Session 24: Xuanzang Is Reunited with His Parents and Grandparents
- liz zhang
- May 5
- 2 min read
In this session, we witness a deeply emotional and triumphant moment: Xuanzang finally avenges the wrongs done to his family and is joyfully reunited with his parents and grandparents. We also explore a fascinating and seemingly simple episode—a poetic exchange between a fisherman and a woodcutter—that unexpectedly sets in motion significant events in the gods’ realms, particularly affecting the Dragon King.
Session Focus:
We will reflect on key episodes from Xuanzang’s early life and consider the deeper symbolic meanings behind them. We’ll also delve into the poetic practice of verse recitation and matching couplets shared by the fisherman and woodcutter—what i t reveals about their state of mind, and the surprising consequences of their casual conversation.
Key Questions for contemplation:
Q1: Let’s continue to practice round-robin storytelling, about Xuanzang’s early life!
Q2: Which parts of Xuanzang’s early life story moved or inspired you the most, and why?
The fisherman Zhang Shao said, "it seems to me that people who struggle for fame kill themselves for it; those who compete for profit die for it; those who accept honors sleep with a tiger in their arms; and those who receive imperial favours walk around with snakes in their sleeves. Taking all in all, we are much better off living free among our clear waters and blue hills: we delight in our poverty and follow our destinies."
Q3: Who were the fisherman and the woodcutter?
What state of mind or philosophy of life do you see reflected in their words?
Q4: What was the purpose of the poetic exchange—the reciting of verses and matching of couplets—between the fisherman and the woodcutter?
Q5: Before they parted ways, the fisherman and woodcutter had one final exchange.
What was said, and what surprising consequence did this casual moment have—particularly regarding the Dragon King?
Confucius once said, “While your parents are alive, do not travel far. If you must travel, you must have a clear purpose.” For thousands of years, this simple teaching has been a gentle reminder of filial piety in Chinese culture — when parents are alive and well, children should stay close; if circumstances demand a journey, parents should at least be informed, so their hearts may rest at ease.
However, from the very moment of his birth, Xuanzang never had the chance to meet his parents. His father was murdered, his body was cast into the river. His mother endured great humiliation, yet risked everything to preserve the life of her newborn son, placing him in a wooden basket and…