Who is Sun Wukong's successor?

Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, does not have a direct "successor" in the traditional sense, as his journey in "Journey to the West" primarily focuses on his redemption and enlightenment rather than a passing of leadership or legacy. However, there are a few interpretations or aspects of "successor" in the context of Sun Wukong's role and legacy:

1. Sun Wukong's Role as Protector and Teacher:

In the "Journey to the West", Sun Wukong plays a pivotal role in protecting the monk Xuanzang (Tang Seng) during their pilgrimage to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures. By the end of the story, Sun Wukong is granted Buddhahood and elevated to a higher status. As part of his redemption, he is no longer the mischievous and rebellious character from the beginning but becomes a Buddhist protector. In this sense, his transformation marks the end of his "wild" nature and a spiritual succession to a higher moral calling, but not a literal successor who takes over his role.

2. Sha Wujing (Sandy) and Zhu Bajie (Pigsy):

While Sun Wukong does not have a specific successor, his companions Sha Wujing (Sandy) and Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) share similar goals and play essential roles in the journey. They each contribute to the success of the pilgrimage, and after the journey, all the disciples—Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing—are granted rewards and positions of honor by the Buddha. Thus, in some interpretations, Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie could be seen as taking up Sun Wukong's role, but in a more symbolic and thematic sense, they are co-equals rather than successors.

3. Sun Wukong's Legacy in Other Works:

In various adaptations and spin-offs of "Journey to the West" (including literature, films, TV series, and video games), Sun Wukong's legacy is explored in different ways. For example:

• In certain modern adaptations, characters inspired by Sun Wukong or his attributes, such as his strength, cunning, and immortality, take on roles of leadership or inheritance. These characters, sometimes referred to as "descendants" or "successors" in broader narratives, often embody the same rebellious and playful spirit that Wukong originally had.

• In the Chinese novel "The Monkey King: Journey to the West" by Wu Cheng'en, there are instances where Sun Wukong's offspring, or others imbued with his powers, are shown as continuing his legacy, but none of them explicitly "succeed" him in the traditional sense of leadership.

4. Modern Depictions of Successor Characters:

In contemporary media, Sun Wukong's successors or "heirs" are sometimes depicted as descendants or followers who inherit aspects of his magical abilities, skills, or characteristics:

• In video games, such as "SMITE" or "League of Legends," characters who share similar attributes or who are inspired by the Monkey King’s legend (such as those from the "Monkey King" or "Journey to the West" mythos) can be seen as successors in a spiritual or thematic sense.

• In the Chinese animated series and movies, there are often characters who are portrayed as inheriting Wukong’s abilities, like a younger, more powerful version of the Monkey King. These characters are sometimes viewed as his successors in certain timelines.

5. Sun Wukong's Enlightenment:

In the philosophical and spiritual sense, Sun Wukong's journey is about personal transformation from a rebellious and prideful immortal to a compassionate, enlightened figure. His final "successor" could be seen as the enlightened version of himself, where he has passed through trials, been humbled, and ascended to Buddhahood.

Conclusion:

In the original story of "Journey to the West," Sun Wukong doesn't have a direct successor in terms of an heir taking over his mantle. Instead, his journey is one of personal growth, and he ultimately transcends his former self to reach a higher spiritual plane. However, in various adaptations, his companions, descendants, or symbolic successors embody aspects of his legacy. The focus is less on succession and more on his evolution from a rebellious figure to a wise, enlightened one.