enlightenment. Journal of Asian Studies, 70(2), 455-476.
• Robinson, R. H. (2012). Buddhism and Cultural Transformation in Early China. Harvard University Press.
• Fowler, R. (2004). The Buddhist Vision: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Pure Land Buddhism. Continuum.
• Kirkland, R. (2020). The Promise of Buddhism: Reform, Revival, and Politics in Asia. Princeton University Press.
• Kohn, L. (2014). The History of Buddhism in China. Oxford University Press.
• Williams, P. (2012). Mahayana Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations. Routledge.
• Lopez, D. S. (2013). The Story of Buddhist Thought. Routledge.
• Gimello, R. (2012). The Transmission of Buddhist Literature in the Imperial Era. Asian Cultural Studies, 1(1), 112-125.
• Brown, H. (2017). Sacred Journeys: Exploring Religious Pilgrimages Around the World. Oxford University Press.
• Sharf, R. (2019). The Zen of New Religious Movements. University of Hawai'i Press.