西天 (Xītiān): the Western Paradise (Buddhism)

Meanings

唐僧师徒四人去西天取经。

Tángsēng shī tú sì rén qù Xītiān qǔjīng.

The monk Xuanzang and his three disciples went to the Western Paradise to fetch scriptures.

他差点被送上西天。

Tā chàdiǎn bèi sòng shàng Xītiān.

He was nearly sent to meet his maker.

culture

In Buddhism, 西天 refers to the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha in the west. Colloquially, 上西天 means 'to die'.

西游记 Xīyóujì

Journey to the West

Classic Chinese novel about the pilgrimage to the Western Paradise

西 xī

天 tiān