《西游记》天宫制度刍议

Discussion on the Heavenly Palace System in Journey to the West

《西游记》中的天宫制度是中国历代传统统治制度的大杂烩,其政府组成机构、选官任官、巡视监察、兵防等各项制度都有传统统治制度的影子。制度的形成是历史条件、外在环境和统治者执政理念长期互动的过程,绝非统治者随心所欲的结果,但天宫制度既然属于以个人集权为根本的传统统治,人治因素便不可避免。天宫统治者执政理念与其心目中的社会蓝图密不可分,在社会蓝图未被完全证伪之前,统治者必然会采取针对性行动查漏补缺,在《西游记》中体现为支持唐僧取经以落实安天大计。

The heavenly palace system in Journey to the West is a hodgepodge of traditional Chinese governance systems throughout history,with various systems such as government composition,selection and appointment of officials,inspection and supervision,and military defense all bearing the shadow of traditional governance systems.The formation of the system is a process of long-term interaction between historical conditions,external environment,and the ruling ideology of rulers,and is not the result of rulers’arbitrary desires.However,since the heavenly palace system belongs to the traditional rule based on individual centralization,the factor of rule by man is inevitable.The ruling philosophy of the rulers of the heavenly palace is closely related to their social blueprint.Before the social blueprint is completely falsified,the rulers will inevitably take targeted actions to identify and fill in gaps.This is reflected in Journey to the West as supporting Monk Tang in obtaining scriptures to implement the great plan of An Tian.