by Shi Nai-An
Major Lu and the others went upstairs and sat down. Squire Chao said, "I wish to express my respect to you at this time. I have heard a great deal of your heroism and to-day Heaven has granted me this meeting."
"I am very stupid and am deserving death," said the major. "If you do not mind my poverty and misfortune, we shall become close friends, and if you have anything to do I shall be willing to serve you."
Squire Chao was much pleased and inquired about the murder. They chatted, and compared notes about fencing with lances. They drank wine to midnight, and then went to rest.
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The next day Squire Chao Yuan-wai remarked: "I do not consider this place is safe, so I decide to take you to my native village which is three miles from town." He sent a man to the village to bring a horse which Lu Ta mounted, and the farm servant was asked to carry the baggage. They took leave of Old Chin and his daughter, and as they rode abreast, they chatted. The next day Lu Ta said at a feast, "You are treating me well, and I am not able to return your kindness." Squire Chao replied, "Within the four seas all are brothers, so why mention 'returning the kindness'?"
Lu Ta stayed there for a week. One day Old Chin hurriedly arrived and told Lu Ta, "Benefactor, I have a suspicion, because of that affair the other day the neighbors talked about it, and yesterday four policemen came making inquiries. I am afraid that they will come here and arrest you."
Lu Ta said that he had better go, and Squire Chao replied, "I have another plan, I will find a peaceful retreat for you if you would agree to go." Lu Ta asked where that place was, and Squire Chao said, "About ten miles from here is a mountain called Wu Tai Shan, and on it is a temple called Wen Chu Temple. Previously there was an altar for the Wen Chu Pusa, and now there are about seven hundred priests in the temple. The abbot's name is Chih Chen, and he is a close friend of mine. An ancestor of mine endowed the temple. I once took the vow that I would subsidize a priest there. I have purchased the certificate, priest gown and alms bowl. I have no trusty person who would fulfill my wish, but if you would care to do so, I will arrange matters for you. Are you willing to have your hair cut off and become a priest?"
Lu Ta thought the matter over, "Now I must leave here; but where can I go? I had better do as you suggest." So he said, "I accept your offer and will become a priest. I have confidence in you." During the night they arranged matters, and prepared the clothes, traveling expenses, rolls of silk, and other gifts for the temple. They rose early the next morning and called servants to carry the articles. They started at seven o'clock and reached the foot of the mountain at eleven. There they engaged two sedan chairs to take them up the mountain, and the servant was sent in advance to announce their arrival. They were met at the temple by
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the manager and superintendent of that monastery, and were conducted to a pavilion outside the temple gate where the abbot came with his attendants to welcome them.
After a little while the abbot took them to his private room for tea. Abbot Chih Chen requested Squire Chao to take the seat of honor. Lu Ta took a priest's seat and sat down in a lower position. Chao leant over and whispered in Lu Ta's ear, "You have come here to become a priest. How can you sit down opposite to the abbot? "
"I do not understand their customs," said Lu Ta. He then rose and took his position at the side of the Squire. In front of them stood the chief priest, the Wei Na (attends to the discipline of the priest), the abbot's companion., the superintendent of the temple and his assistant, the guest's host, and the recorder, in order of rank. The servants brought in the box containing the gifts and placed it in front of the abbot, who said, "Why have you brought presents again? We have plenty of your donation in this monastery." The servants and the acolytes removed the gifts, and then Squire Chao stood up and said, "Previously I wished to subsidize a priest here. I had the certificate, but up to now I have not found the proper man. My cousin, Lu Ta, was a military official at Wei Chou, but he saw the misery of the present generation and has rejected the common lot. He begs the abbot to have mercy and receive him as a priest. I would prepare all the articles for him. I have great hopes that the abbot will satisfy his desire."
The abbot upon hearing this replied, "This will bring glory to our temple. It can be easily arranged." He then told the acolyte to serve tea which was done. After tea the abbot discussed with the Wei Na the question of cutting off Lu Ta's hair and making him a priest. He ordered the superintendent to supply the plain food for his fasting. He told all the other priests to be present to discuss the matter with their brothers. They did this, and the general opinion was that Lu Ta had not the appearance of a priest, and moreover his eyes looked cruel. They asked the guest's host to request Lu Ta to sit at another place, so that they could talk this
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matter over with the abbot. The host invited Squire Chao and Lu Ta to go with him to the guest chamber. The priests addressed the abbot, saying, "This man who wishes to become a priest has a repulsive and cruel appearance, and we cannot shave him. We are afraid afterwards our monastery will be disgraced."
The abbot answered, "He is a cousin of our donor Squire Chao so how dare we offend him? You should not suspect him; you can wait here and let me have a look at his feature." He then burn a stick of incense, placing it in the vase for that purpose. He sat down, cross-legged, in a priest's meditation and began to chant. When the stick of incense was finished, he returned to the other room, and said to the priests, "You may now shave his head. He is a representation of a heavenly star, and he is quite upright. At present he is cruel, but his future is favorable, and he will become pure. In the process of transmigration he has become uncommon, and is better than any of you. You must remember what I say and accept it."
The chief priest answered, "As you connive at his faults so we have no alternative but to obey. If we reprove him, then we are not obeying you." The abbot ordered the common food to be prepared, and invited Squire Chao and Lu Ta to dine with him. After the meal the superintendent opened the donations book, and Squire Chao gave some money, telling him to buy things necessary for a priest. In two days they were ready, and the abbot selected a lucky time and day, and at that time the bells and drums were beaten, and the priests assembled in the Great Hall. There were altogether about six hundred, wearing their surplices, and they knelt down in an attitude of prayer, in two rows, before the abbot's throne. Squire Chao brought silver paper money, and kotowed before the abbot. He stated the case clearly, and then the acolytes led in Lu Ta. The priest Wei Na told Lu Ta to remove his turban, let his hair down in nine plaits, and then fold it on the top of his head. The barber shaved the head all round including the mustache and beard. Lu Ta asked, "Would it not be better if you leave me just a little?'' Upon hearing this
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the assembled priests could not help laughing. The abbot from his throne addressed them, "Let all listen to this
'Shave him clean of every hair,
Leave not e'en a root,
Cleanly shave the young priest's head,
So no strife may shoot,”
The abbot exclaimed loudly, 'Shave it all off!' The barber took his knife, and shaved what was left. The abbot's Companion holding aloft the certificate brought it before the throne, and requested the abbot to bestow a new name. The abbot taking the certificate said,
"Priceless is the holy light,
Silver buys it not;
Buddha's laws are very broad,
Thy name is 'Wise and Deep.’”
The certificate was then handed to the recorder who completed the entries, and then gave it to Lu Ta. The abbot ordered that the priestly robes and the surplice be issued to the novitiate. The superintendent then conducted Lu Ta to the throne, and the abbot placed his hands on the new priest's head, saying: "First, you must conform to the laws of Buddhism; second, you must observe the rules of the order; third, you must be friendly to the priests. These are the three rules to obey, but there are also five prohibitions as follow
s: You must not take life, steal, be obscene, covet wine, or speak falsely." Lu Ta expressed his assent and said he would not forget them. Upon hearing this statement, the priests laughed.
After the ceremony Squire Chao invited all the priests to accompany him to the Cloud Hall where he burnt incense, and then dined with them. He gave presents to all the officials of the monastery. Lu Ta was conducted by the superintendent, and the priests all kotowed to him.
The following day Squire Chao wished to return home, and after breakfast a large number of priests accompanied him to the main entrance where after saluting he addressed them, "Let all display mercy. Your younger brother Wise and Deep (Chih Shen) is very stupid and he speaks foolishly. He does not understand etiquette, and
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may unintentionally break your rules. I request you to forgive his faults on my account."
"Never mind," replied the abbot. "I myself will teach him to read and chant the classics, and discuss the truth with him in the prayer hall."
Chao promised to recompense the kind treatment. He beckoned Lu Ta [1] to a fir tree where he said, "Worthy brother, from to-day your life will improve, but at all times you must not forget your weakness, and not be so confident of yourself. If there is any further trouble it will be difficult for us to see each other. So take care. By and by I will send a man with clothing for you." Lu Ta promised to follow his advice, and then Squire Chao took leave of the abbot and the crowd of priests. And down the mountain he departed. Lu Ta went to the priests' dormitory, and lay down to sleep. On either side of him was a priest, and they both pushed him; saying, "Get up! this won't do! As you have left home, why do you not sleep in a sitting positions?''
"I am going to sleep, and what is that to do with you?" answered Lu Ta. A priest exclaimed, "What a calamity!"
Lu Ta shouted, "Even a tortoise I shall eat; what calamity will there be?"
The priest replied, "Of course there will be a calamity." Lu Ta said, "A tortoise has a big belly, but the fat is sweet and nice to eat, so why should there be a calamity."
The priest took no more notice of him and let him sleep. The next day they wanted to report to the abbot that Lu Ta had been unreasonable: but the abbot's companion advised them not to interfere as the abbot would only protect him.
Lu Ta saw that nobody spoke to him and therefore every evening he went to rest; he lay aslant across the bed. During the night he snored like thunder, and made great noises. An attendant reported to the abbot that Lu Ta had bad manners and did not observe the customs of a priest. The abbot shouted, "Nonsense! You must not forget the donor. I expect there will be an improvement later." After this no one dared speak about Lu Ta.
Lu Ta lived at the Wu Tai Shan monastery for about five
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months without noticing the time pass, but upon winter coming he thought of leaving. At that time the weather was fine, so he wore a long black gown with a black belt, changed his priest's shoes, and walked down the hill. About halfway he sat down in an arbor and meditated, "What a glutton I am! Previously I liked good wine and meat, and never restrained my appetite. Now I have been trained as a priest, and I am hungry and thirsty. Squire Chao has not sent me any food for several days, and I feel ravenous. I should like some good wine." Just then he saw in the distance a young man carrying two buckets on a pole, and singing as he ascended the mountain path. The buckets were covered with lids. He had in his hand a bowl and sang:
On the battlefield of Chiu Li Shan,
A herdboy got a sword and spear
From the days of long ago;
A fair wind ruffles the waters near
Where the Black River sings the heroes' song
Of Hsiang Yu wife and her farewell woe.
Upon reaching the arbor the man put down his load, and Lu Ta asked what the buckets held and he was told it was wine. "What is the price for one bucket?" asked Lu Ta. "Mr. Priest, are you joking?" asked the man. "Why should I joke with you?" said Lu Ta. The man answered, "I am taking this wine up the mountain to sell it to the cooks, messengers, sedan-chair carriers, and other servants at the monastery. The abbot has given an order that if we sell any wine to a priest he will punish us, take our money, and expel us from the monastery. The abbot gave me the capital to buy the wine and I live in the monastery, so how dare I sell wine to you?”
“But why cannot you sell?" asked Lu Ta.
"Kill me and still I will not sell," replied the man.
"I won't kill you," said Lu Ta. "I am only asking you to sell the wine."
The man saw that trouble was brewing so, he picked up his load and walked away. Lu Ta quickly left the arbor, took hold of the carrying pole and kicked the man. The fellow clasped his hand over the injured part, crouched upon the ground, and did not rise for a long time. Lu Ta seized the two buckets of wine and took them into the arbor. He
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opened the buckets and ladling out the cold wine, drank it. In a little time he had drunk a bucketful of wine. Lu Ta spoke, "You come to the monastery to-morrow and demand the money. "
The man was now free from pain, but was afraid that the abbot would hear of the matter and punish him. He was angry but he suppressed his passion. He dared not ask for the money. He divided the remaining wine in the two buckets, shouldered his load, and flew down the mountain.
Lu Ta sat in the arbor for half the day, and the wine mounted to his head. He took off his gown and tied it round his waist by the sleeves, exposing his tattooed back. In this manner he went back up the hill, swinging his arms. As he neared the monastery, the gatekeepers saw him, and placed two bamboo boards across the entrance, and called out to him, "You are a disciple of Buddha, and yet you come here drunk. You are not blind; you have seen the order posted at the Treasury that priests are forbidden to drink wine, and if they disobey this they will receive forty blows with the bamboo, and be expelled from the monastery. If we allow you to enter in this state, we shall be punished with ten blows. Go away at once, and we will not say anything."
Although Lu Ta was now a priest, yet he had not changed his temper. He stared at them and cursed, "You robbers of women! If you hit me, I will fight you."
Seeing the danger of trouble, one of the gatekeepers ran to report the matter to the superintendent. Lu Ta knocked the bamboo boards to one side, slapped the gatekeeper's face, and stumbled forward. The gatekeeper attempted to stop him, but Lu Ta knocked him down. This was certainly disgraceful, but he stumbled forward into the courtyard. The superintendent had collected together about thirty servants, and armed them with white sticks. Upon meeting them, Lu Ta roared like a clash of thunder, and advanced with big strides. The servants seeing his fierce appearance hurriedly retreated to the storeroom and closed the two folding doors. Lu Ta struck the doors, and kicked until he forced the doors open. The men were cornered, and Lu Ta seizing a stick drove them out. The superintendent had reported the trouble to the abbot who taking his five
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attendants arrived on the scene and called out, "Lu Ta, you are making a mistake!"
Although Lu Ta was drunk, yet he recognized the abbot. He threw away the stick, and saluted. "I have had only two cups of wine. These men came and hit me."
"Pay attention!'' replied the abbot. "Go and sleep at once, and tell me about it to-morrow."
"I would kill you bald-headed donkeys but for the abbot," said Lu Ta.
The abbot ordered his attendants to assist Lu Ta to a bed in the dormitory, and upon reaching it he fell down, and was soon fast asleep and snoring. A crowd of priests now surrounded the abbot, saying, "We remonstrated with you before, and now this has happened. We object to this wildcat remaining here, as he will only upset our pure ways of life."
The abbot replied, "Though there is trouble now, there will be a different state of affairs afterwards. I have no alternative, but you will forgive him when you appreciate the influence of his donor. To-morrow I will tell him that I cannot tolerate such bad conduct, and that will end the matt
er."
"What an injudicious abbot!" jeered the priests. They all separated to their rest.
The next day after breakfast, the abbot sent his attendants to summon Lu Ta. He was not awake. They waited until he arose, and put on his long gown and he went with them. "Lu Ta," said the abbot, "you were previously a military person and were introduced here by Squire Chao, I have given you some instructions. You must not take life, nor steal, nor fornicate, nor drink wine, nor lie. These are the usual five prohibitions for priests: but the most important is that you should not drink wine. Why did you return drunk last night; strike the gatekeepers, break open the doors of the storeroom, drive out the servants, and generally misbehave yourself? Why did you do this?"
Lu Ta knelt, and replied, "I dare not do it again."
The abbot asked, "Why did you break out rule about drinking wine, and so broke our laws of purity. I should have expelled you from the monastery if it had not been for the good character of your benefactor Squire Chao. Hereafter you must not break our rules." Lu Ta arose, and clasping his hands said, "I certainly will not dare do that."
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The abbot then took him inside and ordered breakfast for them both. During the meat he gave him good advice, a priest's robe of fine cloth, and a pair of shoes, before dismissing him. When there is wine drinking, one must not go to excess. There is a common saying, "Matters can he settled or ruined by wine." Cowards drink wine; they can have Dutch courage, and muddle their affairs. But not the best natured men sometimes do this? After the drunken brawl Lu Ta dared not venture out of the monastery for three months. One February day the weather was very hot, and he strolled out of the priests' quarters standing outside the monastery gate, gazing and appreciating the beautiful view. Suddenly he heard the sound of knocks down the mountain carried upwards by the wind. He returned for some silver which he hid in his breast, and then slowly walked down the hill. At the bottom he saw a crowd of people attending a fair. There were butchers, greengrocers, wine and bread shops. He thought if he had known of this place earlier he would not have drunk the wine of the bucket, but have gone there for it. These few days he had felt depressed, so he decided to ascertain what eatables were procurable. He heard again the sound of knocking and he knew that it was iron being worked. He saw on the wall between two shops the characters for "The Fu Tzu Inn." One of the two was a blacksmith's shop in which three men were working, and Lu Ta asked them if they had good steel. The blacksmiths saw that Lu Ta had a short growth of beard which gave him a disagreeable appearance, and made them half afraid of him at first sight. They ceased work and said, "Master, please he seated. What kind of work have you for us?"