Original Text
Li Xiangxian was a notable figure from Shouguang County. In his previous life, he was a cook-monk at a certain temple who passed away while sitting in meditation without any illness. His soul drifted out, landed atop a memorial archway, and looked down at the bustling market below, observing that every passerby had a flame rising from the crown of their head—this was likely the yang energy within their bodies. As dusk fell, he realized he could not remain on the archway forever, but many houses were dark and he knew not where to go. Only one household still had a lamp burning, so his soul drifted toward it. The moment he entered the door, his body had already transformed into an infant, and his mother offered him her breast. At the sight of her breast, he felt great terror, but his hunger was unbearable, so he closed his eyes and forced himself to suckle. After three months, he no longer desired milk; whenever his mother tried to nurse him, he would cry out in fright. She then fed him rice gruel mixed with dates and chestnuts, and thus he grew to adulthood. This man was Li Xiangxian. In his youth, when he visited that temple, he could still call the monks there by their names. He remained afraid of milk until his old age.
The Chronicler of Strange Tales remarks: Li Xiangxian was a man of profound learning, a person of noble character from the eastern seas to Mount Tai. His son attained official rank at an early age, yet remained a mere scholar all his life—perhaps this is what the Buddhists call "unfulfilled karmic blessings"? Li Xiangxian's younger brother was also a man of renown. From birth, he suffered from an unspeakable ailment: his lustful urges would arise only once every few months. Whenever desire stirred, he would hastily rise, disregarding any guests present, and rush from the outer hall toward the inner chambers, shouting as he went, causing all maids and servant women to flee. Yet, no sooner had he reached the threshold of the bedchamber than his passion subsided, and he would turn back without entering, returning to the outside. Truly, these two brothers were extraordinary men!
Commentary
This chapter's main text and the "Historian of the Strange's commentary" respectively record the former life and present life stories of Li Xiangxian, a notable figure from Shouguang County. The former life is the primary focus, documenting his peculiar trait of "still fearing milk even in old age," while the "Historian of the Strange's commentary" supplements the present life and narrates that his younger brother also "had a hidden ailment from birth," echoing Li Xiangxian's physical oddities.
The tales of past and present lives are interwoven with the Buddhist concept of karmic retribution and reincarnation, revealing Pu Songling's belief in the existence of the cycle of rebirth.