I met the monk clad in a yellow saffron robe
upon a lonely hill side in Tibet.
I was on my way on foot to the ferry crossing
He asked me politely what I was doing in Tibet
I told him that I am a seeker of truth
He looked at me with eyes that were worn
with time and wisdom and said “I have been waiting
for you”
He then led me into a little hut by the wayside
among some very beautiful blossomed trees.
Flowers lined both sides of the pathway to the door
inside was spartan, having the bare necessities
of survival namely, a stove, a table and two chairs and a wide deeply embroidery mat.
There was a bronze statue of the Buddha
surrounded with bright red flowers on an altar in the far side of the room
and the place smelled of incense.
I sat down on the blanket floor as he went over to the stove
where the steam of boiling water shook the cover
of the pot, he took two bowls from the shelf and filled them with steaming tea.
Offering me one, he said “ here, sip this, it will refresh you.”
He then sat down opposite me.
After a period of silence, again he asked, “So what brings you to Tibet?”
“I ponder the direction that man is heading, ” I replied taking a sip of the sweet tasting tea.
He looked at me steadily, then slowly shook his bald head
“not very good”, He said evenly, “I see history repeating itself sharply
a civilization on the verge of destruction if steps are not taken
quickly by the Great Powers to avoid disaster”
he continued after taking a sip,
There must be a unity among nations both East and West
Working for the good of ALL mankind, for all are One
All are involved ,All will be consumed !” a serious expression crossed his wrinkled face as he looked into my eyes. He paused a moment closed his eyes then continued,
“I see screaming men, women and children running to and fro for safety
as the indifferent bombs fall indiscriminately
upon the innocent
I see terror and fear
in the faces of people everywhere
As the screaming bombers swoop and discharging
Their cargo of whistling death on the innocent
I see rows of buildings crumbling
Amidst the smoke and dust
and the sound of sirens
Are everywhere.
The streets are strewn with blood and corpses
Of men, women and children.
He began to shiver, I became alarmed and told him to stop
“No”, he cried, “I, I must continue.I shiver because of the sight I am experiencing”
The awful stench of death is everywhere
A mixture of blood ,sweat and fear
“O Buddha, Save them! Save them!” He cried, he became very agitated and began swaying back and forth “You must stop ! Now!” I cried becoming anxious and concern
He turned to me and said “You must tell your people to stop their production of mass destruction Get rid of them ,it’s not too late and try to live in peace and harmony, for it is possible!, the great hour has yet to come”.
“The Great Hour ?” .I queried perplexed.
“Yes"he said calming down,to my relief, there will be a time ahead when peace shall reign through out the Earth but mankind has to work together to achieve it..there is strength in unity,all else is illusion! he got up, smiled and said “you must stay for the night, tomorrow I shall take you to the ferry crossing”.
The next morning he took me through some winding trails and said ”this is what you westerners call a short cut" and we both laughed.
I have no dought about the truth of unity. Any time I try to get this thought out people start talking about borders/ states and countries. They forget the whole. Great write.
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