In Changqing County resided a monk of profound cultivation, a man well past seventy, yet his physique remained as robust as ever.

One day, the old monk stumbled and fell to the ground. The young novices rushed to his aid, only to find his breath entirely gone; he had already attained Nirvana.

Unaware of his own death, the old monk’s spirit drifted aimlessly, eventually arriving in the territory of Henan. Along the way, he encountered a noble young master, leading more than ten servants, astride a magnificent steed, accompanied by hunting falcons and fierce wolfhounds, all out for the hunt. Suddenly, the mount became spooked and bolted wildly, causing the young master to be thrown to the ground, meeting an unfortunate end upon impact.

The old monk's soul was caught by a gust of wind, slipping into the body of the deceased young master. The fusion was seamless, and gradually, consciousness returned. The servants crowded forward, offering respectful greetings. The old monk, utterly bewildered, inquired, "How did I arrive in this place?"

The servants, unsure how to answer, nudged and jostled one another while helping the man back toward the estate. The young master’s wives and concubines, hearing the news, adorned themselves with makeup and jewelry, rushing out one after another to offer their sweet affections. The old monk was horrified and cried out, "I am a Buddhist monk! Where am I?"

The family presumed he was speaking nonsense. They pinched his ears and tapped his head, attempting to guide and enlighten him, hoping to bring the monk back to his senses. At this juncture, the old monk began to dimly grasp the reason: he must have experienced a return of the soul into another's body. His heart groaned inwardly, yet he saw no point in arguing or explaining; he simply closed his eyes and remained silent.

The household presented him with meals—rice, meat, and a full array of vegetables and fruits. The old monk would only eat vegetarian fare, refusing to touch any meat dishes. At night, he slept alone, never allowing any wife or concubine to attend him.

Several days later, the old monk expressed a desire to take a walk outside, an idea the household readily agreed to.

Upon stepping outdoors, the servants presented him with account books detailing finances and grain stores, asking the master to review and make decisions. The old monk pleaded illness and declined to engage with them. He then asked, "Has anyone here heard of Changqing County in Shandong?"

Everyone present replied, "We have heard of it."

The old monk stated, "I wish to travel to Changqing County; please prepare my traveling necessities."

The servants demurred, saying, "The Young Master has only just recovered from a serious illness; traveling far is inadvisable."

The old monk would not listen, remaining firm in his resolve to journey afar. The servants, having no choice, reluctantly made preparations for departure. Upon reaching the borders of Changqing County, the old monk revisited familiar scenery. The landscape remained unchanged, and without needing directions, he proceeded straight toward the monastery.

The young novices, upon seeing the distinguished guest arrive, hurried out to greet him with profound reverence. The old monk asked, "Where is your master?"

The novices replied, "He passed away long ago; his body has already been cremated."

The old monk asked, "Where is the grave? Take me to see it."

The novices led the old monk there, where he saw a solitary mound, barely three feet high, with sparse, struggling weeds that had yet to cover the topsoil fully. The old monk mounted his horse, ready to return. Before departing, he cautioned the novices, "Your master maintained rigorous precepts; he was an accomplished High Monk. The books and relics he left behind must be carefully preserved; do not allow them to be damaged." Having spoken, he turned and left.

Upon returning home, the old monk’s heart felt like dead ashes. He ignored all affairs, and after more than a month passed in this manner, he slipped away, returning once more to the temple. He told the novices, "I am your master."

The novices did not believe him, merely smiling and shaking their heads. The old monk sighed deeply, recounting the entire sequence of his transmigration in meticulous detail. He recalled his life’s deeds, and every word matched the facts. At this point, the novices could no longer deny the truth. They immediately welcomed the old monk back, inviting him to rest in his former quarters, attending to him meticulously, just as before.

Later, the young master's family members visited the temple repeatedly, imploring the young lord to return home, but the old monk paid them no mind. After more than a year, the wife dispatched the steward to visit the temple, bringing great quantities of gold, silver, silk, and satin. The old monk firmly refused every offering until, finding no other way out, he accepted a single long robe as a token gesture.

The old monk spent his days practicing vegetarianism and chanting Buddhist scriptures. During this time, many acquaintances of the young master came to call. The old monk received them calmly, speaking little during these meetings. Although his outward appearance suggested he was barely thirty years old, he constantly spoke of forgotten matters from eighty years past.