Chapter 4: Zhu Bajie — A Mirror of Earthly Reality and the Dance of Higher Dimensions
Core distinction: Zhu Bajie’s mindset: high‑dimensional wisdom worthy of learning; Zhu Bajie’s behaviours: earthly lessons to be calibrated with higher wisdom
Most people reading Journey to the West fix their eyes on Sun Wukong, the mighty demon‑slayer; respect Tang Sanzang for his unwavering faith in the pilgrimage; and acknowledge Sha Wujing for his quiet, steadfast devotion. For centuries, Zhu Bajie has been labelled gluttonous, slothful, lustful, and quick to suggest abandoning the journey to return to Gao Village. He is reduced to a comical figure for others to mock.
Yet if we move beyond black‑and‑white worldly judgement and interpret him from the perspective of earthly teachings, human‑nature teachings and cosmic reality, we discover Zhu Bajie is a mirror reflecting the fullness of human nature. He demonstrates a state of being many spiritual seekers struggle to attain: total acceptance of inner instincts with minimal inner conflict. Even when ridiculed, rejected or faced with setbacks, he rarely sinks into sorrow, inferiority or self‑denial.
There is a thought‑provoking little story. In a classroom, a teacher asked the children about their dreams for the future. The students eagerly answered they wanted to become doctors, teachers and scientists — all lofty ideals valued by the world. Two children remained silent. When the teacher gently asked them, they replied earnestly: we want to be clowns when we grow up, and come to this world to bring laughter to everyone. The whole classroom burst into laughter.
Many instinctively think being a clown is not a noble aspiration. Yet upon deeper reflection, the world is filled with tension, anxiety, self‑condemnation and mutual judgement. Often people do not need condescending lectures or condemnation; they merely wish to set down heavy masks and experience moments of lightness and joy.
This is the soul‑deep resonance between clowns and Zhu Bajie. They do not appear as heroic saviours. Simply by living authentically, they naturally radiate joyful frequency and ease the tense energy around them. Giving joy without condition is pure service, a manifestation of higher‑dimensional love.
I. Non‑dualistic Desire: See Life Energy Instead of Suppressing Instincts
Higher‑dimensional revelation tells us desire is not inherently good or evil. It is simply the manifestation of life energy within the material dimension of Earth.
Zhu Bajie embodies the most basic human longings: craving good food, yearning for comfort, and feeling attraction to intimate relationships. His special quality lies in his complete allowance for these desires to flow within him — deep self‑acceptance, not forced repression.
Earth is a material field for souls to experience life. Desire is part of what drives life experience and the enjoyment of material abundance. Zhu Bajie reminds us of a vital truth: true spiritual practice is never about eliminating desire entirely. Instead, we quietly observe desires and coexist with them. We must neither become slaves to habitual cravings, nor launch fierce self‑criticism the moment a thought arises.
In the original text’s chapter Four Sages Test the Monk’s Heart, four Bodhisattvas disguise themselves as a mother and her daughters to test the pilgrims. Tang Sanzang holds fast to his precepts and remains unmoved. Sun Wukong sees through the illusion with his fiery eyes. Sha Wujing also stays devoted to the path and is not tempted. Only Zhu Bajie openly expresses his wish to marry and settle down as a son‑in‑law.
Later readers often mock Zhu Bajie for his weak resolve. From another angle, among the four, the others are restraining and pretending, while Zhu Bajie honestly reveals his inner thoughts. He does not deceive or pretend to be free of mortal longings.
This is the predicament many spiritual practitioners face. When greedy or lustful thoughts surface, their first reaction is fear and shame. They force themselves to pretend purity. Repressed desires do not vanish; they sink into the subconscious and stir inner turmoil, creating inner fragmentation. Zhu Bajie is different: when thoughts arise, he simply recognises them, without adding the extra torment of “I am bad, I have failed in my practice”.
Desire is merely life energy. It is not sin. Spiritual practice does not uproot desire, but teaches us to observe it and avoid being enslaved by it.
II. Existence Is Complete: Do Not Define Yourself Through Others’ Judgements
Zhu Bajie holds a precious realisation: existence itself is complete.
He does not exhaust himself trying to reshape himself to fit the worldly ideal of a pure, virtuous spiritual practitioner. Along the journey, demons mock his ugly pig‑like appearance; Sun Wukong teases him constantly; Tang Sanzang scolds him for laziness. Faced with such criticism and ridicule, he seldom feels shame, inferiority or lasting pain. He wears no false mask and lives authentically.
This is the truth repeatedly conveyed by higher‑dimensional consciousness: you are sacred and whole just as you are.
Most human suffering stems from placing self‑worth in external judgements, success and failure. You sink low when others reject you; you grow anxious when things go wrong; you attack yourself when you fail to meet your own perfect standards.
Zhu Bajie’s optimism comes from deep trust in the flow of life. He understands all worldly circumstances are merely soul experiences, and all things pass away. Mockery and rejection cannot shake his inner core of stability.
His joy requires no external support. It is not forced cheerfulness, but a consciousness naturally tuned to lightness and care‑free living — unconditional joy.
We often see that after being tricked by Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie may grumble, yet soon resumes travelling, eating and laughing. He does not ruminate over grievances or hold grudges over others’ jokes. He does not equate others’ opinions with his own value. The world may judge him, but he does not accept those negative judgements. This is a rare inner steadiness.
III. The Best Mindset: Transcend Attachment and Align with the Present Moment
Flow and Non‑attachment
Zhu Bajie rarely remains stuck in sorrow amid gains and losses. This is what higher‑dimensional wisdom calls non‑attachment.
He flows like water, embracing change and resisting no present circumstance. He knows all outer conditions are transient, and only present‑moment experience is real. This relaxed frequency makes him a vital energy stabiliser for the group. When conflict erupts and tension builds among the disciples, he uses humour to bring the team back to light‑heartedness.
When facing great hardship on the pilgrimage, Zhu Bajie often suggests abandoning the journey and returning to Gao Village. Many see this as cowardice and lack of perseverance. From another perspective, it means he is not chained to the rigid fixation that he must complete the pilgrimage.
Many spiritual practitioners suffer from excessive attachment: attachment to becoming a sage, attachment to having no greedy thoughts, attachment to external approval. When reality falls short of expectations, their inner world collapses. Zhu Bajie carries no such heavy shackles. He faces what comes, and allows for alternative paths if circumstances become unbearable. This is not passive escape; it means not staking one’s whole life on a single outcome.
Inner Wholeness
His frequent talk of returning to Gao Village is not a lack of ambition. It springs from an inner sense of wholeness.
He knows his own limits and accepts his shortcomings. He is free from endless comparison and anxiety, engaging in life’s journey with ease. His longing for mortal life and domestic peace is not wrong. He does not belittle his soul simply because he yearns for worldly comfort.
Harmonising Energy Within the Team
Zhu Bajie is more than the team’s clown; he is an energy lubricant for the whole group.
Tang Sanzang is prone to fear and anxiety when facing demons. Sun Wukong is hot‑tempered, easily falling into anger and threatening to return to Huaguo Mountain. Sha Wujing keeps silent, swallowing all his emotions. Without Zhu Bajie, the pilgrimage would be filled with gravity, confrontation and tension.
When master and disciple fall into quarrels and coldness, Zhu Bajie often uses witty words to break the deadlock. Yet when battle is needed, he picks up his nine‑tooth rake and steps forward to fight.
This is the essence of higher‑dimensional teamwork. Every soul brings its unique energy to a shared mission. Souls shift roles as needed, complementing one another and moving toward the highest good. A team cannot consist only of heroes; it also needs souls who know how to relax and bring joy.
IV. Revelation for Spiritual Practitioners: Embrace Human Nature and Release Repressive Chains
Many seekers on the spiritual path fall into a major trap: they regard physical instincts and desires as enemies and choose repression, especially when it comes to sexual energy.
Some Buddhist and spiritual practitioners believe purity means eliminating all thoughts. When sexual thoughts arise, they fall into deep guilt and repentance, pretending to be desire‑free.
Zhu Bajie offers profound insight: repressing any part of human nature blocks the flow of life‑force energy.
Sexual energy is the source of creativity and a manifestation of vital life force. It is not impure; it is part of sacred life energy. Spiritual growth is not about locking down or suppressing this energy, but learning to observe, master and guide it toward higher expression.
Zhu Bajie does not struggle against desire. He lives in natural unity with his instincts, with no inner fragmentation. He does not deliberately “confront” desire; desire flows naturally within him, and there is no separation between him and desire.
His life teaches us: allowing yourself to have desires, to carry flaws in others’ eyes, and to be imperfect, is the path to true inner freedom. When you stop fighting against yourself endlessly, you can connect more easily with your higher self and experience unconditional love and acceptance.
This insight transcends rigid dogma. It asks us: spiritual growth is not about becoming cold saints devoid of emotion and instinct. It is about fully embracing all parts of yourself and living authentically.
Many practitioners grow increasingly tense, constantly judging themselves. Any passing thought triggers self‑condemnation. Yet life‑energy flows. Blocking it only creates inner distortion. Acceptance is not indulgence. Acceptance means seeing, then learning to transform.
V. Clarifying Boundaries: Learn Inner Mindset, Not Copy External Behaviour (Key to Avoid Misunderstanding)
A question naturally arises: if we accept desire, does that mean we may act without restraint? We must draw a clear line. What is worthy of learning is Zhu Bajie’s high‑frequency inner state. Some of his outer actions, however, require calibration with higher wisdom.
✅ What we may learn: accepting desires without self‑blame, remaining unshaken by others’ judgements, releasing attachment to outcomes, and holding an unconditional light‑hearted inner state.
⚠️ What needs awareness and adjustment: some of his impulsive actions, such as making advances on others without regard for their feelings, driven only by momentary craving. From the perspective of earthly reality, such actions create disharmonious energy. This is not simple worldly moral judgement, but the law of energy resonance. Any action not built upon sincerity, respect and mutual benefit sends ripples through the energy field, and corresponding experiences will return to you.
Karma and Sexual Misconduct from a Higher‑Dimensional Perspective
Karma is not divine punishment. It is the universal law of energy resonance: whatever intention, speech and action you project outwards, experiences of matching frequency will return to you.
1. Actions rooted in sincerity, respect, love and mutual benefit generate nourishing, harmonious energetic returns.
2. Actions driven purely by selfishness, manipulation and disregard for others’ free will, serving only fleeting low‑frequency craving, bring energy depletion and relational chaos. These experiences are not punishment; they are soul lessons for calibration.
From a higher‑dimensional view, so‑called sexual misconduct is more than ancient moral prohibition. It represents inefficient energy depletion and disharmonious resonance.
When intimate energy flows without genuine connection or respect, merely to satisfy temporary craving, it often drains life‑force, creates entangled relationships and leaves deep inner emptiness. Even though Zhu Bajie, through his high degree of non‑attachment, does not suffer pain from such acts, most ordinary human beings have not reached such transcendence. Repeating such patterns leads to inner conflict, emotional exhaustion, and difficulty forming deep, stable soul‑bonded connections.
How We Can Learn From Zhu Bajie Correctly
1. Keep two things clearly separate: Zhu Bajie’s mindset is high‑dimensional wisdom for us to learn; his uncalibrated outer behaviours are earthly lessons we must actively correct.
2. Focus on intention and respect: Zhu Bajie’s advances mostly stem from immediate desire. When we seek intimate relationships, our core should be sincere intention, respect for others’ free will, and longing for deep soul‑resonance.
3. Take responsibility for your own growth: learning Zhu Bajie’s ability to remain unhurt by rejection is about releasing attachment, not acting recklessly. This ease lets us stay open when seeking partners. When there is no resonance, we can let go gracefully and wait for soul‑aligned connections, instead of grasping randomly.
This insight is especially meaningful for Buddhist practitioners: spiritual practice is not repressing human nature, but understanding, accepting and elevating it.
Sexual and appetitive desires are all expressions of life‑energy. True wisdom is to guide this energy with awareness and love, so it serves the highest good for all, rather than being ruled by habitual impulses. Zhu Bajie naturally allows desires to exist. As conscious creators, while we allow thoughts to arise, we must also learn to responsibly channel and master this life‑energy.
Chapter Summary
Zhu Bajie teaches us to release attachment to outcomes, live in the present, and refuse to devalue ourselves because of others’ rejection. This inner freedom and optimism are qualities every soul longs for.
As beings living on Earth, every choice we make creates corresponding energetic returns. On the path of seeking intimate connection, we can move past Zhu Bajie’s impulsive patterns toward sincere, respectful, deep soul‑bonded relationships.
This is not suppressing desire. It is mastering life‑energy with higher‑dimensional wisdom to create soul‑nourishing experiences.
Learning from Zhu Bajie’s mindset means you need not feel shame for innate human desires, and you can openly see all parts within yourself. It does not mean copying all his behaviours. On the foundation of self‑acceptance, with reverence for others and the universal law of karma, we resonate with our own path of wholeness.
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