Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Volume 11 (Human Figures)

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Fei Changfang

original: "費長房"

Fei Changfang was a native of Runan A region in modern-day Henan Province.. He once served as a market official shiyuan: A low-ranking administrative assistant responsible for maintaining order and managing transactions in the local marketplace.. At that time, there was an old man who sold medicine in the market. He kept a single gourd original: 壺 hu. While the text uses the word for "pot" or "flask," Daoist tradition identifies this as a gourd, symbolizing a "grotto-heaven" or a miniature universe contained within a small vessel. hanging at the front of his stall.

When the market business was finished, the old man would suddenly leap into the gourd. None of the people in the market saw him do this; only Changfang, watching from an upper story, witnessed it. Marvelling at the sight, he went to the old man and bowed twice. The old man said, "Come again tomorrow."

The next day, Changfang indeed went to him. The old man then brought him along as they both entered the gourd together. Inside, they saw jade halls of great splendor and elegance, filled with an abundance of fine wines and delicious meats. After they had finished drinking together, they emerged. The old man warned him, "You must not speak of this to anyone."

Later, the old man came to Changfang’s upper room and said, "I am an immortal A transcendent being who has achieved spiritual perfection and supernatural powers through Daoist cultivation.. Because of a past transgression, I was sent here as punishment. Now that my duty is finished, I must depart. Would you be willing to follow me?"

Changfang’s heart desired to seek the Way Dao: The ultimate reality and path of spiritual mastery in Chinese philosophy., but he was worried about his family. Knowing this, the old man cut a stalk of green bamboo and had it hung behind the house. To his family, the bamboo appeared to be Changfang himself, as if he had hanged himself. They subsequently held a funeral and buried the remains.

While the family mourned, Changfang stood right beside them, yet no one was able to see him. He then followed the old man into the mountains, where they walked through thickets of thorns amidst packs of tigers. Even when left alone in such a place, Changfang felt no fear. Furthermore—