The Four Noble Truths

Cao Xueqin subverts Buddhism once again

The Four Noble Truths

Dream of the Red Chamber is filled to the brim with subversive text. Here’s yet another example.

Did you notice the odd names of the four celestial maidens in yesterday’s post? Let’s take another look at them:

一名痴夢仙姑

一名鍾情大士

一名引愁金女

一名度恨菩提

The Fairy of Deluded Dreams

The Great Mistress of Ardent Love

The Golden Maiden Who Summons Sorrow

The Bodhi Who Passes Through Grief

Now, if you’re an ignorant foreigner like me, you won’t notice anything unusual or interesting about these names at first. However, if you know a thing or two about Buddhism, they’ll stand out. Let me explain.