Who is Zhu Ba Jie?

Zhu Ba Jie is a character in Journey to the West, a novel written by Wu Cheng'en in the late 16th century. He got this name, Ba Jie, from his master Tang Tsang (Xuan Zang).

Zhu - last name meaning pig
Ba - means eight
Jie - means prohibitions

The eight prohibition in Buddhism that every Buddhist must obey.

Here is a little history on my new hero: ^_____^

Ba Jie, before he became a pig demon, he was Tian Peng Yuan Shuai in charge of the Heavenly River. During the Empress's Peach Banquet, the drunking Tian Peng (Ba Jie) stumbled into the Guang Han Palace and flirted with the Moon Goddess, Chang Er. Words of this got to the Jade Emperor and Ba Jie was captured and got kick out of heaven to be reincarnated as his punishment.

On the way, he accidentally fall into the wrong place, and got reincarnated as a pig. Ba Jie lives in the Yun Zhan Cave on the Fu Ling Mountain. During this time, his diet is human, yummy humans. (Have u ever wonder what humans taste like? Maybe we taste like chicken too? ^__^ )

One day, the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) passed by and asked if Ba Jie want to protect the Tang Monk on his journey to the west, as this will end his punishment.
Ba Jie happily agrees. Kuan Yin gave him the name Wu Neng, meaning awareness of ability. (Awareness of ability?? what ability?? ^___^ )

One day, Ba Jie overheard that a man name Gao from a nearby village is looking for a groom for his daughter, Ba Jie transfer himself into a human and went to ask for the daughter's hand in marriage. The Gao family was fascinated by Ba Jie's strength and so they agree. But as time when on, they notice Ba Jie's true character... and she wants a divorce. Ba Jie was so pissed that he locked up his wife, turns himself back to his true form, a pig demon, and went back to his cave. Ba Jie came to visit his wife every couple of nights pressuring her to accept him. But she will not agree. (who would want to marry a pig, right?? )

Anyway, 2 years passed by. Maybe. I am not so clear on that. ^__^ Monkey King and Xuan Zang passed by. They were invited by the Gao family to capture Ba Jie. Of course Monkey King would agree. He loves to fight. ^___^ Guess who win?? My awesome, fiancee to be, MONKEY KING. hehehehehe.... Monkey King captured Ba Jie and brought him back to his master, Xuan Zang. Ba Jie, once heard Xuan Zang's name, told them that Kuan Yin wants him to go with them on the journey too.

Ba Jie bid his adieu to his wife and parent's in law and off he goes. (I think his wife was pregnant in the JTTW sequel I watch long ago. not sure on the real story)

Zhu Ba Jie is lustful, a coward, lazy and very greedy. (Why is he my hero, again? hehehehehe..) He has 36 transformation powers, unlike Monkey King who has 72. His weapon is a nine-toothed rake. He can fly. He is best fighting in waters, which help Monkey King greatly along the journey. My Monkey King can't fight well under water.=(

Anyway, after his journey, Buddha makes him the "Altar Cleaning God". He can't become a Buddha, because he still have sins. ^___^

FIN. ^________________^


A couple of pics from the TV series.