Master Remembrance Day Exhibition 2026
Meet the real Master Xuanzang behind Journey to the West
You know Sun Wukong and 唐三藏.
Discover Xuanzang’s real journey to preserve Buddhist teachings.
A free, interactive family exhibition exploring his story and the great Buddhist teachers continuing this work.
Date: 24–25 October 2026
Venue: BW Monastery Main Shrine Hall
Free admission · English and Mandarin · No prior Buddhist knowledge needed
Master Remembrance Day Exhibition
Traverse Life & Death to come for me, bravely turning the wheel of the true Dharma
Behind the familiar 唐三藏 of Journey to the West was Master Xuanzang (玄奘大师), a Tang-dynasty monk, traveller and translator.
He journeyed far from home to seek Buddhist teachings, then translated and preserved them for others to study and practise. His journey needed no magic to be extraordinary.
Discover his story through displays and activities your family can explore together.
Why we remember
Master Remembrance Day honours Venerable Master Jih-Chang, whose guidance helped lay the foundations for BW Monastery and structured Dharma learning in Singapore.
Xuanzang’s story introduces the dedication behind preserving and sharing Buddhist teachings. The exhibition invites us to appreciate our teachers’ kindness and discover how this work continues.
What does it take to keep these teachings available for the next generation?
The story behind the story we grew up with
Most of us knew Great Master Xuanzang as 唐三藏—the monk protected by Sun Wukong in Journey to the West.
Behind that familiar character was real Tang dynasty monk who journeyed far from home to seek Buddhist teachings. He went on to devote his life to translating and preserving them so that others could learn from them.
This exhibition brings his story to life for families to explore and experience together.
Five experiences to enjoy as a family
Discover why Great Master Xuanzang and other masters braved danger to seek and preserve Buddhist teachings.
Uncover the differences between the real Great Master Xuanzang and 唐三藏 from Journey to the West through games and activities.
Learn how great lineage masters of modern times have continued the work of translating and sharing Buddhist teachings.
Try hands-on activities together, including playing an interactive pointing game and taking on a translation challenge.
Let a miniature replica of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔) spark your imagination and bring Great Master Xuanzang’s aspiration to life.
Try the activities, compare your answers and uncover details of the story that may surprise adults and children alike. Leave with a true story to discuss on the way home—and a deeper appreciation of the dedication needed to preserve knowledge for future generations.
The exhibition welcomes the general public as well as Buddhist and Lamrim families. The experience is available in English and Mandarin. No prior knowledge is needed. Young children can participate with parental supervision.
Allow around 30-60 minutes for the exhibition, or take your time with the displays and activities.
More than something to look at
Planning your visit
-
Saturday, 24 October 2026 10:00 AM–6:00.
Sunday, 25 October 2026, 10:00AM-closing time tbc.
-
Address: BW Monastery, Level 4 Hall
[Full address to be verified][Nearest MRT, bus, parking and map link to be added]
-
The programme will be run in English and Mandarin.
-
Wheelchair- and stroller-accessible
❋
Presented by bw monastery
Email: [Event email to be added]
WhatsApp: [Event WhatsApp number to be added]
You’ve seen the legend. Now meet the person.
Bring your parents, your children or the friends who grew up watching Journey to the West with you. The exhibition is open for one weekend only.
The Monkey King made the journey famous. Discover what made Xuanzang take it.
Commonly asked questions
-
It shares the true story of Master Xuanzang beyond Journey to the West—why he travelled in search of Buddhist teachings, how he helped translate and preserve them, and why this work still matters today.
-
It will be held at BW Monastery, Level 4 Hall, on Saturday, 24 October 2026, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Sunday, 25 October 2026, from 1:00 PM. Sunday’s closing time is TBC.
[Full address, directions and map link to be added after verification]
-
Yes. Admission is free.
-
Walk-ins are welcome. Advance registration is encouraged so you can receive the confirmed schedule and programme updates.
[Registration link to be added]
-
Yes. Preschoolers can participate under parental supervision, and older children can enjoy the displays and activities with their families.
-
Your family can compare the real Xuanzang with the 唐三藏 of Journey to the West, try interactive activities and a simple translation challenge, and explore a small-scale replica of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔). A few surprises are being saved for the exhibition itself.
-
Most visitors can expect to spend around 30–60 minutes, depending on how long they spend with the displays and activities.
-
It is a bilingual experience, with information available in English and Mandarin.
-
No. The exhibition welcomes the general public as well as Buddhist and Lamrim families. Anyone interested in Xuanzang, Journey to the West, history, culture or translation can enjoy it. No prior knowledge is needed.
-
Yes. The venue is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. Please contact the event team if you need specific assistance.
-
Yes, where an exhibit is marked as interactive. Please avoid touching display objects unless indicated.
-
Yes. Personal photography and short personal videos are welcome unless otherwise indicated at a specific exhibit.
-
Guided tours or special programmes may be available at selected times. Please check the exhibition schedule (TBC) for details.
-
Yes. You are welcome to return during the exhibition’s opening hours.
-
Please approach an exhibition team member during your visit.
Email: [Event email to be added]
WhatsApp: [Event WhatsApp number to be added]