The Chinese myth of the meddling monk - Shunan Teng

Will Bai Su Zhen, the white snake demon, and her love, Xu Xian, ever be free of the meddling monk? (Part Two of the myth of the white snake).
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Xu Xian had just received an invitation to the opening ceremony of a new temple. His wife, Bai Su Zhen, warned him not to attend, but Xu Xian, a devout Buddhist, felt obligated to make an appearance. What they didn’t know was that these invitations had come from Fa Hai, the monk determined to separate them. Can the young lovers ever escape the monk’s meddling? Shunan Teng shares this Chinese myth.
Lesson by Shunan Teng, directed by Kino Bino.
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View full lesson: ed.ted.com/lessons/the-chines...
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[@TEDEd]

To see where this all began, check out part one of the myth of the immortal white snake: bit.ly/WhiteSnakePartOne

[@micheal5117]

First

[@markcrawford5810]

Why are the characters somewhat translucent?

[@BlueEyes-WhiteDrag0n]

Please do one video on *Goblin* _just watched the korean drama and would like to know about Goblins and Grim Reaper of different Cultures_

[@JUNVII]

You should post more about chinese mythology

[@ishanbajpai6940]

You know, Indian mythology also exists, just saying

[@pinkyoilers]

Monk: yo I know I tried to kill your wife on multiple occasions but look at this good luck bowl tho Xu Xian: this couldn't possibly be a trap

[@apprenticedemon7263]

Totally wasn't a trap...

[@ananyab4883]

Lmao

[@masap9080]

😂😂😂

[@jeffersongrey4967]

Xd

[@jananianand9617]

Lol

[@Nagatem]

Moral of the story not all people of the cloth are holy/ have good intentions

[@ivatigerfox2548]

Nagatem LordLucemon it’s kind of like the one part of the Ramayan when Raven kidnapped Sita. Actually, there are so many similarities between those stories.

[@cleo421]

And that not all that are perceived to be "demons" are actually bad! :)

[@menib7574]

I thought it was how to teach your spouse not to get scammed

[@markusbudihermawan2786]

Until niama cannot recognise

[@loveislove2359]

I thought the moral of the story was no matter how humble your background is (like a snake) if you choose to be good and do good deeds, good things will happen to you. Same if you're from a highly respected background (the monk) but have bad intentions and harm other people, you won't be blessed or succeed in life. Oh and "love conquer all".

[@JKCWvids]

the Monk; original Karen of the eastern culture.

[@eatyourrice9334]

George He Edits goddamit karen.

[@calvintuano557]

Karen took my mom! LOL

[@anushka297]

LMAO

[@ilikemetoo3088]

Exactly

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

Ohh yes

[@koobokobe2574]

When your mom fakes her death so you can get a good grade on the SAT

[@Hilmemes669]

Koobo Kobe Parenting 1000

[@chelseashamim9148]

Koobo Kobe 😂

[@LOLLOL-xw8zq]

Parenting IQ over 9000

[@rshua]

Legendary comment

[@MC_lupin]

Dude XD

[@duchi882]

*"Shrimp soldiers and Crab Generals"* Chinese Myths be cracking

[@SeaSon7ary]

“蝦兵蟹將”, they're popular in all kinds of Chinese mythical stories without reasons lol

[@stanislawwitkowicz918]

@UCGsj0DejP0bFVWB9gVdLw6A That's... not actually a myth, you know?

[@YoungTheFish]

They sound lame doesn't it? The Chinese thought so, too. The idiom is used to refer to lame henchmen.

[@sebastianelytron8450]

Chinese have a wicked sense of humor

[@stanislawwitkowicz918]

@@YoungTheFish Really? For me they sounded cool! Well, it does explain why Bai Su Zhen summoned them in desperation...

[@ultmationnation]

Immortal snake: **EXISTS** Monk: I'm gonna end this serpents' whole career

[@DiorskiePrepossessing]

@Shirley Timple It's a meme which can be used by everyone.

[@ultmationnation]

@Shirley Timple Ahh it's a boomer that thinks anything after their gen is hogwash

[@captainstark5496]

Yatooo

[@ultmationnation]

@@captainstark5496 Odd jobs for 5¥ right here!

[@hansellancephilippe4075]

True!

[@zuko1569]

What if you want to see your wife again but the monk says: _"She will be free when the iron tree blooms"_

[@alephnull423]

Haha

[@takayanagi-senseissurprise2104]

Zuzu I can see you Everywhere! 🙀😮😯

[@cutiemary]

Oh god! @Zuzu I see you everywhere!

[@DailyLunchRecipes]

Hahaha, maybe it’s because you guys are everywhere not @Zuzu. xD

[@ultimaxkom8728]

@Yilin 321 Or both.

[@ThePopushi]

Her pronunciation is so *CRISPY* It's perfect. I'm really happy that they deliberately chose someone who can give names their proper tribute by pronunciation.

[@jaytubing607]

I agree so much!

[@tcjgaming9813]

i sometimes forget how good these pronounciations are, they are pretty good

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

Respect such culture and language

[@cindica1106]

Aw yeah, more accurate pronunciations from TED-Ed

[@ilikememes1402]

because the person who talks at the video is Chinese and props to her for doing a good job

[@atrudokht]

Fluent in both English and Chinese. What a great blessing.

[@josephm.6453]

I think that's pen pen chin narrating

[@ItsGroundhogDay]

Meh. It's like when people roll their r's when speaking English.

[@vuldrae1638]

IKR

[@171QA]

Fun fact: In some retellings that meddlesome monk was secretly a crab demon that was jealous of the white snake’s immortality and was only pretending to be a monk to get back at her. Once his deception was found out he reverted back to a crab and since then crab meat has always been orange on the inside because it matched the color of Buddhist Monk robes.

[@s2lLandals2]

that makes so much sense omg

[@Solarblossom2238]

A normal guy gets with a snake demon and his snake wife gives birth to a God. Sounds pretty accurate.

[@dokyotieeeest1724]

ohh, get lost sauce gæ

[@hunterowl1756]

Makes as much sense as Greeks mythical family tree.

[@Borderose]

Sounds like a romcom anime plot.

[@asiastella6876]

sounds like Jojo part 9

[@loveislove2359]

@@hunterowl1756 it makes perfect sense if you understand Buddhism, the concept of karma, reincarnation, nirvana and all that. It basically says all living things if they improve themselves and do good, they can have good karma, and be enlighten to the point they can transcend their limitations (even physical form). Like, the concept of "God" in Asian culture is different than in western cultures, God is within us, not above us, we can all be God (your higher self) .

[@graced4844]

bai su zhen: babe, i’m an immortal snake. also i’m pregnant. xu xian: ok that’s cool i guess fa hai: fa hai: *_um EXCUSE ME_*

[@MC_lupin]

For a monk who’s supposed to retreat from mortal affairs, he sure is nosy *racism to snakes maybe*

[@Viberaterz]

Speciest?

[@Acroflame]

Maybe they bit him when he was younger

[@eworldly]

Don't you just hate it when religious figures tell you who you can and can't marry 🤔

[@MC_lupin]

Tig Manzueta technically nobody can tell you what to do or not do irl. You “do what you are told” only if you agree with, or fear the person making that statement

[@eworldly]

@@MC_lupin My point exactly. As shown in the story above their family could not be kept apart in face of misguided interference justified by religious righteousness. I'm so glad you understand 😉

[@2hedz77]

So was the moral of the story: get good grades and you get a cool hat and save your mom? The origen of Chinese work ethic.

[@arunsooknarine4738]

Omg 💀💀💀

[@thisisthewronghat2706]

the accuracy!

[@AndroCubed]

The Chinese school system in a single sentence

[@Eris0123]

No no and also dont belive that monk who tried to kill you and your wife more than one time

[@user-qg8mp7vm5l]

In fact, this is a metaphor. In Chinese culture, hats imply official positions. This means that even the cycads could bloom when they passed the exam well and gained power. It's a bit like money can turn ghosts around

[@hanhvan4481]

*it flew to Bai Su Zhen's head and trapped her inside* . Is this a *poke ball* ?

[@andresmarrero8666]

Primitive prototype of the concept a million times removed.

[@Acroflame]

Congratulations! *You caught an immortal white snake demon*

[@alexdhamp]

Go, Bai Suzhen! I choose you! Catch Xiao Qing for the Snake Sisters set... XD

[@4evarwithU]

You mean it's a poke bowl

[@solaireofastora3811]

No its a poke bowl

[@annab5734]

I'm really enjoying these International myths. I've been using them to compare and contrast with my 4th graders. They are enjoying them too and several are loving the artwork.

[@GinTeaLeaves]

Shi Lin: *gets the highest score on the SAT* Emperor: aight here’s a neat-lookin’ hat

[@barbiquearea]

Hats back then denoted your rank and authority in the imperial administration.

[@diamondknyfe3900]

If u pause it right it also looks like a chainsaw

[@FloorPills]

Graduation basically

[@ChogeRandom]

That’s china for ya

[@himanshubhushandubey6446]

Tbh I would be motivated AF to perform good on tests if a dope hat was on stake.

[@Grabunhold]

they could have been a loving wholesome family, if it wasn't for that damn meddling monk

[@alexdhamp]

@Tesuya kinko No, Snake didn't steal it...Monk was actually a jealous Turtle that didn't get to get the immortality pill. He resented Snake for getting it instead of him and so sought revenge when he took the form of Monk Fahai.

[@hazeygrace8122]

@@alexdhamp for real? Where can I find this information

[@alexdhamp]

@@hazeygrace8122 Look up more indepth information on the Legend of the White Snake. It's all over when you find the stories and myths and such.

[@letsomethingshine]

Jealous turtle or not, he was still a mean monk!

[@bodyofamanspiritofabeast7130]

@@alexdhamp I've heard of a turtle in china or somewhere , is it the turtle of war or something like that I'm confused.

[@TheGrimest]

Summoning Shrimp soldiers and Crab Generals....as you do... but for real her husband is so damn incompetent its down right hilarious xD

[@eronskpopclassroom7041]

He literally dies from just *seeing* her snake form, allows the monk to ruin his marital life, does everything the monk tells him to (suspicious wine, ceremony, bowl etc.) and his stupidity is the cause of everything bad that happens to them HAHAH Thank goodness their son was intelligent!!

[@alexdhamp]

@@eronskpopclassroom7041 Son took after his mother... XD

[@jiggilababiggilaguy629]

he was a successful herbist person thing tho he just wasnt skilled in the demon and monk department lol

[@maesarillana5740]

The husband fears the misfortunes his wife could bring when in fact he is the one whose bringing the misfortune in their home. And yeah, he isn't a Herbist. His wife gave some essence to the rotten leaves and that gave them fortune.

[@fluffycat1293]

In many chinese myths, often it’s the guy who’s useless 😂😂

[@u06jo3vmp]

BTW, the "iron tree" is not a tree made of iron. It's a kind of tree called sago palm in English. Sago palms don't have a regular blooming period, and may not blossom for decades. Although in some places they do blossom annually.

[@RiannaPeterson]

THANK YOU

[@pvvineet1722]

Thank you Ted Ed for educating us on anything and everything

[@Losshe]

This is one of the most well known Chinese folk tales in China. It's been brought to screen as TV dramas, movies, cartoons many many times(the drama alone has about 10 different remakes throughout the years), and even long before TV existed it was a popular subject in Chinese operas. Thanks Ted Ed for covering this tale. I'm Chinese who grew up overseas. Recently I've been rediscovering Chinese culture, and the more I read about it the more I'm fascinated by it's richness, wisdom and humour. I wish to share more of it with the world

[@coolkelpie]

I love how their child just came falling from the ceiling 😂 1:48

[@jayhanenarin6980]

A very accurate presentation of "A gift from heaven"😂😂

[@Giyu____Tomioka]

Ikr

[@TheGiantTiger]

I thought for a split second that the emperor was throwing him a chainsaw 3:09 Duck and cover young man!!!

[@riatortilla9906]

Random Thoughts YA YEEEETTTTT

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

HAHAHAHAHA LOL!=!

[@riatortilla9906]

Dreams & Teddy Bears my thoughts exactly. Also *YAAAAAAA YEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTT*

[@dreamsteddybearsmaster]

@@riatortilla9906 Honestly this thread is making me laugh out loud. I know its not meant to be funny but everything is thrown around or falls from the sky; the hat, the bowl and even the kid. Maybe since he's a God he didn't get any brain damage cause tossing an infant like that is bound to do some damage

[@loveislove2359]

@@dreamsteddybearsmaster it was intentional, the animator was trying to be funny.

[@ezip8564]

The thrilling second installment of Ted-Ed’s White Snake series.

[@frisbeeeater]

Kawaii Ghost ._. LOL

[@IllusionQueen4Eva]

I love how the animation made the baby just fall from the sky 😂 "Shrimp soldiers and crab generals" OMG I can't believe you actually added that idiom in there XDD

[@alexdhamp]

Those shrimp soldiers and crab generals where water spirits/demons.

[@cottonfloss7951]

Monk: *tries to trap/kill snake multiple times* Husband: Wow! I should totally trust him.

[@martezosunde]

Moral of the story: Don't let a creep ruin your life and family.

[@user-yv2qr4xt9]

I loved this tale, thank you TED-Ed for bringing this to so many. Please do more... I wanted the misguided monk to get his come-uppance! 🙏

[@Gunganfan]

I think the fact what he thought was certain victory turned into a humiliating defeat is comeuppance enough. To say nothing of the fact that when he dies, he'll have to explain WHY he continuously attacked the parents of the wisdom god's reincarnation.

[@user-yv2qr4xt9]

@@Gunganfan True... but perhaps if we'd seen his humiliation in coming to terms with his defeat I wouldn't have posted that comment. His reaction would have balanced the resolution of the story for me. Just my opinion 🙂

[@arjitdwivedi7062]

Medieval Monk - I have to catch this white very rare demonic snake... . . . . . Steve Irwin - *let me introduce myself*

[@andresmarrero8666]

Even though she is the opposite of demonic.

[@arjitdwivedi7062]

@@andresmarrero8666 yeah

[@peacebro9859]

Lol

[@og_bhaiyu]

Explain this?

[@peacebro9859]

@@og_bhaiyu ... Just google steve irwin.. Then youll know it...

[@Maljurok]

Moral of this story: "Some of the worst things to happen came from the best of intentions." - Ian Malcom, Jurassic Park.

[@Berries20]

Monk needs to *_LEAVE THIS HAPPY COUPLE ALONE_*

[@meshwa-mitsuki-soni3125]

Okay but can we talk about how nicely the Chinese names are pronounced? It's so satisfying to listen to. TED really does have the best narrators as well as animators.

[@AccentedCinema]

Meanwhile, some Chinese folks like me have an annoying song playing in their head in repeat...

[@totalme302]

Isn't youtube banned there?

[@ashlyngoh4642]

@@totalme302 I believe Chinese nationals can still access KZbin if they install some software. And not all Chinese are from China too

[@wenx5111]

QIAN NIAN DENG YI HUI AHHHH DENG YI HUI AHHHH ^^ if you know you know

[@krstglsm]

Xueeee hua piao piaooo Bei feng xiao xiaooo Tian di yi pian cang maaanggg Aiiiiiii wo suo ai wu yuan wu huiiiiii

[@mmml4602]

法海你不懂爱。。。

[@jacobandrews2663]

I think it's interesting how even this far back, you can see the importance of Education in Chinese culture, and how that has been so relevant for so much time and it's so well-known, that it's even become a known stereotype of these peoples worldwide

[@confused1637]

Cliffhanger no more!! Thank you for the second part!

[@sudipdas410]

TED- Ed, a channel worth subscribing to ❤❤.

[@thatoneweebwholikesbread8138]

Her pronunciation was so on point XDD I swear when she got to the names, I thought she was gonna butcher it but when she said the names, I freaked tf out

[@trapham300]

There have been a lot of dramas and movies about this myth but I've never been able to watch the whole thing. Thanks Ted-Ed for this short but informative video

[@nitinrangarajan7809]

Love the animations on this one :D Thank you TED-Ed.

[@charlenedevera4139]

dont yall just love it when yall summon sum crabs and shrimps to fight yall enemy 😍

[@JDPewPewPew]

This is a beautiful story. And that monk needs to stop!

[@miaomiaochan]

Thanks for sharing this beautifully-animated tale from Chinese mythology! It's never a bad day when I learn something new about the culture of my ancestral homeland.

[@ansonhu5997]

You know this video is high quality when they pronounce the name correctly

[@koenoe2596]

I learn more history from these videos (and with actual interest!!) than from my biased lessons in school. Thank you so much TED-Ed!!

[@StarBoundFables]

Part 1 & Part 2 were both stunningly beautiful. Thank you for creating this wonderful edutainment 🙏🏽

[@HistorySkills]

We definitely need more history content from TED-Ed.

[@GaysianAmerican]

"Dynastic Tribune: Reincarnation of Wisdom god breaks test curve, civil service eaxaminees furious."

[@user-Void-Star]

Son is not God.

[@GaysianAmerican]

@@user-Void-Star god not God

[@user-Void-Star]

@@GaysianAmerican he is buddhisattva manjushri not god

[@GaysianAmerican]

@@user-Void-Star submit that Ted Ed. I just told a joke using their words.

[@hermescarraro3393]

@@user-Void-Star One question. Is it correct to compare buddhisattvas to saints?

[@nina_qt2026]

The art in this video is absolutely stunning! Keep up the great work animations/ animator

[@marina2783]

shoutout for the amazing pronunciation and animation! i love ted ed’s works and it should be appreciated

[@eoarwyn]

Cracked up at the animation showing the baby being passed around like a ball 🤣 I enjoyed the whole story, thank you.

[@zeynepgurhan7149]

This video is just marvelous! Thanks for the second part!

[@colleen9493]

I love how this was like a part two for the other one they made.

[@daniellezykowska981]

Thank you so much for posting the animation style is so beautiful!

[@user-cy5ms6di5x]

Appearance does not always certainly reflect character. Thank you TedEd for these wonderful stories.

[@SanguiniCore]

Monk: "She will be free when the iron tree blooms-" *xu xian breaks kneecaps* Monk: "..." Xu Xian: "That's for trapping my wife in a hecking bowl."

[@markhenry6767]

You made us wait a while, but it was definitely worth it. Thanks TED-ED.

[@riyadhislam2770]

Ah..finally..took you long enough but I'm happy you made another mythic..The pronunciation is so accurate & the stories are so beautifully presented.. please keep up the good work & make more mythic videos..waiting for more

[@luigi-1545]

I love the little music piece at the end! Makes me feel calm.

[@derekmijangos9071]

I love myths with happy endings! There aren't nearly enough of them.

[@samueltan9169]

Great story, Great animation! Good job Ted Ed!

[@srinivasapavan4566]

Liking this series so far. Good job on your animation and vocals, you guys got a permanent Subscriber.

[@murtaza1323]

Inarguably one of the best utube channel

[@ninetiesangel7337]

Monk: Killed Xu Xian. Threw fire at Bai Su Zhen. Tried to capture Bai Su Zhen. Fed infected wine to Bai Su Zhen. * Offers some shady bowl * Xu Xian: Thanks man, I trust you.

[@phebstherandomchannel8109]

Ah yes the ceiling has given birth 1:41

[@Giyu____Tomioka]

Ikr😂😂

[@angeloli8155]

Great, thank you for making this!

[@laykashing9576]

Love your videos Ted Ed

[@windseekervideo]

"I wish we could be trees deep in the mountains, touching, twining limb around limb" Uh....is this translated from "在地願做連理枝 "?

[@enzegao3121]

It's the translation of "愿作深山木，枝枝连理生", from 《长相思》（Love Long-Enduring）

[@me-kb2db]

I watched this story as a kid! I think the movie was called Hakujaden or Panda and the White Serpent

[@yakunhu7759]

Great video all around!

[@jennytam9704]

Please continue this series!

[@overcookedwater1947]

*"...And I wouldn't have been in so much trouble if it wasn't for you, meddling monk!"*

[@Howlsprincess]

In India there is a concept of "icchadhari naagin" which literally translates into "snakes who can take on any form they wish" as naagin is the Hindi word for snake. It's fascinating how myths and folk lores of different cultures are so similar.

[@rabor2]

in wiki of chinese-version, some added more different stories mention about the snake girl, in past over 800 years maybe... can not sure if the origin version were from India (or about buddha books). maybe that was mixed in several different stories. (i dont know if 800y ago that old buddha books also told India story?)

[@jk3jk35]

The Silk Road!

[@david_oliveira71]

Wow, really like this story/myth. Thank you

[@iyunganam3885]

The sequel I've been waiting for

[@equinox-XVI]

This needs to be a full series, they're so good!

[@cynicalcenobia]

Love this! Would also love to see Chaucer's Book of the Duchess & more medieval tales, pls! :)

[@rural69games58]

I was waiting for this since last episode >

[@srinidevabhaktuni4162]

Nice 😎👍 Thank you Ted ed ☺

[@fanofeverything7605]

I love Ted Eds videos especially the myths one they tell us about different and unique things which people believe in

[@celula1395]

In memory of a comment from part one: Guy: trust your wife Also guy: bring a bowl in your house from a monk that nearly killed your wife

[@emptysketches124]

Very well made!

[@isaiahwolftail867]

I love these so much love these animated stories of legend and myth. And the stories of everything beginning.

[@mikinguyen5046]

Woah! The animation and the pronunciations are AMAZING!!!

[@Dragonvalley58]

Clearly Chinese American narrating

[@pritipitale3304]

Okay wow it's been only 2 minutes Thanks for the awesome videos Ted- Ed I like the Greek mythology vids the best

[@hsryu5569]

Every video is explained so well!

[@murenongnegro2403]

Thank you for correcting the story!

[@justagirl6316]

The real villian of the story is the idiocy of the husband. Goes to the monastery to the monk who almost killed him, proceeds to again trust the SAME monk, entraps his wife and abandons his son. Smh.

[@phos9580]

that monk should just stay out of anyone's business

[@dalelange5406]

Asian mythology is the best mythology. With such a long, rich and diverse history, they have taken the art of storytelling to new levels. They have taken the wisdom in the stories to new levels, and the peace in our existance to new levels.

[@markoslamnik2812]

I just can't stop watching these great videos :D!!!!!!

[@ashuthoshbharadwaj6703]

Top 10 historic anime battles from the other side of the Senkaku Islands.

[@dramforever]

3:39 Top ten ... ancient Chinese plot twists

[@Prisoner4011]

This was one of my favorite legend tales growing up! 😌

[@winterfox6930]

Really like this new ted ee series

[@user-fw9nk5xl5v]

Guess whos gonna binge watch this series

[@chumaktv5386]

Monk trying to manipulate and kill others: is fine Snake lady who cured people of plague defending herself : lost divine grace

[@garlic7330]

Ted- Uploads video which isn’t related to my upcoming French test. Me- *Clicks*

[@joshuajwars4271]

Wow that’s awesome so what started out as a love story with death turned on it’s head to being a renewed love story 10/10.