Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Dedication v
3. Preface & Acknowledgments xi
4. Translator’s Introduction xv
5. Preface 1
6. Prologue 7
7. 1. At Mount Pheasant Yoke, a Crane Refines Himself / At the Banks of the River Xiang, a Musk Deer Receives His Punishment 9
8. 2. Seeking Escape from Samsara, the Crane Boy Is Reborn / Discussing Astrology and Physiognomy, Zhong and Lü Conceal Their Names 25
9. 3. Han Yu Inscribes His Name on the Tiger Placard / Xiangzi Drinks the Wedding Cup in the Nuptial Chamber 38
10. 4. Zhong and Lü Appear on Gold Sprinkle Bridge / Han Xiang Studies the Dao on Sleeping Tiger Mo 49
11. 5. By Cutting Down the Hibiscus, Mme. Dou Criticizes Luying / While Waiting at the City Gate, the Crowds Tease Xiangzi 65
12. 6. Abandoning His Family Bonds, Xiangzi Cultivates Himself / A Transformed Beauty Tempts Xiangzi for the First Time 78
13. 7. Tiger and Snake Block the Road to Test Han Xiang / Monsters and Demons Flee from Perfect Fire 89
14. 8. A Bodhisattva Manifests a Numinous Sign as He Ascends to the Upper Realm / Han Xiangzi Guards the Elixir Cauldron with Firm Concentration 99
15. 9. Han Xiangzi’s Name Is Recorded at the Purple Office / Two Shepherds Recognize a Divine Immortal 112
16. 10. Bragging and Boasting, Turtle and Egret Bring Calamity upon Themselves / Singing Daoist Songs, Han Xiangzi Moves the Crowd 123
17. 11. In Disguise, Xiangzi Transmits a Message / A Stone Lion Is Transformed into Gold 137
18. 12. When Tuizhi Prays for Snow, Xiangzi Ascends the Southern Shrine / The Dragon King Bows and Follows Orders 155
19. 13. Riding an Auspicious Cloud, Xiangzi Is Saluted by Emperor Xianzong / Discoursing on Complete Perfection, Xiangzi Chants a Poem 173
20. 14. Rushing in at a Birthday Banquet, Xiangzi Engages the Guests in Conversation / Hearing of Nourishing Primordial Yang, Tuizhi Does Not Become Enlightened 190
21. 15. Manifesting His Divine Powers, Xiangzi Lies Snoring on the Ground / A False Daoist Drinks Merrily before the Assembled Guests 206
22. 16. Xiangzi Enters the Underworld to Examine the Registers of Life and Death / He Summons Immortal Maidens to Deliver Birthday Greetings 218
23. 17. By His Divine Powers, Han Xiangzi Manifests Transformations / Lin Luying Is Entangled in Love 235
24. 18. Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Respectfully Welcomes the Buddha Bone / Han Tuizhi’s Indignant Protest Gets Him Banished 251
25. 19. Banished to Chaozhou, Tuizhi Travels to His Post / Crossing the River of Love, Xiangzi Rows the Boat 265
26. 20. At the Village of Beautiful Women, a Fisherman and a Woodcutter Open Tuizhi’s Mind / On a Snowy Mountain, a Herdboy Awakens Tuizhi from His Confusion 281
27. 21. Inquiring into His Fortune, Tuizhi Seeks an Oracle in a Temple / Seeking to Assuage His Hunger and Thirst, Tuizhi Stays in a Thatched Hut 301
28. 22. Sitting in a Thatched Hut, Tuizhi Sighs to Himself / Expelling a Crocodile, the Celestial Generals Bestow Blessings on the People 314
29. 23. Arduous Cultivation Leads Tuizhi to an Awakening / Willingly Guarding Her Chastity, Luying Remains Steadfast and Virtuous 329
30. 24. Returning Home, Han Xiang Manifests His Transformative Powers / Shooting a Parrot, Mme. Dou Remains Attached to Her Illusions 345
31. 25. Master Lü Sends a Dream to the Cui Family / Mother Zhang Two Makes a Marriage Proposal at the Han Mansion 361
32. 26. Minister Cui Pretends to Act in the Public Interest while Taking Revenge for a Private Grudge / Two Fishermen Sit Together as They Cast Their Lines 374
33. 27. At the Zhuowei Hermitage, Master and Servants Meet Again / Caring for an Ox, Han Yu Awakens to the Dao 391
34. 28. On Cheating Mountain, a Woodcutter Shows the Way / Mother and Daughter-in-Law Cultivate Themselves in Magu’s Hermitage 408
35. 29. A Bear-Man Carries Han Qing across the Mountain Ranges / An Immortal Transmits Mysterious Secrets to Mme. Dou 420
36. 30. The Musk Deer Is Freed from His Water Prison / The Han and Lin Families Together Realize the Sacred and Transcend the World 436
37. Notes 449