Ma Yuan (Chinese: 马元) is a character from the classic Chinese gods-and-demons novel Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi). In the novel, he is a disciple of the Chan Sect known for his unusual appearance and cannibalistic behavior. He is later converted to the Western Sect and becomes the Buddhist figure known as Ma Yuan Honored King Buddha (马元尊王佛, Ma Yuan Zun Wang Fo).
Contents
In Fengshen Yanyi
In the novel, Ma Yuan is a cultivator who lives in White Bone Cave (白骨洞) on Skull Mountain (骷髅山). He is described as having a grotesque appearance, with a face like melon skin, sharp fangs, and a skull-bead rosary around his neck. Flames are said to emerge from his eyes, ears, and nose. His most unusual ability is a hidden third arm extending from the back of his neck, which he uses to attack his enemies. Unlike many immortal cultivators in Chinese mythology, Ma Yuan is portrayed as a meat-eater and cannibal.
Ma Yuan proves to be a powerful opponent in battle. When fighting Wu Rong (武荣), a grain transport officer of Qin Province, he uses his hidden arm to tear Wu Rong apart and eats his heart. His brutal actions frighten the Zhou forces, and even warriors such as Yang Jian and Tuxingsun struggle against him at first. Because Ma Yuan is not included on the Investiture Roster (不在封神榜上), he cannot be killed during the great tribulation. Jiang Ziya, Yang Jian, and Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun therefore capture him through a trap. When Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun is about to execute him, Zhunti Daoren of the Western Sect appears and saves him, explaining that Ma Yuan has a connection with the Western teachings. Ma Yuan then accepts Zhunti Daoren's guidance and later becomes the Buddhist figure Ma Yuan Honored King Buddha (马元尊王佛).
Interpretation
Scholar Hu Wenhui argues that the conflict between the orthodox Chan Sect and the Jie Sect in the novel may represent a satire of Daoist rivalries during the late Ming dynasty. In this interpretation, the Jie Sect symbolizes the Zhengyi School, which was criticized by some Quanzhen followers for its emphasis on rituals, talismans, and magical practices. Although Ma Yuan belongs to the Chan Sect in the novel, his portrayal as a flesh-eating monster has been interpreted as part of the novel's broader criticism of certain forms of Daoist supernatural practice and its preference for the Quanzhen tradition.