Comments by Yi Shi:
When people die, their souls usually disperse. The fact that this monk’s soul wandered thousands of miles without disintegrating was due to the stability of his mind and spirit. What astonishes me about this monk is not his death and resurrection but his ability to reject worldly temptations and avoid the distractions of the secular world, even after arriving in a place of wealth and opulence.
For ordinary people, the chance to enjoy such luxuries—even for a fleeting moment—would be something they would eagerly embrace, even at the cost of their lives. Yet this monk, who had lived a life of austerity, was able to resist such indulgence and return to his path of quiet meditation. This is truly remarkable.
Analysis:
From its narrative structure, this is a classic “borrowed body” tale, a type of story that has appeared in many Chinese literary works since the Tang Dynasty. This particular piece, however, is imbued with strong religious overtones. It tells the story of a virtuous monk from Changqing County in Shandong, who, after attaining Nirvana, has his soul inhabit the body of a young nobleman who had recently died in Henan. Despite finding himself surrounded by the trappings of wealth and luxury, the monk remains steadfast in his devotion to Buddhist precepts, ultimately abandoning the noise of worldly life to return to his monastery and continue his spiritual practice.
Yet this story is not merely a simple tale of “borrowed body” reincarnation. It carries an educational and moral message: it portrays a person dedicated to learning and practicing Buddhism, whose unwavering determination remains unshaken by life, death, or worldly distractions. The monk’s “silent sincerity” and steadfast commitment to his spiritual goals reflect an ideal of moral and spiritual resolve.
Pu Songling comments in the "Yi Shi Says" section, “When people die, their souls disperse. Only those whose minds are stable can maintain their soul's integrity across great distances.” This “stability of mind” (性定) refers to the unwavering pursuit of a goal with determination and persistence. Pu Songling also uses terms like “obsession of the mind” (性痴) or “focused resolve” (志凝) to express the same idea, believing that success in any endeavor requires this kind of singular focus. As he writes in The Tale of Abao: “Those obsessed with books excel in writing; those obsessed with their craft perfect their skills. Those who wander aimlessly through life accomplish nothing because they lack this ‘obsession.’”
In this sense, The Monk of Changqing serves as an example of Pu Songling’s philosophy of determination and focused resolve, illustrated through a story rooted in religious ideals.
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