The "Karma" of the story begins long before the pilgrimage starts. Each member of the party is a fallen celestial being enduring a .
Introduction
"The Karma Saiyuki" is a story about the long road toward . The novel suggests that while we are all bound by the consequences of our past "crimes," we are not defined by them forever. Through the 81 trials, the characters prove that the wheel of karma, which originally brought them low, is the same wheel that eventually carries them toward enlightenment. The journey is the process of turning a debt into a legacy. The Karma Saiyuki
His debt is rooted in pride and hubris . His imprisonment under the Five Elements Mountain for 500 years is a direct karmic reaction to his rebellion against Heaven. The "Karma" of the story begins long before