The use of "donkey" to refer to a monk is almost exclusively an insult, and it relies on a combination of cultural meaning, wordplay, and the physical characteristics of the monk.
1. The Core Meaning: Stubbornness and Foolishness
The primary symbolic meaning of a donkey in Chinese culture, much like in the West, is stubbornness. Calling someone a "donkey" (驴, lǘ) implies they are unreasonably obstinate, foolish, and incapable of listening to reason.
When applied to a monk, this is a deep insult. A monk is supposed to be wise, enlightened, and open to the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). To call them a "donkey" is to say they are the exact opposite: a stubborn, ignorant fool who is deaf to reason and true wisdom, despite their religious guise.
2. The Visual and Wordplay Connection: "Bald Donkey" (秃驴, Tū Lǘ)
This is where the insult becomes a classic pun. The most common form of this insult is 秃驴 (Tū Lǘ) - "Bald Donkey."
秃 (Tū) means "bald."
驴 (Lǘ) means "donkey."
This term is a direct, mocking replacement for the more respectful term for a monk, which is 秃驴 (Tū Lǘ) is a homophonic pun on a more formal term.
A formal and somewhat literary way to address a monk is 大师 (Dàshī) - "Great Master."
However, a more descriptive, neutral term is 僧侣 (Sēnglǚ) - "Monk" or "Clergy."
Do you see it? The character for "donkey" (驴, Lǘ) and the second character in "clergy" (侣, Lǚ) sound almost identical. By swapping the respectful "侣" (lǚ) for the insulting "驴" (lǘ), the speaker creates a brutal and clever pun.
So, "Bald Donkey" (秃驴, Tū Lǘ) is a punning, derogatory twist on the idea of a "bald clergy." It's a perfect storm of an insult: it mocks their physical appearance (bald head), their profession (monk), and their character (stubborn as a donkey), all in two syllables.
3. Narrative Function: Undermining Sanctimony
In Xianxia and Wuxia stories, Buddhist monks are not always holy figures. They can be:
Hypocritical: Preaching compassion while scheming for power.
Dogmatic and Inflexible: Obstinately clinging to their sect's rules to the point of injustice.
Antagonists: Directly opposing the protagonist for various reasons.
When a character (especially the protagonist) calls a monk a "bald donkey," it serves to:
Tear down their authority: It immediately strips away the monk's aura of sanctity and places them on the same level as a stubborn animal.
Show defiance: It's a clear signal that the speaker does not respect the monk or their authority.
Inject humor and vulgarity: It adds a layer of crude, street-level wit to the dialogue, making the protagonist seem more rebellious and less refined.
In a Nutshell:
Calling a monk a "donkey" is a multifaceted insult that means:
"You are not a wise master; you are a stubborn fool."
It's a pun on the word for "clergy," replacing it with "donkey."
It's visually mocking, targeting their shaved head.
It's a narrative tool to challenge religious hypocrisy and authority.