Tang Sanzang

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Tang Sanzang was a respected Buddhist master in Chang’an before setting out to obtain the true scriptures from Spirit Mountain. He is the mortal reincarnation of Golden Cicada, who had been a disciple of Buddha; his earlier life also included an attempted Western Journey that ended when monsters devoured him 1360 1500 1532 1583. He states that his mission is to bring Buddhist teachings to the Great Tang and benefit its people 1482.

Early in the journey, Taibai Jinxing possesses Tang Sanzang’s body to kill three attacking monsters. The whisk attack carried out during that possession is Taibai Jinxing’s, not Tang Sanzang’s own technique 1367. Tang Sanzang later removes the seal on Five Finger Mountain to free Son Goku. After Tang Sanzang’s death, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva awakens him in the Underworld, and Goku returns him to his physical body 1395 1396 1427.

Appearance

Tang Sanzang is described as handsome and refined. Later cultivation gives him broad shoulders, a muscular but proportionate build, and skin with a jade-like sheen 1625 1691.

• After more than half a month of waterfall training, his skin becomes rougher, his muscles more pronounced, and his hair longer 1694.
• His combat transformations can give him golden armor and pale-gold eyes, or a larger, fiery-red form with red hair and armor 1701 1702.

Personality

Tang Sanzang begins the journey eager to reach Spirit Mountain, sometimes pressing ahead despite danger. He is compassionate toward prospective disciples and enemies alike: he accepts Zhu Bajie despite others’ fear of him, persuades Sand Monk to abandon killing, and later teaches Shi Yan a method of cultivating his character 1360 1474 1499 1588. His opposition to killing can also make him severe with his disciples; he dismisses Goku after believing Goku has taken two lives 1582.

He gradually becomes more willing to protect and rely on the group. At Quicksand River, he reflects on the risks his disciples take for him and kneels to Goku and Bajie; he later steps between Ye Chen and Sand Monk 1500 1496. As his strength returns, he grows more direct in combat while acknowledging that his defense still needs work 1614 1693.

Abilities and Skills

Buddhist Dharma and protection

• A faint Buddha Light stops Ye Chen’s demonic spear from reaching his face 1507.
• He uses the Demon Suppressing Sutra to subdue Ye Chen when a demon seed drives Ye Chen to attack him 1508.
• He can form a protective shield with his own Buddhist cultivation. In a test, it breaks under Ye Chen’s strike, but Tang Sanzang remains standing after being driven back 1694.

Buddhist martial arts

• Against the White Bone General, he fights with his fists, manifests lotus attacks, and uses Ten Thousand Hearts Return as One to create a seven-colored Sacred Lotus. The final clash leaves him unconscious despite his narrow victory 1583 1584 1585.
• He uses Vajra Arhat Fist and Fingers Turn into Flowers against Kinkaku and Ginkaku 1601.
• His later techniques include Tathagata Palm and Buddha’s Wrath Golden Flame; he spars with Goku using half his strength 1603 1698.

Combat transformations

• By circulating Buddhist Dharma, he forms golden armor and a spear. The Sarira protects his consciousness when an enemy’s weapon threatens to bewitch him 1701.
• He can shift into a larger, fiery-red armored form. Its flame-wreathed spear breaks an opponent’s dragon-scale armor, but he suffers severe injuries in the fight 1702.

Equipment and Items

• White Dragon Horse — his mount for much of the journey 1440 1540.
• Kasaya, prayer beads, and travel bundle — religious garments and belongings he carries or asks his disciples to retrieve 1459 1648.
• Protective shield treasure — a gift from Ye Chen that blocks a scorpion monster’s rapid attack; distinct from the shield Tang Sanzang later creates through cultivation 1691 1693 1694.
• Sarira — protects his consciousness during the Bottomless Cave fight 1701.

Relationships

• Ye Chen — journey companion whose relationship with Tang Sanzang is strained by the Golden Fillet incident, then improves as Tang Sanzang shows greater care for him. Ye Chen later trains his defense and helps protect him during a life-threatening illness 1438 1496 1693 1730.
• Son Goku — disciple who helps restore him to life and repeatedly rescues him. Tang Sanzang initially fears him, and their bond suffers a later rupture over killings, but Goku risks his own cultivation to stabilize Tang Sanzang’s injuries 1427 1484 1582 1729.
• Zhu Bajie / Wuneng — disciple accepted at Gao Laozhuang despite his monstrous appearance 1474.
• Sand Monk / Wujing — former Quicksand River adversary whom Tang Sanzang persuades to change course, accepts as a disciple, and personally gives a dharma name 1499 1501 1502.
• Xiao Jiu — woman connected to a past life who waits for him. Tang Sanzang struggles with his feelings but leaves to continue his mission 1532 1540.
• Shi Yan — the White Bone General, whom Tang Sanzang defeats narrowly before teaching him about cultivating a Buddha Heart 1585 1588.

Notable Quotes

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Moreover, many drops make an ocean.” 1360

“I am no longer who I was. I know my limits. If I truly can't handle it, then you can come up and help.” 1584