Exploring the Ideological Value and Narrative Role of Buddhism and Taoism in Dream of the Red Chamber and Journey to the West
Abstract
Buddhist and Taoist philosophies serve as the value engines of Dream of the Red Chamber and Journey to the West. To investigate their ideological significance and narrative functions in both novels, this study employs close reading and comparative analysis to conduct a cross-work investigation. The findings reveal distinctive yet convergent representations of these philosophies across the two masterpieces. In Journey to the West, the celestial bureaucracy headed by the Jade Emperor embodies Taoism, while the pantheon of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas led by Tathagata represents Buddhism—reflecting a paradigm of coexisting yet distinct religious systems. Conversely, Dream of the Red Chamber consistently portrays an interwoven fusion of both traditions, epitomized by the inseparable Buddhist Monk and Taoist Priest who function as leitmotifs throughout the narrative. The fundamental commonality lies in how both novels’ spiritual cores emerge from the syncretism of Buddhist and Taoist thought. This convergence mirrors the historical integration of both philosophies during the Ming-Qing period, demonstrating how literary works are intrinsically shaped by their Historical and Cultural Contexts.
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