Master Xuanzang

Right in front of us stands a beautiful statue of Master Xuanzang — one of the most respected monks in Chinese history.

He’s dressed in Buddhist robes, holding a staff in his right hand and prayer beads in his left.

His face is calm and kind, yet full of wisdom and determination — as if he’s still on that legendary journey westward, walking toward India.

Now, does the name Tang Sanzang ring a bell?

That’s him! He’s the real-life monk who inspired the character Tang Monk in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.

You know — the one traveling with Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the Dragon Horse?

Many of my foreign friends love that story — and this is the real man behind it.

There’s a powerful story connected to this place.

A few years ago, a famous Chinese rock singer — Xu Wei — was going through a dark time. He was struggling with depression, feeling lost.

On a quiet impulse, he came here, to this very spot, and stayed for days — just sitting, thinking, absorbing the energy of the pagoda and the spirit of Xuanzang.

And then, inspiration struck.

He wrote a song — not just any song, but one that would become a modern classic: “Blue Lotus.”

Here is one of the famous line:

“Nothing can stand in the way of your pursuit of freedom.”

That moment changed everything for him.

He didn’t just write a hit — he found his way back to himself.

And many believe it was Xuanzang’s spirit — that unshakable determination, that search for inner freedom — that gave him strength.

In that moment, Xu Wei truly understood Xuanzang.

Because Xuanzang wasn’t just traveling thousands of miles — he was chasing spiritual freedom.

And that’s a journey that still speaks to people today.