Journey to the North (Part 3) - Stone

A novice monk travels with his tutor, a master sculptor, to visit the stone Buddhas of north China. He is tormented by a vivid dream of an idyllic rural life outside the monastery, and is tempted to leave.  (Part 3) Tian talks with Dai again, then his dream returns, this time with a new twist.

View from Dailou Peak, Wutaishan, China (Photo: M. Griffiths)

 

A story in 6 parts.

 

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated to improve this story. Thanks!

 

Read Journey to the North (Part 1) - Dust here.
Read Journey to the North (Part 2) - Gold here. 

Journey to the North

 

Part 3

 

Stone

 

“Is your master feeling better?” Dai asked as they slowly climbed the steps up Dailuo Peak to the temple, careful to keep a distance between them. Tian itched to be nearer but was conscious of the others ahead and behind them on the steps. It would not do for a monk and nun to be seen too close together.

Tian shrugged and a frown creased his forehead. “The doctor has given him some medicine and he is resting. I hope he will recover his strength soon. I want to go home to Sichuan, we have been away from the monastery a long time.”

Dai nodded and glanced down at his patched green leggings. “I see you wear the green of the Pure Land sect.”

Tian nodded. “Yes. It is an old tradition but still an important one I think.”

At the end of the Red Dynasty when the wei ji shi began, the period of crisis, there were many problems. One was that due to the population polices of the government there were 120 boys for every 100 girls. With so many men around unable to marry society was at risk of violence and disorder. When the government fell one of the military leaders who arose to restore order decreed, on the advice of his cousin, a venerable monk of the Buddhist Pure Land sect, that henceforth ten percent of males should enter the monasteries. Another ten percent would be in the army. And furthermore, as nature was the basis of sustenance for all sentient beings and had been neglected for too long, the monks’ duty, with the help of the army when times were peaceful enough to allow it, was to help restore the balance of heaven and earth through tree planting, and restoring the land wherever they could. After his time the Pure Land monks wore green leggings to show that all life depended on nature.

The new dynasty achieved great success in restoring the old ways and old technologies that had worked in ancient times in harmony with nature. It also showed great devotion to Buddhism but it too fell after many more decades of hardship. Eventually the six kingdoms had formed but the tradition of tree planting and green leggings continued.

“Restoring nature relieves the suffering of all sentient beings.” Tian said “And you sister? What order do you belong to?”

“I am of the Chan tradition. We follow the more contemplative path, like our Zen colleagues in Japan, and serve the community in other ways.”

Tian nodded. Such a style could never suit him though. The monastery life required too much sitting for his liking already.

“Mediation makes me restless.” he grinned. “I prefer the Pure Land style. Chanting Amituofo to reach the Pure Land of the Buddha and achieving nirvana in the next life is much easier.”

Dai shook her head. “Our sutras do not talk about such a path.”

Tian began to explain what the tutors had taught him. “Amitabha Buddha in his Eighteenth Vow, declared: 'If upon the attainment of Buddhahood all sentient who aspire in sincerity and faith to be reborn in my land, recite my name up to ten times and fail to be born there, then may I not attain the Perfect Enlightenment…'”

Tian paused and looked at her closely. Dai’s brow furrowed slightly but she nodded for him to continue.

“And so, since he finally attained the Supreme Enlightenment and became the Buddha Amitabha, this means that his vow is now real, the Pure Land in the west has been established, and all suffering beings must and will be delivered if only they call upon his name.”

Dai laughed, “Only ten times?”

Tian smiled. Her laugh was like the tinkling of a gentle waterfall upon stone. “With genuine faith, yes. Ten thousand is better, or ten million.”

Dai shook her head again. “My teacher would not agree with you about believing in some promised land where achieving nirvana is easy. Achieving one’s Buddha-nature is not an easy task.”

“That is why the Amitabha Buddha made his Pure Land. To help ordinary people achieve nirvana away from the difficulties of daily life. A half way stage. Not everyone can meditate all day. It is too difficult. I know it is for me!”

Tian found it hard to stop his mind from wandering but he found the endless repetition of Amituofo did help sometimes. He needed all the help he could get. Especially right now when his thoughts were filled with Dai.

She smiled. 

Tian smiled in return. “My abbot has studied some of the Zen teachings. He says it doesn't matter if the cat is black or white as long as it catches mice. Reciting the Buddha’s name can help meditation so we are all similar.”

Dai nodded slightly but her brow remain furrowed. Tian pursed his lips and wondered if he should change the subject. Dai beat him to it.

“What brings you and your master to this place?” she asked, her face brightening.

“We have visited many large stone Buddhas. Our monastery plans to build the biggest in China, eighty metres tall. Our bags are full of drawings and notes on their designs and construction methods. It will be a great monument to Buddha and to the dedication of our monastery in honouring his wisdom. Hopefully it will inspire people to follow the Buddha’s path. This is our last stop before we go home.”

Dai nodded but did not speak.

“Are you here on a pilgrimage?” asked Tian.

Dai shook her head. “No. I am here with the abbess of my order and several others. The abbess is here for an important meeting and we are assisting her.”

“Oh.” Tian continued to climb beside her until they reached the top. They lit incense in the temple and bowed to the statues of the five Manjusri Bodhisattvas there. They strolled to a terrace overlooking the valley. They stood three feet apart leaning on the stone balustrade. “This is a beautiful place.”

“Yes. Since we arrived a few days ago I have climbed the hill every morning. I usually come earlier in the morning but today we spent time preparing for our meeting this afternoon.”

Tian waited expectantly but Dai did not elaborate on the subject of the meeting. She gazed at the many rooftops of the valley in silence. After a few minutes they began the climb down. At the bottom Tian stopped and turned to Dai.

“I hope your meeting goes well this afternoon, sister.” He bowed his head.

“Thank you, brother.” She returned the bow and smiled.

He watched her grey robes glide away across the cobbles. He felt a lightness he could not describe. His eyes followed her grey robes until she disappeared from view. The feeling remained as he returned to the residence and again fed the bitter medicine to Master Shi. He could see his master’s mouth curl at the bitterness of it but he silently took it all, then lay down again on his bed and resumed his chanting.

It seemed he was now taking his illness seriously. Tian wondered of the image of the golden Buddha was still in his master’s mind. To see such a creation would indeed be inspiring. Perhaps Master Shi’s determination to see it would help his recovery.

That night Tian again dreamed of the farm in the country, the green of bamboo and the sound of birds and crickets. The singing came again in the dream and this time when he looked for it he finally found the source. It was Dai. She stood in the courtyard of the small stone house and he smiled as he listened to her voice as they worked together winnowing grain.

He awoke in the darkness and fingered his prayer beads. His dream was becoming more real with each passing day. He trembled with excitement as he began to contemplate what it meant.

****

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated to improve this story. Thanks!

Read  Journey to the North (Part 1) - Dust, here.
Read  Journey to the North (Part 2) - Gold, here.

Read  Journey to the North (Part 4) - Wood, here.

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