In folklore and mythology, stories frequently explore the interconnected themes of life, death, and rebirth. These narratives reveal the cyclical nature of existence and the intricate relationships between the living and the departed, highlighting how choices made in life resonate through generations. Through tales of ghosts and unresolved grievances, we uncover the lasting impact of our actions and the quest for redemption.
Past life grievances
During the Qing Dynasty, a wealthy family sought help for their only son, who was gravely ill. They turned to Doctor Ye Tianshi for a diagnosis. He revealed: “The pulse shows symptoms of a ghost; it cannot be treated with medicine or acupuncture.” As a result, they invited a Taoist priest from Shangfang Mountain to set up an altar and perform the necessary rituals to exorcise the ghost haunting their son.
At midnight, a chilling wind swept through the air, casting an eerie dark green hue over the candlelight on the altar. The Taoist closed his eyes, gripping his sword as if perceiving something beyond the veil.
Moments later, he brushed his robes and declared: “A demon stirs trouble; my spells can drive it away. As for past grievances, while there are ways to resolve them, the aggrieved must first desire liberation. If these matters entwine human relationships and defy heavenly principles, they cannot reach the heavenly court, no matter how fervently one worships or petitions.”
The Taoist said: “The source of this ghostly disturbance is as follows: your father left you a younger brother, and your older brother left behind two orphaned nephews. You have consumed their inheritance, leaving them with almost nothing, treating the orphaned children as strangers. Their hunger, cold, and suffering have gone unnoticed, and their cries for help have fallen on deaf ears. Your father, in pain beneath the nine springs, has complained to the underworld. In response, the officials there have issued a decree allowing him to take your son to repay the debts of grievance. While I possess spells to exorcise ghosts, I cannot intervene in a father’s claim on his son.”
Indeed, this man’s son soon died. He never had another son, leaving him with a profound sense of loss and regret. Without a son to carry on his legacy, he faced the harsh reality of his actions. To restore his family’s line, he adopted his nephew as his heir, hoping that this choice would bring some semblance of redemption for his wrongs and provide a brighter future for the child he once neglected.
A poor family’s tragic fate and the price of retribution
There once lived the owner of a well-established silk shop in Hangzhou, which had been in business for several decades. The owner, despite being over 50, harbored ill intentions.
One fateful day, a fire erupted, engulfing the shop in flames. Behind the shop lived a poor family of three who earned their living by washing clothes and relied on the side door of the silk shop for access. As the flames spread rapidly toward their home, they urgently pounded on the side door, shouting: “Open the door! Open the door!” desperately hoping to escape the inferno and save their lives.
Unexpectedly, the owner of the silk shop ordered someone to forcefully block the side door to facilitate the rescue of his goods, refusing to open it for the desperate family. Once the goods were moved and the fire was extinguished, it was tragically revealed that the entire poor family had perished in the flames.
A year later, the owner of the silk shop suddenly passed away. One night, he appeared in a dream to his son, revealing: “I caused the death of the poor family; the underworld has forbidden me from being reborn as a human, forcing me to enter a pig’s womb. I have already been born on a certain farm, where I am one of four piglets — look for the one with spots; that is me. If you want to save me from slaughter, you must buy me from the farmer.” As he spoke, tears streamed down his face.
Upon waking from the dream, the owner’s son was struck by its vividness and decided to follow the address he had been given. Indeed, he found a farmer who had just welcomed four piglets to the world, one of which had spots. When the little pig saw the son, it cried out pitifully, appearing to beg for help.
The owner’s son brought the piglet home and prepared a special room, hiring servants to care for its needs. He bathed the piglet daily and fed it the finest foods, treating it with the reverence he would have shown to his biological father. Knowing his father had enjoyed tobacco and alcohol, the son offered the piglet cigarettes and wine, indulging in the ritual at every meal until his face turned red. The servants would carefully place a pipe in the pig’s mouth, and it inhaled happily, seemingly reveling in the indulgence and the attention it received.
Years passed, and the pig once again appeared in a dream to the son, saying: “I committed terrible sins in my previous life. Since I have been reincarnated as livestock, indulging in human pleasures will only deepen my sins! From now on, please refrain from giving me tobacco and alcohol, and do not bathe me. Just feed me rice. Change this immediately! Remember my words!” The son quickly vowed to comply with the pig’s request.
This incident garnered significant attention throughout the city and was featured on the sixth page of the news report on April 1, 1928, as recorded by Ni Yaomei from Xiaoshan. It captured the public’s imagination, sparking discussions about redemption and the repercussions of one’s actions across lifetimes. Ultimately, it left a lasting impression, serving as a powerful cautionary tale about the consequences of one’s choices in life.
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Tatiana Denning
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