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Overview

In the account introducing the Monk of the Yangtze-kiang, the Dragon of the Milky Way disputes the Eastern Sea Dragon-King’s prediction that heaven will order three inches of rain. He predicts two, and they agree that the loser must become a mud salamander. When the actual order calls for three inches, he deliberately supplies only two and falsely reports obedience. The emperor’s prayer of thanks exposes the shortfall, and heaven orders the general We Dschong to execute him.

The dragon appears to the emperor in a dream as a giant, begging him to keep the general awake and petition for mercy. The emperor occupies We Dschong with tea and chess, but the general falls asleep when the emperor is distracted by the game. On waking, We Dschong reports beheading the dragon in his dream; a dragon’s head then falls from the air. The wager’s salamander transformation never occurs in the narrated action.

The dead dragon subsequently complains against the emperor in the Nether World. Summoned there, the emperor is told that although the dragon deserved punishment, an intercession might have saved him. The proposed remedy requires Buddhist scriptures from the Western Heavens and a major rite, so the Monk of the Yangtze-kiang is sent on his journey. Seventeen years later he returns with scriptures, and the rite is held for the dragon’s deliverance. The text does not independently show the dragon rising or recovering his former body. This is the supernatural narrative of this translated witness, not a reliable account of Buddhism’s historical origin.

Controls a specified rainfall under heavenly ordersAppears as a giant in an emperor’s dreamComplains in the Nether World after execution
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Origins & earliest records

Chinese tales mediated by Richard Wilhelm and Frederick H. Martens

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Records & interpretation

Complete tale and its attached source note read in the retained1921-edition transcription.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    The Chinese Fairy Book

    Richard Wilhelm, editor; Frederick H. Martens, translator · 1921

    LXIX, The Monk of the Yangtze-kiang, pp.243–251; New York, Frederick A. Stokes Company

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Complete historical translated tale

Richard Wilhelm/Frederick H. Martens, The Chinese Fairy Book (Stokes1921)

Historical Fairy Tales. LXIX, The Monk of the Yangtze-kiang, pp.243–251

Complete LXIX/all notes and full monk biographical sequel read in wilhelm-LXIX.txt and29939.html. Proposed salamander form not assumed fulfilled; closing rite distinguished from observed restoration. Historical origin claims not adopted.

Inspect the digitized plate · Source collection manifest

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Historical translated taleWilhelm/Martens, The Chinese Fairy Book, LXIX, The Monk of the Yangtze-kiang, pp.243–251Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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