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In front of the people stood a nun of Buddha, a somber woman dressed in gray with intelligent, tired eyes, and pale face, and she spoke with a clear, mild, and sweet voice to the audience. She told the listeners how gods originated long ago in the olden days, out of the needs and wishes of the people at that time, who had not recognized the unity of nature. ..... But in Buddhism there was only one primordial force -- the essence of mind, she explained. ..... The nun who served wisdom explained to the audience the Buddhism theories, from the pure, immaculate Dharmakaya to the Satipatthana Sutta, the basic manual on meditation. She introduced the Four Noble Truths, Five Precepts, Six Paramitas, and Eightfold Path, and explained how one could reach the Pure Land, the Nirvana through practicing Buddhism. One term after another was raised and then elaborated, and each time I felt a small delicate triumph in my mind, along with mild sympathy and peace in my heart. .............. "In Buddhism, knowledge is regarded as an obstacle to understanding, like a block of ice that obstructs water from flowing. You must go beyond the veil of language to seek the essence of life. Only gradually and unconsciously does the link between life and death become apparent. The link grows closer and more intimate when you begin to sense that life and death are actually different states of a Self." ..... In a soft, yet firm voice, Nun Anonymous further elaborated the meaning of life. .....When she finished speaking, I had a strong desire to hug her, to feel her grace and her kindness. I ran up to her, ready to give her a friendly handshake or embrace her. Then I realized that she had become a Buddhist nun, and therefore no longer an ordinary friend. I stopped short as though suddenly numbed, and moved slowly and respectfully forward and made a low obeisance. She bowed and said softly, "Amitabfa!" .............. |