The Monkey King's monk

Aik TC SG

The Monkey King's monk

2015-12-17 Xu Fan(China Daily)

Filmmakers have wrapped up a biopic of the real-life pilgrim whose adventures inspired the legend of Journey to the West.

The venerable Buddhist monk Xuan Zang undertook a perilous journey to India around 1,300 years ago. Now, an upcoming film based on the legendary expedition is set to re-create history on big screen.

As one of the most talked-about coproductions between China and India this year, the biographical drama Xuan Zang has recently finished post-production. The film is set for release early next year.

For most Chinese, the name of Xuan Zang is a part of childhood memory thanks to Journey to the West, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel that has inspired scores of cartoon books, animated series and TV dramas.

But interestingly, the novel depicts Xuan Zang as a weak, nagging coward, who heavily relies on the four powerful apprentices－including the superhero Monkey King－to finish the harsh pilgrimage.

On Tuesday, the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province－hometown of title-role actor Huang Xiaoming－held an event to release the trailers and a poster.

Xuan Zang, a Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) monk who was confused by the mistranslated, self-contradicting Buddhist texts, made an adventurous journey to India, seeking Buddhist scriptures.

"The strong faith that compels him to seek the real answers of Buddhism supported Xuan Zang to finish his dangerous journey," says director Huo Jianqi.

When Xuan Zang returned to China 19 years later, he brought back more than 650 volumes of sacred books.

His travel journal, Buddhist Records of the Western World, has become a significant guide to help India to excavate some religious relics that have not been recorded in historical texts there.

"I was pretty surprised to find that modern Indians are familiar with the name of Xuan Zang. In the local textbooks for primary and middle school students, Xuan Zang and his stories are featured," recalls Huo when speaking of his film research.

To trace Xuan Zang's route, which mostly covered Central and South Asia, the crew spent six months shooting in the remote deserts in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and India.

Even with modern transportation, Huo and the crew found the filming process "torturous and challenging".

"The desert is very hot and dry. Most of the crew and cast suffered dehydration," says Huo.

The summer temperature on average is around 40 C in the morning and at dusk, but rises to 60 C at noon.

Huang says the shoot was the toughest in his 15-year career, and the good-looking heartthrob had to shave his head for the monk role.

"As the shoot was close to my wedding day, I felt sorry for my wife that I had to wear a wig at the wedding ceremony," the actor says.

Huang, who's a Buddhist, canceled another contract to accept the role because of his strong interest in the legendary master.

While struggling in a shooting environment frequently blasted by sand storms, Huang studied Sanskrit to recite some sacred scriptures.

Director Huo says: "Buddhism is something that gives the ordinary people peace and tranquility. It's gentle and soft."

A couple of hundred Indian extras and several top local actors were recruited for the big-budget movie, which was mostly financed by the industry giant, China Film Group.

"Most Chinese viewers of my generation have a stereotyped impression of Indian actors, as they showcase somewhat exaggerated performances in Bollywood musical features," Huo says.

"But I found that's totally wrong. They can be terrific performers who convey convincing emotion and gestures."

China and India signed an agreement on coproducing films last September. Xuan Zang was listed as one of the three highlighted projects earlier this year, according to the country's top film regulator.

The other two are Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan, and a comedy Danao Tianzhu (An Adventure to India), led by Wang Baoqiang.

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~ SG

Well, we know that lord buddha was once an indian prince, but can I ask if Buddhism started in India (where hinduism also started)

Aik TC SG

Most historians agree that Buddhism originated in northern India in the 5th century B.C.E. The tradition traces its origin to Siddhartha Gautama (or Gotama), who is typically referred to as the Buddha (literally the "Awakened" or "Enlightened One"). Siddhartha observed the suffering in the world and set out to find an antidote. Through meditation and analysis, he attained an enlightened state of being that marked the end of attachments (and therefore suffering), and ultimately, upon his death, release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara). The Buddha's teachings are often summarized in the Four Noble Truths, which form the basis of the first sermon he delivered after attaining enlightenment, and the Eightfold Path, which provides a basic guide for how to live in the world. Over the course of its 2500-year history, Buddhism has experienced many schisms and modifications; there are currently three major branches of the tradition — the Theravada ("Doctrine of the Elders"), the Mahayana ("Great Vehicle), and the Vajrayana ("Diamond Vehicle," often simply called "Tibetan Buddhism"), although there are many sects and groups within each of these branches. The Buddhist canon consists of a vast corpus of texts that cover philosophical, devotional, and monastic matters, and each of the major divisions of Buddhism has its own distinct version of what it considers to be canonical scriptures. Buddhism has spread from its roots in India to virtually every corner of the world, and in each place it has spread it has adopted and adapted local practices and beliefs. Although Buddhism is a distinct religious tradition, many people in the contemporary West have adopted philosophical and practical aspects of Buddhism and incorporated them into their religious and social practices; thus there are people who identify themselves "Buddhist Christians," "Buddhist Jews," and "Buddhist Atheists."

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