Tang Seng is the central pilgrim of Journey to the West and is also known as Tripitaka and Xuanzang. He is sent westward in search of Buddhist scriptures, and the main journey of the novel develops around this mission.
During the pilgrimage, Tang Seng takes Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Heshang as disciples. His companions possess extraordinary martial and supernatural abilities, while Tang Seng himself serves primarily as the pilgrim and spiritual center of the group.
Because demons believe that eating Tang Seng’s flesh can grant immortality, he repeatedly becomes the target of supernatural enemies. Sun Wukong and the other disciples must therefore fight a long succession of monsters, spirits, and magical opponents.
Tang Seng is compassionate but often unable to recognize supernatural disguises, producing repeated conflicts with Sun Wukong. Guanyin remains one of the principal divine guides behind the pilgrimage.
After enduring the many trials of the journey, Tang Seng and his disciples finally reach the western destination and receive the scriptures. He therefore stands at the center of the network connecting Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Heshang, Guanyin, and the entire pilgrimage narrative.
