Calamities in Journey to the West? My heart and form are both void.

Summary

The passage depicts a profound dialogue between Xuanzang and an old demon about human morality and the value of life. The demon challenges Xuanzang's plea for mercy by exposing humanity's systemic cruelty: government corruption, farmer exploitation, and societal indifference to human suffering. He argues that humans, not demons, are the true monsters, consuming lives through oppressive systems, tax burdens, and self-serving behaviors. The demon suggests that human compassion is a facade, revealing a world where life is cheap, people betray their own for profit, and survival is a constant struggle against institutional and personal greed.

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