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Stories: journey to the west

Text Stories: journey to the west

TLF ID M012751

This is a two-part presentation of slides, telling and illustrating the Chinese Buddhist legend of 'Journey to the west'. 'Part 1: the adventures of Monkey' introduces the main character, Monkey, and the folk story outlines how his character evolves, becoming boastful and mischievous. 'Part 2: preparing for the great journey' continues from part 1 and introduces the other characters and the part they played in the ancient pilgrimage from China to India. The last slide provides factual information about the influence of the folk story on the establishment of Buddhism in China.

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Educational details

Educational value
  • The resource is valuable for supporting the content description for year 5 English as it provides a condensed version of a significant cultural and historical Chinese story. The resource aligns text and images to convey meaning.
  • The resource is valuable as it supports the content description the year 7 history curriculum and introduces the significant mythological character of Monkey and his epic journey. The folk story is a significant story in a major belief system originating in Asia. The resource will contribute to students' understanding about how individuals play significant roles in the development of communities and the establishment of beliefs and values. The monk Xuanzang was a real person who lived and performed exceptional deeds to establish Buddhism in China.
  • The resource contributes to students attaining the achievement standard in year 5 English, as it is a good example of a historical and cultural text that conveys literal and implied information. It introduces a significant Chinese folk story corresponding to the beliefs of Buddhism. The story of Monkey and his companions is a cultural and spiritual quest story in which the mythological characters encounter challenges that must be overcome in order to reach their goal. The illustrations and text provide meaning and communicate the story details and its continuity.
  • It is also relevant to the cross-curriculum priority of Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia, particularly the first organising idea that people in Asia come from diverse ethnic backgrounds, traditions and cultures. The folk story of the resource teaches about redemption through overcoming life's obstacles. Its moral is central to Buddhist beliefs and values.
  • The resource may be of some use in relation to the literacy general capability.
Year level

5; 6; 7

Topics Aboriginal English literature Regional literature Classical antiquity Ancient history Literature Buddhism Chinese history Chinese literature Egyptian history Narratives Indian history Settings (Narratives) Significant people
Learning area
  • English
  • History
  • Humanities and Social Sciences

Other details

Contributors
  • Contributor
  • Name: Education Services Australia
  • Organization: Education Services Australia
  • Description: Data manager
  • Address: VIC, AUSTRALIA
  • URL: http://www.esa.edu.au/
  • Copyright Holder
  • Name: Asia Society
  • Organization: Asia Society
  • URL: http://asiasociety.org
  • Publisher
  • Name: Asia Society
  • Organization: Asia Society
  • Description: Publisher
  • URL: http://asiasociety.org
  • Resource metadata contributed by
  • Name: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Organisation: Education Services Australia Ltd
  • Address: AUSTRALIA
  • URL: www.esa.edu.au
Access profile
  • Unknown
Learning Resource Type
  • Text
  • Image
Rights
  • © 2013 Asia Society. This material may be downloaded, copied, used and communicated free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes, provided all acknowledgements are retained.