Last time, Mike covered the Preface to the Revised Edition. This time, Mike covers the Preface to the 1st Edition and then starts the "official" Introduction to the novel! The promised historical context is here (and will be here for the next ~90 pages, however long that takes). I think we're gonna be in the Introduction for awhile, folks! Next time: Introduction Part 2

• The version Mike is reading: The Journey to the West, Revised Edition, Volume 1, Translated and Edited by Anthony C. Yu

• If you'd like to see and hear more from Mike, visit his website at michaelmaccubbin.com

• Articles referenced this episode:

• Dharma

• Yogachara

• Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra

• The stupa

• Ashoka

• Religious syncretism

• Intro Music: 雲宮迅音 (電視劇《西遊記》片頭曲) Remix by Michael MacCubbin

• ft. No Sleep Till Brooklyn by the Beastie Boys

• Outro Music: Gandhara - English Version by Godiego