Zhu Ba Jie, popularly known as “Pigsy” in English, is a prominent character featured in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West (西游记 xī yóu jì). Initially, he was a celestial being but was expelled from Heaven due to his lewd behavior. Similar to Sha Wu Jing (沙悟净 shā wù jì), Zhu Ba Jie began his journey as a heavenly general. He once held the esteemed title of Tian Peng Marshal (天蓬元帅 tiān péng yuán shuài), a position bestowed by the Jade Emperor (玉帝 yù dì), where he led over 100,000 troops and was responsible for the management of the River Tian (天河 tiān hé). However, his primal instincts led him astray, culminating in a mistake that changed his fate.
The tale recounts an event during a grand banquet hosted by the Queen Mother of the West (西王母 xī wáng mǔ) in her enchanting Flat Peach Garden (蟠桃园 pán táo yuán), where all celestial beings, including Chang’ E (嫦娥 cháng’ é), the Moon Goddess, were present. Tian Peng Marshal, known for his inappropriate advances, was captivated by Chang’ E’s stunning appearance. Fueled by alcohol, he deceived her into a private chamber and attempted to assault her. Thankfully, she managed to evade his clutches, leading to Tian Peng Marshal facing the wrath of the Jade Emperor. As punishment for his transgression, he was stripped of his title and banished from Heaven, leading to him being reborn in the mortal realm as a piglet.
The interpretation of this transformation varies; some suggest it was a deliberate punishment for his misconduct, while others claim it was an unfortunate coincidence.
After some time, a piglet emerged, retaining memories of his former glory in Heaven. Through self-cultivation, he eventually transformed into the Pigsy recognized in Journey to the West. His appearance was remarkable yet unattractive; he had dark grey skin, a wild boar’s face complete with two imposing tusks, and a human body—a stark embodiment of his prior existence. He faced societal rejection and lived in solitude at Yun Zhan Cave (云栈洞 yún zhàn dòng) on Fu Ling Mountain (福陵山 fú líng shān) until he learned of Tang Seng’s (唐僧 táng sēng) quest for Buddhist scriptures in the West. Eager to join this sacred journey, Pigsy approached Tang Seng and was welcomed as a second disciple, alongside the Monkey King (孙悟空 sūn wù kōng). Tang Seng named him “Zhu Ba Jie,” which translates to “Pig Eight Quit,” in recognition of the Monk’s realization that Pigsy must adhere to the “Eight Precepts” (五荤三厌 wǔ hūn sān yàn).
The first five precepts encourage abstaining from taking life, stealing, deceitful communication, intoxication, and sexual misconduct. The remaining three precepts highlight the importance of proper meal times, avoiding indulgent distractions like music or lavish clothing, as well as steering clear of luxurious physical comforts.
Despite facing various challenges, Pigsy demonstrated unwavering loyalty and forged a strong alliance with the Monkey King in their collective effort to safeguard Tang Seng on his treacherous expedition westward. He wielded the Nine-Toothed Rake (九齿钉耙 jiǔ chǐ dīng pá), a gift from the Jade Emperor, and displayed mastery of the Cloud Somersault (筋斗云 Jīn dǒu yún), which enabled him to summon clouds for rapid travel. Additionally, he learned the Way of the 36 Changes (三十六般变化 sān shí liù bān biàn huà), allowing him to transform into 36 various natural entities.
While most of his fellow travelers reached enlightenment and became arhats (罗汉 luó hàn), Pigsy fell short of this ultimate goal. Though he demonstrated notable growth, the Jade Emperor concluded that he remained shackled to his base desires. Upon his return to Heaven, he received a modest title—”Cleanser of the Altars” (净坛使者 jìng tán shǐ zhě)—along with an allowance of leftovers to consume, reflecting his role in the pilgrimage’s success.
