Journey to the North (Part 5) - Jewels

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 5) The donated jewels are stolen, Master Shi 's health deteriorates and Tian nervously awaits Dai's response.

 

 

Golden temple roof, Wutaishan (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.
Read Journey to the North (Part 3) - Stone here.
Read Journey to the North (Part 4) - Wood here.

Journey to the North

 

Part 5
 

Jewels

Tian sat at the base of the hill again. He waited for an hour and began to pace backwards and forwards around the bottom of the steps that lead to the temple at the top. Where was she? Why was she late today? Had she decided not to see him again?

He was just about to return to sit beside Master Shi’s bed and chant for his recovery when he saw Dai limping towards him. He walked towards her.

            “Are you all right sister? What happened to you?”

            “Nothing serious. I turned my ankle.” She gave him small smile. “It will be fine in a few days. I was a gymnast in school before I joined the order. I’m used to it.”  She sat slowly on a bench. “But I don’t think I should climb the steps today.”

Tian sat down beside her and nodded. “Did you hear? The jewels you spoke about have been stolen. Someone got into the vault where they were kept. Monks came early this morning to search our room and our bags.”

“Yes. They searched ours too. My abbess has been arrested under suspicion. We planned to leave in a few days but we will have to wait until she is released.”

“Surely she did not steal them?”

Dai shook her head. “Of course not. They will search our rooms and bags ten times and find nothing.”

“They will search every temple and building in the whole of Wutaishan before the day is out.” said Tian.

“Yes. But I doubt they will find them. Perhaps it is karma. They jewels should not have been in their possession anyway.” She forced a tight smile.

Tian looked at her with a frown, then slowly nodded. “Yes, Maybe you are right. How did the meeting go yesterday?”

Dai shrugged. “Same as the day before. It was clear they had no intention of changing their minds. ”

Tian pursed his lips. “So what will become of your trip to Japan and the project to clean the soil?”

Dai exhaled slowly. “We will find a way.”

“I worry about you going there. The nuclear poison is dangerous. Do you not fear the hair falling out disease?” The land of the rising sun had suffered from earthquakes, great waves and the poison rays. It had largely closed itself off from the world once again and reverted to traditional ways.

She smiled. “They wear special metal clothing when they go into the poisoned areas. They have learned a lot about dealing with these matters, themselves and from others. They were not the only ones who were affected. Countries in the west were too. They grow mushrooms which absorb the poison from the soil then bury them somewhere it can’t escape. My abbess is a scientist. She believes it can be successful in the eastern kingdom too.”

Tian gazed at her face, the jut of her chin, the curl of her ear lobe, her deep brown eyes. He felt himself becoming warm and loosened his robes. He smiled to himself as he spoke with her but his joy was tempered with anxiety. He tried to contain his impatience. She had not yet spoken about the suggestion he had made the day before, the idea of them leaving the building a life in the country together, away from their temples. Finally he could restrain himself no more. “Sister. Have you thought about my…my proposal from yesterday?”

Dai bit her lip and looked down at the uneven cobbles beneath their feet. “I have been busy brother. I need more time to mediate on it. What you are asking is a very big decision. For years I have dedicated my life to the order and achieving nirvana through meditation. I have grown used to being with my sisters and serving the community. I fear trying to survive alone in the country away from others as you suggest would be very difficult for me. Would you not miss your monastery too? Are you sure you want to leave that, and the giant Buddha statue project?”

Tian nodded slowly. “I will miss it a little, but I’m sure we can do it sister. Sichuan is fertile and the rains plentiful. And I promise you will have time to meditate We don’t have to be in monastery to achieve the Buddha’s Pure Land.”

She nodded. “I don’t doubt your sincerity brother.” She gazed out at the buildings that filled the valley. Tian had hoped that perhaps because of the politicking and arguments over the jewels within her order she might be more inclined to leave. He fingered his rosary.

Finally she spoke again. “Is your master better?”

Tian shook his head. “His recovery is very slow.” He hesitated. He tried to push aside the guilty feeling that crept up on him that if his master passed away it would make his leaving the monastery much easier. “He is taking his medicine well and resting. I light incense for him in the temples and chant beside his bed. There is little more I can do.”

Dai nodded and stood gingerly. “I should go now. It is better if we are not seen together too much.”

Tian leapt to his feet and bowed. “I hope your leg is better tomorrow.”

She nodded and shuffled away. Tian watched her with then strode quickly back to the sit beside Master Shi on his sickbed. He mumbled a chant and fingered his beads. After some conversation Master Shi fell silent. Tian took the opportunity.

“Master, I have been thinking. Do you remember when we visited your relative near Chengdu? He wanted you to make a statue or him. I wonder if there are many people like him who would benefit from a small statue. Not everyone will be able to travel and see the giant stone Buddha we plan to build. But everyone can chant his name at home and a statue would help that. I met someone from the Eastern Kingdom. They work in the community to help restore the land and help families.”

Master Shi shook his head and coughed. “Nonsense. The giant Buddha will inspire many people from near and far. It will help many people reach the Pure Land. It will be worth it, don’t worry.” He coughed again.

Tian raised a glass of water to his lips. “I am sorry to trouble you with these questions Master. Please rest.”

Master Shi coughed again violently, doubling over. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead but his hands felt cold.

“I will get the doctor.” Tian began to stand up.

“Wait.” The master’s voice was weak and his breathing laboured. Tian leant close to him. “There is something I want to tell you. I am very ill. I think perhaps it is time for me to go the Pure Land. If I leave this world I want you to go to Donglin Temple like I planned and finish your training with the master there. Then return to our monastery to build the giant stone Buddha.”

“Don’t say that Master. You will be fine.” Tian dropped his eyes, guilt gnawing at his insides. Knowing he plans were the opposite of what his master wished.

“Go to Donglin. Do you hear me?”

 “I hear you Master.” Tian nodded reflexively but his mind flew to Dai. He rose and ran to the doctors rooms. He returned with them after a few minutes and found Master Shi still struggling to breathe. The doctor felt his pulses and gave him some medicine. His breathing settled and the lines on his face relaxed. He sat with the doctor and his assistant for some time but no one spoke. Tian sensed from the frown on the doctor’s face that maybe there was little even he could do.

Master Shi opened his eyes. He coughed again them settled back. His breath came in noisy gasps but he smiled. “I can see it, the Pure Land, bright lights and beautiful music. Buddha is coming to welcome me!" He turned his head slightly to Tian. “Remember what I said.”

Tian nodded as a tightness gripped his chest. Master Shi settled back and closed his eyes. Tian saw the small round burn marks on his head from his initiation many decades ago fade from brown to white. The doctor grasped his wrist and felt for his pulse. He looked up at Tian and shook his head. Tian’s eyes were instantly field with tears. Then he took his rosary in both hands and began to chant, determined to stay at the bedside the entire three days until his master’s soul departed his body. Visions of the golden Buddha, Master Shi, Dai and his dream of the farm in the country floated in and out of this consciousness. All he could think of, between the drone of the chanting and the jumbled images in his mind, was that after these three days his future would not be the same.

 

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

Read  Journey to the North (Part 6) - Ashes, here.

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