Original Text
In Changqing there lived an old monk of lofty virtue and pure conduct, who at over eighty years of age still possessed a robust and vigorous body. One day, he suddenly fell and could not rise, and by the time the other monks in the temple rushed to rescue him, he had already passed into nirvana. The old monk, unaware that he was dead, felt his soul drift ethereally away from his body and travel to the region of Henan. In Henan, the son of a former official and gentleman was leading a dozen or so men on horseback, flying falcons to hunt wild hares. Suddenly, his horse bolted in fright and galloped wildly, throwing the young master to the ground, where he died instantly. The old monk's soul happened to wander to that very spot and abruptly merged with the corpse, whereupon it gradually revived. The servants gathered around to question him, but he opened his eyes and said, "How did I come to be here?" The crowd helped him back home. As soon as he entered the gate, many heavily powdered and richly adorned women came forward to inquire after him and offer their greetings. Startled, he exclaimed, "I am a monk! How have I ended up here?" His family thought he was raving and earnestly tried to reason with him to bring him to his senses. He no longer bothered to explain himself but simply closed his eyes and remained silent. When the family served him food, he would only eat coarse rice, refusing all wine and meat. At night, he slept alone and would not allow his wives or concubines to attend him.
A few days later, he suddenly felt a desire to go out for a stroll, and everyone was delighted. Once outside, he had barely settled into a brief calm when numerous stewards and servants crowded forward, presenting various matters of silver receipts, expenditures, and account ledgers for his approval. Using his prolonged illness and fatigue as an excuse, he declined to handle them, only asking, "Do you know of Changqing County in Shandong?" The crowd replied in unison, "We do." He said, "My heart is oppressed with boredom, and I wish to travel there; hasten to prepare the luggage." They tried to dissuade him, saying his illness had just recovered and he should not venture far, but he would not listen. The next day they set out. Upon reaching Changqing County, he saw that the scenery and sights were still as before, and without even asking the way, he went straight to the temple. There, his former disciples, seeing an honored guest arrive, came forward with utmost respect to greet him. He asked, "Where has the old monk gone?" The monks replied, "Our master has already passed into nirvana." He then inquired about the location of the old monk's grave, and they led him there, where a solitary mound stood three feet high, the wild grass upon it not yet fully grown. The monks had no idea what he meant. After viewing the grave, he ordered his horse prepared for the return journey, and before leaving, he instructed, "Your master was a monk who strictly observed the Buddhist precepts; preserve his manuscripts and relics with care, and do not let them be damaged." The monks all nodded in agreement. Then he departed. Once back home, he sat like withered wood or dead ashes, spending his days in silent meditation, paying no heed whatsoever to household affairs.
After another few months of residence, he secretly slipped out and went directly to the old temple. He said to the disciples, "I am your master." They all suspected he was raving and exchanged glances with smiles. Then he recounted the circumstances of his soul's return and spoke of the old monk's deeds during his lifetime, each detail matching the facts exactly. Only then did they believe him, inviting him to stay in his former sleeping quarters and serving him as before. Later, the son's family repeatedly sent carriages and begged him to return, but he paid them no heed at all. After another year or more, the son's wife dispatched capable servants bearing many gifts. He refused gold, silver, and silks, accepting only a single cloth robe. Sometimes, when the son's friends came to his village, they would respectfully visit him. They found him taciturn, simple, and sincere, only thirty years of age, yet he often spoke of events from over eighty years past.
The Chronicler of Strange Tales remarks: When a person dies, their soul disperses; that this monk's soul could drift a thousand miles without dissipating is due to the steadfastness of his mind. I am not astonished that he died and returned to life, but rather that upon arriving in a place of wealth and splendor, he still could reject others and shun worldly temptations. For an ordinary person, to attain such fleeting pleasures of a luxurious life in the blink of an eye would surely be a coveted blessing worth dying for—how much more so for a monk enduring bitter asceticism!
Commentary
From the perspective of its narrative motif, this is a tale of reanimation through a borrowed corpse. Since the Tang dynasty's chuanqi tales, there have been many such stories in fiction. This piece is heavily imbued with religious overtones, recounting how an old monk of lofty virtue from Changqing County in Shandong, after passing into nirvana, has his soul attach itself to the newly deceased body of a scion of a wealthy family in Henan, thereby being reborn. From then on, he dwells amidst powdered faces and painted brows, amid splendor and wealth. Yet his resolve remains steadfast, never forgetting the precepts of Buddhism, and ultimately he casts off the clamor of the mundane world, returning to his temple in Changqing County to cultivate purity in tranquility. However, this is not merely a simple tale of reanimation through a borrowed corpse in the ordinary sense; it can also be regarded as a work rich in educational significance—depicting a man who aspires to study Buddhism, whose will is firm, unaffected by life and death, undisturbed by worldly vanities, and who completes his spiritual discipline in silent sincerity. This is the new meaning that Pu Songling has bestowed upon such tales.
In his commentary, Pu Songling wrote, "When a person dies, their soul scatters; yet if it travels a thousand miles without dispersing, it is because their nature is steadfast." By "steadfast nature," he means that after setting a goal, one remains unwavering, courageous, and persistent, never compromising or faltering, holding firm to the end. At times, Pu Songling used terms like "obsessed nature" or "concentrated will" to convey the same idea, believing that only through steadfastness, obsession, and concentration could one achieve success in their endeavors. In the tale of A Bao, he stated, "When one is obsessed in nature, their will becomes concentrated; thus, one obsessed with books will surely excel in writing, and one obsessed with art will surely master their craft. Those who drift through life without accomplishment are all those who claim not to be obsessed." In this sense, The Monk of Changqing serves merely as a religious example of Pu Songling's advocacy for steadfastness, obsession, and concentration of will.