Midterm Exam Study Guide

Directions: The midterm exam may include multiple choice, identification, matching and essay questions. You are responsible for the following characters in the Story: 

Main Characters

Hsuan-tsang  (Xuanzang, Tangsang, Sanzang, Tripitaka. Golden cicada, Buddha of Precocious Merit)

Monkey King, Su Wu kong (Sun Wukong, Aware of Vacuity, pi-ma-wen, Great Sage, Equal of Heaven, Buddha Victorious in Strife)

Pigsy, Zhu Bao jie (pig) (Wu neng,  Marshal of the Heavenly Reeds, Cleanser of Altars)

Sandy, Friar Sand,  (Sha Wu jing,  Curtain-Raising Marshal, Golden-Bodied Arhat)

Bodhisattva Guanyin (Bodhisattva from the Southern Ocean)

Jade Emperor (Daoist Ao Guang, Yu Wang, Celestial Jade Emperor)

Seconday characters: First half of the story

Yama (King of Death), Patriarch Subodhi, Demon King of Havoc, Ao-kuang (Dragon King of Eastern Ocean), Ao-chin (Dragon King of Southern Ocean), Ao-shun  (Dragon King of Northern Ocean), Ao-jun (Dragon King of Western Ocean), General Gold Star (spirit of the Planet Venus), Devaraji Li (Pagoda -Bearing Heavenly King, Vaishravana), Prince Natha (Son of Devaraji), Mighty Mighty (god), Queen Mother (of the West, Taoist), Barefoot Immortal, Lao-tsu (God of Longevity), God Erlang, The Buddha (Venerable One from the Western Region of Perfect Bliss), Prince Moksa (Huian the Novice, disciple of Kuan-yin, second son of Devaraji Li), White Horse (dragon, son of Ao-jun, one of eight Heavenly Dragons), Hisao Yu (Chief Minister to Emperor Tang Taizong), Emperor Tang Taizong

Places

You should be able to identify the places listed below and what events occur there.

 First half of the story

Cloud Palace of Golden Arches, Ao-lai, Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, Water Curtain Cave, Mind Heart Mountain, Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars, Dragon Palace of the Eastern Ocean, Jade Green Palace, Garden of Immortal Peaches, Tushita Palace, River of Libations, Mountain of Five Elements, Southern Continent, River of Flowing Sands, Potalaka Mountain of the Southern Ocean, Great Temple of Thunderclap, Double Fork Ridge

Ideas and Concepts

Confucian:  Heaven, Mandate of Heaven

Daoist: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, tao, te, yin/yang, wu-w

Xuanzang's travels (Bernstein): Emperor Tang Taizong, Bandhu, Harsha (Monarch of all India), Huili (Hui Li), Xian (Chang'an), Lanchou, Wu Wei, Jayuguan, Yumen Gate, Gaochang, Qu Wencai, Hami, Turfan.

Things or terms:  You should be able to identify each of the items listed below:

Yellow Court, Twelve Words of Subodhi's teaching, Way of the Ways, Way of Silence, Way of Action, Perfect Way of Truth, Three Calamities, Art of Heavenly Ladle, Art of the Earthly Multitude, Technique of Body Outside the Body, Three kinds of peaches, Elixer, Imp reflecting mirror
 

Essay Questions:

1.  What is the Chinese conception of Time as presented in the stories?

2.  How does the depiction of Heaven in the stories reflect the Chinese understanding of an ordered society?

3.  What are the requirements for discipleship?

4.  In what ways does the story of Xuangzang in Journey to the West differ from the history (see Bernstein)?

5.  What are the different properties that the peaches in the Garden of Heaven convey to the eater? What does this tell us about Chinese values?

6.  Compare the journey in the story with Western concepts of travel as a way to discuss cultural values.  What are the different kinds of travel undertaken?  What are the different kinds of goals or objects to be attained?  What are the spiritual outcomes expected from similiar kinds of pilgrimages?

Remember to bring a blue book and scantron sheet to the exam.

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