Is “Sha Seng is a fictional character in Journey to the West based on legend.” true?
novel invention
In Chapter 008 of 'Journey to the West', Sha Seng is originally the Heavenly Court's Curtain-Raising General, demoted to the Flowing Sands River. This image originates from the legend in 'The Biography of the Tripitaka Master of the Great Ci'en Monastery' where Xuanzang encounters the Deep Sand Spirit while crossing the desert, and is not a real disciple. Original text: "弟子向蒙菩萨教化，指沙为姓，与我起个法名，唤做沙悟净，岂有不从师父之理？" (Chapter 022 of 'Journey to the West').
Sha Wujing (Friar Sand)
Sha Seng evolved from the legend of the Deep Sand Spirit; there is no such disciple in history.
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