The author of "Strange Tales" says: All illusions are born from the human mind, as is commonly said by those who follow the Dao. When one harbors lustful thoughts, impure visions arise; when one harbors irreverent thoughts, terrifying visions appear. Bodhisattvas use illusions to enlighten the ignorant, making them experience various illusory realms, all of which are born from their own minds. The monk, with a compassionate heart, earnestly advises, yet it is unfortunate that the ignorant fail to fully comprehend the message and seek refuge in the mountains for their cultivation.
According to Buddhist teachings, everything in the world is illusory and unreal. "All forms are illusions." All illusions are born from the human mind. While this may be true, it must be tested through practice. How can this be tested? Many novelists who believe in Buddhist teachings create stories in which the protagonists personally experience such illusions, crossing over into another realm to witness that "when falsehood is taken for truth, truth also becomes false, and where there is nothing, something appears." Cao Xueqin's "Grand Illusion" is an example of this, and Pu Songling's "The Painted Wall" is another.
Although "The Painted Wall" aims to illustrate the concept that "illusions are born from the human mind," the romantic story is captivating and enchanting: the beautiful, tender-haired maiden, "smiling while holding a flower, her cherry lips about to move, her affectionate eyes brimming with emotion"; her playful, loving companions teasing her: "Your child must be so big already, yet you still wear your hair loose like a maiden?" The scene is vibrant and full of life, leaving a deep impression with only a few strokes of the pen.
Perhaps Pu Songling's true intent was indeed to convey the idea that "illusions are born from the human mind," but this message is far less impactful than the story itself, giving the reader the feeling of "admonishing with a hundred praises and one criticism."
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