The Master Buxu Prophecy Poems were allegedly channeled through spirit writing (fuji, a form of divination) on the seventh day of the first lunar month, 1904, at the Biyun Temple in Beijing's Western Hills. They are attributed to the Sui dynasty Buddhist monk "Buxu" (Step Void). The actual recorder was Gao Jinghan, a late-Qing lay Buddhist using the pen name "Qingxu Daoren." The work consists of an opening verse and twelve prophetic sections, primarily in seven-character verse, predicting major Chinese events over the following century.
Through veiled metaphors, the poems describe the fall of the Qing dynasty, the founding of the Republic, Yuan Shikai's ill-fated imperial restoration, the warlord era, the Japanese invasion, the Chinese Civil War, and the founding of the People's Republic. The first ten sections correspond remarkably well to 20th-century Chinese history, earning the text an important place in Chinese folk prophetic literature.
Scholars debate the authenticity and dating of the Master Buxu Prophecy. The name "Buxu" (Step Void) derives from Daoist ritual chanting, rather than an actual historical person. Some scholars believe the text was composed in the late Qing or early Republican period and subsequently revised, with earlier "fulfilled" sections possibly added retroactively. This site presents the full original text of the opening verse and all twelve sections with verification analysis for reference.
Core Message
"The vast celestial numbers are truly hard to know — they lie only in the people's communion with the Great Void. This old monk dares not speak too freely, for leaking heaven's secrets invites punishment." — Master Buxu Prophecy, Closing
Section 1 — Fall of the Qing dynasty and Xuantong abdicationSection 2 — Xinhai Revolution and founding of the RepublicSection 5 — Japanese invasion of ChinaSection 7 — Japan's surrender and Chinese Civil WarSection 8 — Founding of the People's Republic of China
Original text from late-Qing spirit writing records, attributed to the Sui dynasty Master Buxu; actual date and authorship remain uncertain (Baidu Baike )
Some fulfilled sections may have been added or modified retroactively; variations exist between text versions
Verification based on historical records and public sources; editorial opinions do not represent academic consensus
Site icon: auspicious cloud motif — 'Buxu' means walking upon the void/clouds, a common image in Daoist ritual
Master Buxu Prophecies All Prophecies 13 Q&A entries in total
Opening Verse
步虚大师: In times of Sui dynasty turmoil I sought the Bodhi, and wandered west to Tiantai's stone bridge. By day I drank flowing clouds to quench my thirst, by night I supped on jade dew to ease my hunger. Nine years facing the wall I received the Great Way, a finger-snap and ten dynasties changed their garb. I wished to open the path but the path confounded me — heaven's secrets are hard to reveal, so I speak in Zen riddles.
Vernacular: Once, fleeing the Sui dynasty's chaos, I took up the Buddhist path and strayed to the west of Tiantai Mountain's Stone Bridge. During the day I drank flowing clouds to slake my thirst; at night I dined on jade dew to stave off hunger. After nine years of wall-gazing meditation I grasped the Great Way; in the snap of a finger, ten dynasties changed their appearance. I wished to blaze a trail for the world, but the path itself confounded me — heaven's secrets are hard to divulge, so I hint at them through Zen.
Section 1
步虚大师: Clouds darken, mists brood — the dragon returns to mud and a monkey is sculpted. A three-year-old child enjoys three years of fortune; beneath the moon no master remains, water flows in vain, and ten thousand miles of misty waves are gathered in a single day.
Vernacular: Dark clouds gather and sorrowful mist spreads. The true dragon (the Qing emperor) returns to the earth, replaced by a monkey (alluding to the Republic). A three-year-old child enjoyed only three years of blessings (Emperor Xuantong/Puyi ascended the throne at age three and reigned just three years). 'Beneath the moon no master' — removing 'master' from beneath 'moon' forms the character 'Qing' (清), meaning the Qing dynasty fades away like flowing water, and the turmoil across ten thousand miles is settled in one day.
Section 2
步虚大师: He becomes ruler and ancestor, refined and cultured, charging across ten thousand miles like a rainbow breaking through waves. In the Yellow Crane Tower a jade flute is played; from all directions victory songs resound, and five-colored banners are raised anew.
Vernacular: He assumes the throne as the founding ancestor, cultured and elegant. Like a great rainbow he charges forward across ten thousand miles. A jade flute sounds in the Yellow Crane Tower (the Wuchang Uprising erupted in Wuhan); victory songs ring out from every direction, and five-colored flags mark a new beginning (the Republic of China's flag was the Five-Colored Flag).
Section 3
步虚大师: A worthy man employs appeasement; thirty years of upheaval — is he an ordinary man? A mere flash in the pan. North, south, east, west — dragons contend and tigers battle. When the count of seven-eight is settled, mountains and rivers are roughly established.
Vernacular: A gentleman uses conciliation; across thirty years everything is overturned. Is this man merely mortal? He blooms and fades like the udumbara flower. Powers in every direction fight like dragons and tigers. When the seven-eight count is fixed (roughly fifteen or sixteen years), the lay of the mountains and rivers is roughly determined.
Section 4
步虚大师: Weapons rise, the chase for the deer grows busy — heroes from the wilds are about to emerge. So many warriors sleep with spears at the ready; wind and cloud gather at the south of the river, and Jinling's sun and moon shine once more.
Vernacular: War breaks out and rival factions scramble for power. Heroes from humble origins are about to step onto the stage. Countless warriors sleep with weapons at hand; they converge upon the Jiangnan region, and Nanjing (Jinling) regains its former glory.
Section 5
步虚大师: The tiger of Yingzhou, the wolf crossing the sea — the sky full of red suns grows even darker. Vast China is wounded and shattered; the people everywhere weep for their parents. When spring thunder suddenly roars, the clear sun appears again.
Vernacular: From Yingzhou (ancient name for Japan) comes a fierce tiger, a wolf crossing the sea. The sky filled with red suns (the Japanese flag) darkens further. The vast land of China is scarred and fragmented; common people everywhere cry for their parents. Only when spring thunder suddenly cracks does the clear sun return.
Section 6
步虚大师: In the Camp of Slender Willows, heroes drink boldly. The moon is veiled on Mid-Autumn; deep in sleep, none have awakened. Two lions wrestle for a ball — one falls into the well. A beauty in rouge, her face like cherry blossoms.
Vernacular: In the disciplined camp (alluding to General Zhou Yafu's camp), heroes gather to drink. The Mid-Autumn moon is obscured; they are deep in drunken sleep, unawakened. Two lions fight over a ball — one plunges into the well. There is a beauty with powdered face, her visage like cherry blossoms.
Section 7
步虚大师: Spring thunder explodes, white flags are raised — millions of living ghosts weep and wail. Into the Stone City a flying decree arrives; see the imperial rites of the Han palace restored — but fire blazes again from the eastern hills.
Vernacular: Spring thunder explodes and the enemy raises white flags in surrender; millions of soldiers, like living ghosts, weep and wail. A decree flies into the Stone City (ancient name for Nanjing); the nation's ceremonies are restored once more. Yet from the eastern mountains, fire flares up again.
Section 8
步虚大师: Sun and moon are eclipsed, five stars grow rare — two-seven intertwined, draped in colored garments. The wild man raises his foot to press the golden tiger; red flowers everywhere, famine everywhere — rich and poor, noble and base, all leveled.
Vernacular: The sun and moon are eclipsed (the Nationalist sun-and-moon flag loses power); five stars rise (the Five-Star Red Flag). Two-seven intertwined (alluding to 1949, or the 28 years from the CCP's founding to national power), draped in festive garb. A man from the fields rises to drive out the golden tiger (the Nationalists); red flowers blanket the land yet famine also spreads everywhere — rich and poor are made equal.
Section 9
步虚大师: Two-seven crisscross; one ox with two tails — no human form remains, the sun travels its constant track. A golden turtle in the sea, clad in dark robes with strict regulations; iron birds fill the sky, the southeast is utterly destroyed.
Vernacular: Two-seven forces interweave; one ox with two tails (alluding to a divided standoff). Human form is lost (the brutality of war); day after day the sun follows its unchanging course. A golden turtle in the sea (Taiwan, shaped like a sea turtle), governed by strict codes in dark robes. Iron birds soar overhead; the southeast suffers devastating destruction.
Section 10
步虚大师: Red clouds blaze, white clouds steam — fallen flowers and flowing water show no mercy to each other. The waters of the four seas all turn red; white bones pile like hills across every ridge. Gradually the jade rabbit rises in the east.
Vernacular: Red clouds fill the sky in splendor, white clouds billow and steam — fallen petals and flowing water are both merciless. The waters across all four seas turn crimson (a red tide sweeps the land); white bones are heaped like hills across every ridge and mound. Gradually the jade rabbit (the moon/peace) rises from the east.
Section 11
步虚大师: With the coffin sealed, merits and faults are settled — across the vast seas, peace is finally seen. A century of great events seems like a dream; the golden splendor of the southern court blooms in a spring of peace, and ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers are green everywhere.
Vernacular: Only when the coffin is closed can merits and faults be judged; across the boundless world, peace arrives at last. The great events of a hundred years feel like a dream. The south shines with golden splendor in a peaceful spring; across ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers, everything is verdant and thriving.
Section 12
步虚大师: The world divides into three; a sage emerges, with a dark-colored crown and dragon-patterned robes. Heaven and earth are bright once more; all things are governed well. The four seas sing in praise, sheltered by his blessings.
The vast celestial numbers are truly hard to know — they lie only in the people's communion with the Great Void. This old monk dares not speak too freely, for leaking heaven's secrets invites punishment.
Vernacular: The world is divided into three great powers; a sage appears, wearing a dark crown and robes adorned with dragons. Heaven and earth regain their brightness; all things are governed in good order. People across the four seas sing his praises, sheltered under his blessings. The vast numbers of heaven are inherently unknowable — all depends on the people's attunement to the Great Void. This old monk dare not say more, lest revealing heaven's secrets bring divine retribution.
Prophecy Verification Evaluating predictions against reality for expired time points
Section 1
步虚大师: Clouds darken, mists brood — the dragon returns to mud and a monkey is sculpted. A three-year-old child enjoys three years of fortune; beneath the moon no master remains, water flows in vain, and ten thousand miles of misty waves are gathered in a single day.
Vernacular: Dark clouds gather and sorrowful mist spreads. The true dragon (the Qing emperor) returns to the earth, replaced by a monkey (alluding to the Republic). A three-year-old child enjoyed only three years of blessings (Emperor Xuantong/Puyi ascended the throne at age three and reigned just three years). 'Beneath the moon no master' — removing 'master' from beneath 'moon' forms the character 'Qing' (清), meaning the Qing dynasty fades away like flowing water, and the turmoil across ten thousand miles is settled in one day.
'Dragon returns to mud' refers to the fall of the Qing dynasty. 'Three-year-old child with three years of fortune' precisely describes Emperor Xuantong (Puyi) — enthroned at age 3 in 1908, abdicated in 1912, reigning exactly three years. 'Monkey' alludes to the Republic (some interpret it as Sun Yat-sen, who was born in a Year of the Monkey). The Xinhai Revolution erupted in 1911; the Qing emperor abdicated in 1912 and the Republic of China was established.
Section 2
步虚大师: He becomes ruler and ancestor, refined and cultured, charging across ten thousand miles like a rainbow breaking through waves. In the Yellow Crane Tower a jade flute is played; from all directions victory songs resound, and five-colored banners are raised anew.
Vernacular: He assumes the throne as the founding ancestor, cultured and elegant. Like a great rainbow he charges forward across ten thousand miles. A jade flute sounds in the Yellow Crane Tower (the Wuchang Uprising erupted in Wuhan); victory songs ring out from every direction, and five-colored flags mark a new beginning (the Republic of China's flag was the Five-Colored Flag).
'Jade flute in Yellow Crane Tower' alludes to the 1911 Wuchang Uprising — Yellow Crane Tower is in Wuhan, where the uprising was launched. 'Five-colored banners raised anew' refers to the Republic of China's Five-Colored Flag (red, yellow, blue, white, black, representing the unity of five peoples). 'He becomes ruler and ancestor' refers to Sun Yat-sen, honored as the Father of the Nation.
Section 4
步虚大师: Weapons rise, the chase for the deer grows busy — heroes from the wilds are about to emerge. So many warriors sleep with spears at the ready; wind and cloud gather at the south of the river, and Jinling's sun and moon shine once more.
Vernacular: War breaks out and rival factions scramble for power. Heroes from humble origins are about to step onto the stage. Countless warriors sleep with weapons at hand; they converge upon the Jiangnan region, and Nanjing (Jinling) regains its former glory.
'Heroes from the wilds emerge' alludes to Chiang Kai-shek's rise. 'Jinling's sun and moon shine again' refers to Chiang establishing the Nationalist government in Nanjing (ancient name: Jinling) in 1927. 'Chase for the deer' describes the rival factions competing for power during the Northern Expedition.
Section 3
步虚大师: A worthy man employs appeasement; thirty years of upheaval — is he an ordinary man? A mere flash in the pan. North, south, east, west — dragons contend and tigers battle. When the count of seven-eight is settled, mountains and rivers are roughly established.
Vernacular: A gentleman uses conciliation; across thirty years everything is overturned. Is this man merely mortal? He blooms and fades like the udumbara flower. Powers in every direction fight like dragons and tigers. When the seven-eight count is fixed (roughly fifteen or sixteen years), the lay of the mountains and rivers is roughly determined.
'Worthy man with appeasement' alludes to Yuan Shikai. 'Flash in the pan' refers to his 1916 imperial restoration lasting only 83 days before his death. 'Dragons and tigers battling in all directions' describes the subsequent warlord era. 'Seven-eight count settled' may mean 7+8=15 years (1912-1927); the Northern Expedition roughly unified China by 1928, 'establishing the mountains and rivers.'
Section 6
步虚大师: In the Camp of Slender Willows, heroes drink boldly. The moon is veiled on Mid-Autumn; deep in sleep, none have awakened. Two lions wrestle for a ball — one falls into the well. A beauty in rouge, her face like cherry blossoms.
Vernacular: In the disciplined camp (alluding to General Zhou Yafu's camp), heroes gather to drink. The Mid-Autumn moon is obscured; they are deep in drunken sleep, unawakened. Two lions fight over a ball — one plunges into the well. There is a beauty with powdered face, her visage like cherry blossoms.
This section is interpreted as the 1936 Xi'an Incident. 'Camp of Slender Willows' refers to a military camp; 'heroes drinking boldly' alludes to Zhang Xueliang, Yang Hucheng, and other generals. 'Two lions wrestling, one falls into the well' suggests Chiang Kai-shek's detention. 'Beauty with cherry-blossom face' alludes to Soong Mei-ling traveling to Xi'an to negotiate. The incident occurred on December 12, 1936.
Section 5
步虚大师: The tiger of Yingzhou, the wolf crossing the sea — the sky full of red suns grows even darker. Vast China is wounded and shattered; the people everywhere weep for their parents. When spring thunder suddenly roars, the clear sun appears again.
Vernacular: From Yingzhou (ancient name for Japan) comes a fierce tiger, a wolf crossing the sea. The sky filled with red suns (the Japanese flag) darkens further. The vast land of China is scarred and fragmented; common people everywhere cry for their parents. Only when spring thunder suddenly cracks does the clear sun return.
'Tiger of Yingzhou, wolf crossing the sea' clearly refers to the Japanese invasion of China. 'Sky full of red suns growing dark' uses the red sun as a metaphor for Japan's Rising Sun flag. Japan launched a full-scale invasion in 1937, devastating China. 'Spring thunder roars, clear sun appears' refers to victory in 1945. This is one of the most unambiguous sections of the entire poem.
Section 7
步虚大师: Spring thunder explodes, white flags are raised — millions of living ghosts weep and wail. Into the Stone City a flying decree arrives; see the imperial rites of the Han palace restored — but fire blazes again from the eastern hills.
Vernacular: Spring thunder explodes and the enemy raises white flags in surrender; millions of soldiers, like living ghosts, weep and wail. A decree flies into the Stone City (ancient name for Nanjing); the nation's ceremonies are restored once more. Yet from the eastern mountains, fire flares up again.
'Spring thunder explodes, white flags raised' refers to Japan's surrender in 1945. 'Millions of living ghosts weeping' describes the Japanese army's state after defeat. 'Flying decree into Stone City' refers to the surrender ceremony in Nanjing (ancient name: Stone City). 'Han palace rites restored' refers to the Nationalist government returning to Nanjing. 'Fire from the eastern hills' foreshadows the ensuing Chinese Civil War.
Section 8
步虚大师: Sun and moon are eclipsed, five stars grow rare — two-seven intertwined, draped in colored garments. The wild man raises his foot to press the golden tiger; red flowers everywhere, famine everywhere — rich and poor, noble and base, all leveled.
Vernacular: The sun and moon are eclipsed (the Nationalist sun-and-moon flag loses power); five stars rise (the Five-Star Red Flag). Two-seven intertwined (alluding to 1949, or the 28 years from the CCP's founding to national power), draped in festive garb. A man from the fields rises to drive out the golden tiger (the Nationalists); red flowers blanket the land yet famine also spreads everywhere — rich and poor are made equal.
'Sun and moon eclipsed' refers to the Nationalist flag's demise. 'Five stars' alludes to the Five-Star Red Flag. 'Wild man presses the golden tiger' refers to Mao Zedong (of rural origin) leading the CCP to defeat the Nationalists. 'Red flowers everywhere, famine everywhere' references both revolutionary triumph and subsequent famines. 'Rich and poor leveled' describes socialist class elimination. The PRC was founded October 1, 1949.
Section 9
步虚大师: Two-seven crisscross; one ox with two tails — no human form remains, the sun travels its constant track. A golden turtle in the sea, clad in dark robes with strict regulations; iron birds fill the sky, the southeast is utterly destroyed.
Vernacular: Two-seven forces interweave; one ox with two tails (alluding to a divided standoff). Human form is lost (the brutality of war); day after day the sun follows its unchanging course. A golden turtle in the sea (Taiwan, shaped like a sea turtle), governed by strict codes in dark robes. Iron birds soar overhead; the southeast suffers devastating destruction.
'One ox two tails' is interpreted as the cross-strait division between mainland China and Taiwan. 'Golden turtle in the sea' refers to Taiwan (shaped like a turtle). 'Iron birds in sky, southeast destroyed' refers to the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis (the August 23 Artillery Bombardment of Kinmen). 'Dark robes with strict regulations' alludes to martial law in Taiwan. This section describes the tense cross-strait military standoff.
Section 10
步虚大师: Red clouds blaze, white clouds steam — fallen flowers and flowing water show no mercy to each other. The waters of the four seas all turn red; white bones pile like hills across every ridge. Gradually the jade rabbit rises in the east.
Vernacular: Red clouds fill the sky in splendor, white clouds billow and steam — fallen petals and flowing water are both merciless. The waters across all four seas turn crimson (a red tide sweeps the land); white bones are heaped like hills across every ridge and mound. Gradually the jade rabbit (the moon/peace) rises from the east.
'Waters of four seas all red' is widely interpreted as the political campaigns of 1966-1976, with red ideology sweeping the nation. 'White bones piled like hills' describes the massive casualties. 'Jade rabbit gradually rises in the east' suggests the restoration of order after 1976, with China moving toward peace and recovery. 'Fallen flowers and flowing water show no mercy' describes the ruthless struggles between people during the campaigns.
Section 11
步虚大师: With the coffin sealed, merits and faults are settled — across the vast seas, peace is finally seen. A century of great events seems like a dream; the golden splendor of the southern court blooms in a spring of peace, and ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers are green everywhere.
Vernacular: Only when the coffin is closed can merits and faults be judged; across the boundless world, peace arrives at last. The great events of a hundred years feel like a dream. The south shines with golden splendor in a peaceful spring; across ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers, everything is verdant and thriving.
'Coffin sealed, merits and faults settled' refers to the historical assessment of Mao Zedong after his death in 1976. 'Golden splendor of the southern court in spring' alludes to the Reform and Opening-Up launched from the south (Shenzhen and other Special Economic Zones) after 1978, and the resulting southern economic boom. 'Mountains and rivers green everywhere' describes China's economic takeoff and social revival. 'A century of great events like a dream' reflects on the turbulent century from the late Qing to Reform and Opening-Up.
Opening Verse
步虚大师: In times of Sui dynasty turmoil I sought the Bodhi, and wandered west to Tiantai's stone bridge. By day I drank flowing clouds to quench my thirst, by night I supped on jade dew to ease my hunger. Nine years facing the wall I received the Great Way, a finger-snap and ten dynasties changed their garb. I wished to open the path but the path confounded me — heaven's secrets are hard to reveal, so I speak in Zen riddles.
Vernacular: Once, fleeing the Sui dynasty's chaos, I took up the Buddhist path and strayed to the west of Tiantai Mountain's Stone Bridge. During the day I drank flowing clouds to slake my thirst; at night I dined on jade dew to stave off hunger. After nine years of wall-gazing meditation I grasped the Great Way; in the snap of a finger, ten dynasties changed their appearance. I wished to blaze a trail for the world, but the path itself confounded me — heaven's secrets are hard to divulge, so I hint at them through Zen.
The opening verse serves as a prologue in the voice of Master Buxu, establishing his background of spiritual cultivation and the origin of his prophecies. 'Nine years facing the wall' alludes to Bodhidharma; 'a finger-snap and ten dynasties changed' signals the prophecy will cover multiple dynastic transitions.
Section 12
步虚大师: The world divides into three; a sage emerges, with a dark-colored crown and dragon-patterned robes. Heaven and earth are bright once more; all things are governed well. The four seas sing in praise, sheltered by his blessings.
The vast celestial numbers are truly hard to know — they lie only in the people's communion with the Great Void. This old monk dares not speak too freely, for leaking heaven's secrets invites punishment.
Vernacular: The world is divided into three great powers; a sage appears, wearing a dark crown and robes adorned with dragons. Heaven and earth regain their brightness; all things are governed in good order. People across the four seas sing his praises, sheltered under his blessings. The vast numbers of heaven are inherently unknowable — all depends on the people's attunement to the Great Void. This old monk dare not say more, lest revealing heaven's secrets bring divine retribution.