After reading Strange Tales from Liaozhai Studio: The Painted Wall (The Mural), many may wonder: did the temple mural physically change? Zhu Juren (Zhu Xiaolian) insists the celestial maiden’s hairstyle transformed–from a maiden’s coiffure to a matron’s bun–after his journey into the painting.
Zhu Juliren’s Perspective: Shifting Realities
To Zhu, the mural visibly altered:
- He initially observes the maiden’s youthful hairstyle.
- After entering the painted world and experiencing an erotic adventure, he returns to find her hair styled as a married woman’s.
His narrative blurs boundaries: reality and fantasy converge, human and divine realms separated only by a canvas.
The Old Monk’s Perspective: Mind Over Matter
The monk denies any physical change:
When questioned, he smiles: “Illusions arise from the mind–how could I explain it?”
Amazed, Zhu bowed before the old monk and asked why this was so, to which the old monk replied with a laugh, “Illusion is born in the mind. How can a poor monk like me give you an explanation?”
He asserts the “transformation” existed solely in Zhu’s consciousness, a projection of his desires.
The monk’s wisdom reflects Buddhist philosophy: “All phenomena arise from the mind”. Temptation is not external but an internal revelation of craving; liberation lies in mastering one’s heart, not altering illusions.
The Celestial Maiden’s Hairstyle
As for the celestial maiden’s hairstyle–was it truly that of a maiden or a matron?
From the monk’s perspective, the maiden likely always wore a matron’s bun. The initial description of her youthful hairstyle was definitely seen through Zhu Juliren’s subjective eyes; the later observation, however, was made by all three observers (Zhu, Meng Longtan, and the monk) collectively.
Ultimately, this question holds little significance. Whether styled as a maiden’s coiffure or a matron’s bun, the hairstyle does not alter the story’s unfolding or its core message. The true focus remains on the tale’s exploration of illusion born from desire and the mind’s power to reshape reality.
Pu Songling’s Deeper Message
Through the “changing mural,” Pu Songling:
- Embodies the Buddhist tenet that reality is mind-dependent.
- Deconstructs the line between “real” and “unreal” using a secular tale.
- Urges readers to “guard the true mind”–core to Liaozhai’s genius: “using ghosts/foxes to mirror human life, fantasy to expose the human heart.”
Leave a Reply