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Where did Shen Jiji get his idea for the pillow story?

  Having heard the story written by Shen Jiji, there is a natural question that comes up: Where did Shen Jiji get the idea from his story and what significance does it have to the times? The editor of the copy we are given also introduces a number of questions such as where was the original story first documented, who was the author, and what impact did his life’s work have on the story. Shen Jiji wrote Zheng Zhong Ji, translated as, “The World Inside the Pillow” or “The Account Upon a Pillow” to share a common Buddhist idea that desires are nothing but a dream. It is important to recognize that Shen Jiji’s story resonates closely with other authors from before his time as well as personal experiences from his own life. 

Time period
We can first look at the time period Shen JiJi was living in to understand the cultural conditions he found himself writing in. Shen Jiji’s exact birth and death dates are not known, but it is somewhat known that he lived in the early Tang Dynasty. Again, the specific years are not known, but based on the references of his work by other authors, it is speculated that he was born around 650 and died close to 700. This is very important for understanding what forces may have influenced his career and ethical motives.
As we know, the period of Shen JiJi’s life is of the early Tang dynasty, which was known especially for its economic success and well established courts. Having followed the Sui dynasty, the Tang was economically stable and intellectually curious. It was known that there were more fur coats in the Tang capital during Shen Jiji’s lifetime than there were in 20th century New york. Some signs of the Tang dynasty’s success were the incredible affluence in the present day Hang Zhou and the political representatives who were sent to the far West in present day Tibet and India, to spread the Tang court’s influence. The states of economic and political success are leading influences Shen JiJi’s message that “life is all but a dream”.

Authors Background
Shen JiJi’s history is not deeply documented, but it is known that he was very educated and knowledgeable in his community. It is also stated that Shen Jiji did not come from well-educated parents. The most reputable accounts of Shen Jiji’s background state he was from Suzhou. The state of Suzhou during the Tang dynasty explains how Shen Jiji could have received quality education, without previously being from a privileged family. 
Due to a political connection, Shen Jiji was recommended to become an advisor to the Emperor. His first major position was “zuo shi yi” or Emperor left hand advisor. This position was deemed one of the highest advisory positions. For example, when compared to the “you shi yi” or “right hand advisor of the Emperor ", the left hand advisor would be first asked for help. Shen Jiji was personally responsible for protecting the Emperor from making poor decisions that would hinder the country.
One example of Shen Jiji’s character is seen during his behavior toward Emperor De Zong. At the beginning of De Zong’s rule, he appointed officials to identify talented individuals throughout the country to serve in his courts. Shen Jiji recognized that the officials responsible for this task were corrupt and ineffective. Shen Jiji spoke up to the emperor, criticizing his idea and speaking out against the corrupt officials. The willingness speak out for the country at the risk of potentially disappointing the emperor reflects a ethical perspective held by few in power. 

Idea source
	The story of Zheng Zhong Ji can be boiled down to a single Buddhist or daoist moral: worldly possessions and social positions are fleeting. In other words, power, money, and fame are not permanent and should be recognized as such. Being such a similar idea to the Buddhist and Daoist message, it is clear Shen Jiji was influenced by the cultural messages of his time.
	Shen Jiji’s personal life experience is reflected in Zheng Zhong Ji’s journey. After serving the Emperor, Shen Jiji was demoted from his position due to his affiliation with someone who was politically shunned. It should be noted that Shen Jiji himself did not do anything that would result in negative consequences. Rather, an acquaintance of his offended another official, resulting in all of the acquaintance’s peers to be punished. This reflects a “dream like transience” to the political responsibilities and power held by Shen Jiji.
	The Buddhist and Daoist ideas were spread widely before and during the Tang dynasty that Shen Jiji lived in. During the Sui dynasty, a famous Buddhist monk, Xuan Zang was known to have traveled along the silk road from China to India to learn the Buddhist teachings. Xuan Zang’s message, which was spread from the years 600-650 are very similar to the core message of Shen Jiji. As written by Wang Bi Jiang in the Tang Wen Xiao Shuo, Buddhism and Taoism was very popular during the Tang dynasty, explain why they influenced literature and poetry of the time. 
	 Finally, there is an Indian story documented as early as year 500 BC which tells of a drunken man who dreams he has great riches and power. The story explores the man’s fantasy acquiring power and Similar to Zheng Zhong Ji, the man wakens from his drunken stupor to realize his experience was all but a dream. It is likely that Xuan Zang himself knew this story and shared it during his travels from India.

Conclusion
	Concluding, it is clear that Shen Jiji’s story has two major influences: his own political experience and the major Buddhist and Taoist messages of the time. While there is very little directly written about Shen Jiji and the documentation on his past is sparse, the story itself is a cherished story from the Tang dynasty.