What is the true identity of the Monkey King's master Bodhi?

In Journey to the West, Bodhi, the master who taught the Monkey King skills, was mentioned. His name is Bodhi. He wore a Taoist robe (and opened a Dojo) and looked like a Buddha but not a Buddha. There is not much description of his identity and skills on TV. After watching Journey to the West carefully, I can't help but have a question in my heart. Teacher of the Great Sage: Who is the founder of Bodhi? In just seven years, such a great sage has been taught. How big is the magical power of the Bodhi founder himself? Why didn't he let the Great Sage mention his name? Is he better than Lai? 1. The Journey to the West is closely related to the Romance of Gods. You must be familiar with The Journey to the West and The Romance of Gods in the Ming Dynasty. Derived from the two works, "the Monkey King makes a scene in Heaven" and "What is a scene in Heaven?" are well known. Although the two films tell stories of different dynasties, they are inextricably linked. For example, Li Jing, Nezha, Bai Mu and Yang Jian are all reflected in these two books. Manjusri Guangfa Tianzun, Pu Xian Zhenren, Chihangxia and Diandengxia in the Romance of the Gods have been rehabilitated and entered Buddhism after several years. Later, it became Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva and ancient Buddha. These characters also appear in The Journey to the West. It can be seen that the two works are closely related. 2. Introduction to Journey to the West and the powerful figures in the Romance of the Gods 1. A. The second giant Tathagata in The Journey to the West is the respected Sakyamuni in the western paradise, and there is no Amitabha in the south. On the vulture summit of Tianzhu Lingshan in Hezhou, he reached the golden body of 60 feet. This man is magical and powerful. As soon as he appeared, he solved the catastrophe in the sky. Later, he used his skills many times to help Wukong break through many difficulties. It can be called the Big Mac in Journey to the West. B. Bodhi's father Bodhi's father is an overseas fairy. He lived in seclusion in the deep mountains, without revealing himself. Although the magic is boundless, it is unknown. It took only three years for this great fairy to let the Monkey King learn the art of immortality, seventy-two changes and somersault clouds. This laid a good foundation for Wukong to make trouble in heaven in the future and eventually become a Buddha. It can be seen that Bodhi is by no means an idle generation. 2. The five leaders of the Romance of the Gods A. Laozi is the old gentleman. He is a big disciple of Hong Jun's bodhi old zu and is in charge of education. He went down the mountain three times to help explain the power of teaching and quit teaching immortals. Also once a gasification three clean-ups, defeated Tian Tong hierarch. In The Journey to the West, he lived in the heaven he hated. He was the mixed ancestor of the Taiqing Holy Land and one of the leaders of Sanqing Sect-Taishang Daozu, also known as Taishang Laojun. B. Yuan Shi Tian Zun Yuan Shi Tian Zun is the second disciple of Hong Jun, who is in charge of teaching. He has many disciples, many of whom are famous. Manjusri, Pu Xian and Guanyin in Buddhism, and Sun Buddha in seven buddha in the Past are all his disciples. Emperor Wen of Sui, Nezha, Li Jing and others are all his disciples. Later, he became the director of Sanqing School-the congenital ancestor of Jade Qing Holy Land in Journey to the West. The leader of Tian Tong, Tian Tong, is the third disciple of Hong Jun's ancestors and is responsible for intercepting. He has the most disciples, but most of them just fill in the blanks. But he also made a lot of contributions to heaven. Like the Jade Emperor's Twenty-four Stars, Lei Gong Dian Mu and Putian Astrology, almost all of them are his masters. After listening to the slanderous remarks of his disciples, the leader of Tian Tong put down two arrays of "all immortals" and "all immortals" to block Jiang Ziya's way. Later, with the joint efforts of four religious leaders, this array was broken. He is another leader of Sanqing School-Lingbao Tianzun, the ancestor of Tian Tong, the holy land of Shangqing. D. the guide is the leader of western religions and lives in the western paradise. This man is six feet tall and has a yellow face. I haven't left a quiet place for many years. Later, at the invitation of others, the three relics won the immortal gate and broke the evil array with Laozi and Yuanshi. E. the quasi-Taoist priest is the second leader of western religions. I have been to Dongtu many times. He is more open-minded than Jieyin and has helped to explain and solve the crisis many times. It can be said that the two roads are connected. The blessing pestle and the wonderful seven-treasure tree in your hand are really amazing. The leader of Tian Tong was defeated by Zhunti twice. 3. There are clues in The Journey to the West. Bodhi, the master of the Monkey King in Journey to the West, is a fairy on earth. Because the Monkey King studied Taoism in Sanxingdong for seven years and martial arts for three years, he opened the Soul Night Hall, so many people are very interested in his master Bodhi. So who is this person? There is no clue left in Journey to the West? The answer is no, let's take a look at the residence of Bodhi. Bodhi, the founder of Bodhi, lives in seclusion in Hezhou Niu, "Lingtai Square-inch Mountain, carrying the moon and Samsung Cave". The word "Lingtai Square Inch Mountain" begins with the word "Lingshan", and "Sunset Samsung" is a thing in the sky, which means "the sky". Put it together: Lingshan in the sky. We know that the Tathagata lives in the Yin Temple of Tianzhu Lingshan in Niuhezhou. Is it really a coincidence that the names of these two mountains are so similar? Is there any connection between Bodhi founder and Tathagata? When the Monkey King first met Bodhi, Wu Cheng'en described it this way: "I saw Bodhi sitting on the stage with thirty fairies standing on both sides. Sure enough: I feel that Jin Xian is not dirty, and the West is the wonderful ancestor of Bodhi; I can't live three or three lines, full of enthusiasm and good intentions. " I saw the journey to the west for the first time. It can be seen that the founder of Bodhi is also a respected person in the West. Bodhi is a symbol of western Buddhism. Does this mean that the founder of Bodhi is Buddha rather than Tao? If he is a Buddha, why does he know everything about Taoism? If he is Tao, why is there such a saying as "Bodhi, the father of the West"? 4. Seeking the answer in The Romance of the Gods on a Journey to the West cannot solve the mystery of Bodhi's founder identity. But we know that the characters in The Journey to the West are closely related to those in The Romance of Gods. I said it before. The bodhi ancestor in Journey to the West gives people the feeling that Buddhism and Taoism are one. In the Romance of the Gods, there happens to be a Taoism that looks like a Buddha but is not a Buddha-Western religion. Western religions have two leaders, and they are powerful. He helped the Taishang Laojun and the Yuanshi Tianzun to decipher the "Zhu Xian Array" and "Wan Xian Array" laid by Tian Tong. It can be called the two top masters of the Romance of the Gods. One of them is called guidance, and the other is called quasi-guidance. 1. Taoism VS Tathagata lives in the western paradise, six feet tall and yellow-faced. It reminds people of the Tathagata Buddha who was cultivated into a golden body in The Journey to the West. They look so alike that they are in charge of the western paradise. Are they alone? Then let's take a look at the two authors' descriptions of the two roles. A the following passage is taken from the seventy-eighth chapter of the Romance of the Gods: Come to the East with the advice of Taoist priests. I saw my foot on Xiangyun, and suddenly I came to Lu Peng. Guang Chengzi came to Lao Zi and Yuan Shi and said, "These two western teachers are very respectful." Lao Zi and Yuan Shi led the crowd to meet the enemy under the tent. I saw a man standing six feet tall. But see: Daxian is barefoot and fragrant with dates and pears, and it is even more unusual to step on Xiangyun; Twelve lotus stands play a magic weapon, and the edge of Bade pool is white. Life is positive with heaven and earth, and happiness is crazy with Hongbo. This is the name of a relic cultivated in the west. Lao Tzu and Yuan Shi took the invitation, put it on their bodies, kowtowed and sat down. B Look at The Journey to the West's description of the Tathagata in the seventh Middle Road: See the barefoot fairy again. After bowing to the jade emperor, he thanked the Buddha and said, "I am deeply impressed by the demon nature and surrender to the demon monkey." There is nothing to respect, especially two pears and a few dates. " The poem says: Daxian is barefoot, and pear blossoms are fragrant with dates. Dedication to Tommy is a long life. The seven treasures of Lianhua Mountain are as stable as others, and the golden flowers are as beautiful as brocade. Life with heaven and earth is not absurd, and Fu is crazier than Hongbo. Blessed life really comes as scheduled, and leisure in the west is a blessing. Tathagata is also called Xie. Tell Arnold and Ye Jia to put away all the offerings and give the Jade Emperor a thank-you banquet. C. In the Romance of the Gods, there is another passage: Three Buddhist relics appeared on the Taoist priest's head, and they shot swords. That sword is absolutely reliable. How can you come down? The western hierarch entered the immortal gate until he stopped at it. Many factors show that Taoist priests became Buddha after several years. Western religion is the predecessor of Buddhism. 2. Quasi-Taoist VS Bodhi Patriarch Let's first look at how the two works evaluate the other two: A. Quasi-Taoist appeared for the first time, see Chapter 61 of Romance of the Gods: After hearing Manjusri's wide spread of Buddha, someone called, "Brother Daojian keeps people!" Guangfa Tianzun recalled that he couldn't recognize who this person was; The Taoist priest wore a double bun robe and said, "Thank you!" Guangfa Tianzun replied, "Where do Taoist friends come from? What do you want to see? " "Brother Dao didn't know me, so I said everything, and I knew the ending: I thought Jin Xian was not in time. Bodhi, the wonderful ancestor of the west; If you don't die or live three or three lines, you will be full of goodwill. Emptiness changes with it, just like nature; The same fate as heaven, solemnity, exorcist, and bright heart have been robbed. The Taoist priest said: "Poverty is the only way for Taoist priests under Western teaching. "B. The bodhi ancestor appeared for the first time and met Journey to the West for the first time: I saw the bodhi ancestor sitting on the stage with thirty fairies standing on both sides. Sure enough: I feel that Jin Xian is not dirty, and the West is the wonderful ancestor of Bodhi; If you don't die or live three or three lines, you will be full of goodwill. Emptiness changes with it, just like nature; The same fate as heaven, solemnity, exorcist, and bright heart have been robbed. The quasi-Taoist in the Romance of Gods is an enlightened person. He came to the East many times to change his destiny. Have a good understanding of oriental Taoism. He is the second leader of western religions. I know Buddhist culture like the back of my hand The founder of Bodhi in The Journey to the West is like a Buddha and a Taoist. Known as Bodhi, he is a Taoist. It can be seen that he has a deep relationship with western Taoism. One teaches in the western paradise, and the other lives in seclusion in Hezhou, Xiniu. There are indications that the founder of Bodhi is a Taoist Zhunti. Only later, western religions were merged into Buddhism, and Taoist priests were renamed Tathagata disciples to be in charge of Buddhism, while Taoist priests were renamed Bodhi ancestors, living in seclusion in the mountains and cultivating self-cultivation. According to the above comments, we can draw a conclusion. That is, the founder of Bodhi is Zhunti, a Taoist priest, and the younger brother of Tathagata. These two men used to be in charge of western religions together. Later, the Tathagata became a six-foot golden body, established Buddhism and annexed western religions. Since then, Bodhi has lived in seclusion in the mountains and named this mountain "Lingtai Fangcun Mountain", which is opposite to "Tianzhu Lingshan". Since then, no one knows his residence except the residents in the mountains. Even the Tathagata doesn't know where his brother is. I didn't even know there were immortals in Hezhou, Xiniu. The Tathagata once commented on Xiniuhezhou: "I, Xiniuhezhou, don't be greedy and don't kill, raise my spirit. Although there is no truth, everyone will live a long life "(see the eighth journey to the west). It can be seen that Tathagata, who is in the same place as Xi Niu, does not know the existence of Bodhi Zu Bodhi. Therefore, Bodhi's way is no worse than Tathagata's, and he can even avoid Tathagata's eyes.