ExclusiveTraditional Chinese Tales: The Story of Ruan Ji Practicing the Tao

The story of Ruan Ji practicing the Tao. Ruan Ji was from Henan province. In the 7th year of Jiande era of Emperor Wu, during northern and southern dynasties, Ruan Ji went to Wangwu mountain to hunt bears. He saw a Taoist sitting under a pine tree, whose appearance and demeanor were quite peculiar. Ruan threw away his bow and arrows and knelt down to greet the Taoist. The Taoist told Ruan to first visit his Taoist temple. Suddenly, a boy emerged from the mountain rocks and led Ruan to the temple gate. The temple's pavilions and halls were magnificent and splendid, decorated with gold and jade. The ground was paved with blue glazed tiles. Rows of trees lined the path, laden with bright red fruit. A gentle breeze rustled the trees, making a crisp sound. Ruan stood before the gate, feeling a sense of unease. He bowed to the boy and returned to the Taoist. The Taoist smiled and asked, didn't you dare go into the Taoist temple? Ruan replied, I am just an ordinary mortal. I didn't understand the mysteries of Taoism before. Today, I suddenly saw heaven. Overjoyed, I am at a loss. I beg you, the immortal master, to have great compassion and save me from the turbid world. The Taoist said, you are a person burdened with heavy things. Because of a karmic connection with me in your past life, you were able to meet me. Your lifespan is coming to an end. What do you plan to do? Hearing this, Ruan became even more terrified and kept kowtowing to the Taoist, begging for a longer life. The Taoist told him that only by doing good and giving up doing evil could he find a way out. The Taoist made Ruan swear to throw away his bow and arrows and never kill again. Then he taught Ruan the ten precepts and arranged vegetarian food for him to eat. After Ruan finished eating, the Taoist said, at the time your life ends, I will come save you. That winter, Ruan suddenly died of an illness, but one finger of his left hand was still warm, so his family didn't bury him immediately. Three days later, Ruan revived and after a long time began to speak. According to him, shortly after his death, he saw two messengers in yellow robes leading him to a place resembling a government office. The messengers led him inside. In the main hall, he saw an official in the shadow and dozens of clerks standing before the stairs. Each holding a notebook, some blue, some black. Then one of the clerks, holding a black notebook, said to him, your sins are grave. You deserve to go to hell. He was terrified and didn't know how to answer. After a long while, he suddenly remembered the immortal master. He silently prayed. When I left the immortal master, he said he would come to save me when I die. Now I am about to go to hell. Immortal master, please come and save me. Sure enough, a moment later, auspicious cloud rose from the northwest sky, and a cloud chariot slowly descended from heaven, hovering motionless, more than 10 feet above the ground before the main hall. Ruan saw the immortal master he had met sitting in the chariot, and the officials of the underworld quickly knelt down and bowed to him. The immortal master said to the officials of the underworld, I have a disciple here, and I have come to save him. He then handed a scroll of Taoist scripture to Ruan, who immediately knelt to receive it. The immortal master instructed Ruan to recite scripture, which Ruan did, and the underworld officials listened respectfully with their heads bowed. After Ruan finished reciting, the immortal master said, you may leave now. Do not linger here. Practice diligently in the future, and I will meet you again. With that, the immortal master suddenly vanished, leaving only a strong lingering fragrance. At this moment, a messenger in yellow robes led Ruan to the doorstep of his home, where people were weeping. Ruan Ji was then resurrected. After his resurrection, he sat there for a long time, recalling the scripture he had received in his dream, and miraculously wrote it down from memory without missing a single word. From then on, Ruan Ji became a vegetarian and recited scriptures daily. Later, Ruan Ji left home and went to mountain Wangwu to practice Taoism. This story tells that those who practice Taoism have karmic connections from past lives, and only through practice can one change the fate of mortals, having endured lives, hardships, and long waits. This predestined connection has finally blossomed. Therefore, people shall cherish this opportunity and strive diligently in spiritual practice.