Xizhuang Temple

　　 Xizhuang Temple Xizhuang was originally named Gaolaozhuang, located in the northern suburbs of Baoshan City, about 12 kilometers from the city. One of the main characters in *Journey to the West*, Zhu Bajie, disappeared without a trace after accompanying Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. In the human world, there are not many temples dedicated to his worship, but in Xizhuang Village, Banqiao Town, Longyang District, western Yunnan, there is now an "Eight Precepts Temple" enshrining a clay statue of Zhu Bajie adorned in gold. It is said that this Xizhuang was the place where Zhu Bajie married into the family before setting off on the journey to the West.

　　 It is said that Xizhuang was originally named Gaolaozhuang, and Zhu Bajie, when he was a demon, used to roam the area around Gaolaozhuang.

　　 Later, Zhu Bajie transformed into a young farmer and married into the family of Elder Gao as a son-in-law. However, after marrying Miss Gao, his lazy and gluttonous pig-like nature gradually began to show. To avoid trouble, Zhu Bajie and Miss Gao moved to a small hill behind the village. After being enlightened by Guanyin Bodhisattva, when Tang Sanzang passed through on his journey to the West to retrieve the scriptures, Zhu Bajie became his disciple, joining Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing in protecting Tang on the quest. As a result, Gaolaozhuang was renamed Xizhuang.

　　 After Zhu Bajie attained enlightenment and became immortal, the villagers built a temple for him in Xizhuang and crafted a golden statue of him,

　　 which has been worshipped year-round with uninterrupted incense offerings. Today, Zhu Bajie’s golden statue still resides on the side of the main hall door at the Erwang Temple in Xizhuang, while the main hall enshrines the compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva. The statue of Zhu Bajie depicts him carrying a nine-toothed rake on his shoulder, wearing a monk's hat, straw sandals, and a blue cloth shirt, with a large belly protruding — a rather honest and simple-looking figure. The original statue was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and the current one was recreated over a decade ago. In front of the statue of Zhu Bajie, incense smoke curls upward daily, with continuous offerings. Villagers from neighboring areas come here to burn incense and make offerings, praying for Zhu Bajie to bless their families and children with safety and freedom from illness. It is said to be very efficacious.

　　 Around Xizhuang Temple, there are many historical sites related to the legends of Zhu Bajie.

　　 The place where Zhu Bajie used to roll in the mud and take mud baths was called Landan, which has now been renamed Landan (Wave Dam). Not far from Xizhuang, the cliff cave at Wofo Temple was the mountain cave where Zhu Bajie lived when he was a demon.

　　 In front of the temple, there are three thousand-year-old banyan trees. Legend has it that these three large trees were planted by Zhu Bajie when he left to join Tang Sanzang on the journey to the West, as a farewell gesture to his father-in-law and wife. They have now become a popular spot for locals to relax and chat during their leisure time. About 30 meters from the temple, there is a river, locally called Bajieqing (Bajie Brook), which was later renamed Xizhuang River after Gaolaozhuang was renamed Xizhuang.

　　 The legend goes that having a temple, a golden statue, and continuous worship dedicated solely to Zhu Bajie is not only perhaps unique in China, but certainly very rare.

　　 Xizhuang Temple