Sangjie (simplified: 桑结, traditional: 桑結, pinyin: Sāngjié, jyutping: song1 git3), also known as “Lama Sangjie” (桑结喇嘛 — Sāngjié Lǎma), is a Tibetan lama who serves as a protector of the Dalai Lama in The Deer and the Cauldron. He pursues Princess Changping (九难) in search of The Sutra of Forty-two Chapters (四十二章经).
Biography
Pursuing The Sutra of Forty-two Chapters
Sangjie is the senior brother of a group of Tibetan lamas who are searching for The Sutra of Forty-two Chapters, which they believe was taken by Princess Changping. The sutra contains information about a treasure hidden by the Qing founders, making it valuable to various factions.
Sangjie leads the pursuit of Princess Changping, believing that recovering the sutra is important for Tibet and the Dalai Lama. His mission brings him into conflict with Princess Changping, Wei Xiaobao, and others who are also seeking the sutra.
Encounter with Wei Xiaobao
Sangjie encounters Wei Xiaobao during his pursuit of Princess Changping. Wei Xiaobao, using his typical blend of deception and cunning, manages to manipulate the situation to his advantage, ultimately leading to Sangjie losing an arm in one of their confrontations.
Sangjie eventually gives up one of the sutras to Wei Xiaobao after being outmaneuvered, demonstrating how even skilled and determined opponents can be defeated through cleverness rather than martial prowess.
Martial arts abilities
Sangjie is a highly skilled martial artist, particularly in Tibetan Buddhist martial arts. He practices the Great Hand Print (大手印 — Dàshǒuyìn), a powerful technique from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition that he has cultivated to a high level.
His martial arts abilities make him a formidable opponent, though his encounters with Wei Xiaobao demonstrate that skill alone is not always enough when facing someone with superior cunning and resources.
Relationship with other characters
Sangjie’s pursuit of the sutra brings him into contact with various characters including:
- Princess Changping, whom he initially pursues for the sutra
- Wei Xiaobao, who manipulates and defeats him through cunning
- Other Tibetan lamas who follow his lead in the search for the sutra
Significance
Sangjie represents the broader geopolitical context of the novel, showing how Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism are part of the complex political and religious landscape of early Qing China. His pursuit of the sutra demonstrates how various factions are competing for the same resources and information.
His character also highlights Wei Xiaobao’s ability to defeat even skilled martial artists through manipulation and cunning rather than physical prowess. The fact that Sangjie, a powerful lama, can be outmaneuvered by someone with minimal martial arts ability reinforces one of the novel’s central themes about the relationship between power, skill, and intelligence.
Sangjie’s ultimate failure to secure the sutra despite his abilities and determination serves as another example of how traditional forms of power and authority are challenged by Wei Xiaobao’s unorthodox methods.