Snow in August by Gao Xingjian Page B

to the Master to make accessible to all the door to the truth of the Dharma , to choose an auspicious hour and date to lecture on the Maha Prajnaparamita Sutra of the Mahayana School. On the same day let there be a magnificent ceremony, and let the pulpit be opened to receive all believers, encompassing monks or laymen, so that all the people will be delivered from their sufferings! The messenger is awaiting your reply by his horse. What, may I ask, is the Master’s wish?
    Huineng:
    It is my destiny that has brought me here. Let us choose a day so that we can combine the two lectures into one.
    Yinzong:
    Messenger, please convey the Master’s wish to Prefect Wei.
     
    [ Exit Messenger. “Small drum” drum beat. Clip clop sound fades .
     
    Huineng:
    Let’s call it a day. ( Stands up .)
    Yinzong:
    Let us all retire to our rooms to ponder on the question the Master has just asked. In this way his effort will not have been wasted and we will all benefit from his enlightening lecture.
     
    [ The monks get up and look at one another. Exit. Enter Shenhui .
     
    Shenhui:
    What’s this? It’s all done? But I only went to pee! What did the monk talk about? What kind of Dharma is this?
    Discipline Teacher:
    What do you think?
    Shenhui:
    I knew it. If it wasn’t the same old Buddha in the sutra, the stuff we’ve been chanting day in, day out?
    Discipline Teacher:
    You garbage mouth! Hold your tongue! You’ve violated the rules of the temple. Give him a few smacks on the bottom! Master Huineng, do not spoil him!
    Huineng:
    ( Yells .)
    I’ve told you clearly that the Dharma has no name. How did you come up with a name?
    Shenhui:
    The monk asked me, so I had to give it a name. If he hadn’t asked about it, then it wouldn’t have to have a name.
    Huineng:
    ( Hits Shenhui with a club .)
    Let me give you a thump with my club! Did you feel the pain?
    Shenhui:
    Yes and no.
    Huineng:
    Where was the pain?
    Shenhui:
    My bottom.
    Huineng:
    Where was there no pain?
    Shenhui:
    The club.
    Yinzong:
    Do not bother the Master any longer. Go! Go!
    Huineng:
    What’s his name, this naughty little kid?
    Yinzong:
    His name is Shenhui. He has come here to learn the sutra and the disciplines. Let me ask him to leave the temple then.
    Huineng:
    Let him stay. My feet are not well. Keep him by my side to look after me.
    Yinzong:
    Holiness, where would you like to take up your residence?
    Huineng:
    This temple is right next to the city centre. Whatever happens here, the officials will surely know about it. If I stay, the temple will lose its peace and quiet. I’m used to living in the mountains, so I think I’d better return there.
    Yinzong:
    Does the Master have any specific place to go? I’ll have to report to the Prefect on your whereabouts.
    Huineng:
    After the Dharma gathering, I’ll likely go back to the mountains in Caoxi in Shao Prefecture. I stayed there for some time before, it seems that I still need to be there to complete my destiny with the place.
     
    [ Exit both. The faint ringing of a bell can be heard coming from backstage. Silhouette of the back of Boundless Treasure appears .
    Enter Singsong Girl amid music, singing from the orchestra pit downstage .
     
    Singsong Girl:
    ( Sings .)
    A beautiful body,
    A load of memories,
    A story hidden in the bottom of the heart,
    Only to recall but not to tell.
    Boundless Treasure is you,
    Boundless Treasure is me.
    Walking, walking, keep on walking,
    Who can understand the profound meaning?
     
    [ Huineng is seen in the pulpit wearing the Dharma robe. Silhouette of Boundless Treasure disappears. Enter Crowd .
     
    Huineng:
    ( Lectures .)
    Learned men and women!
    All humans inherently possess the wisdom of Bodhi Prajna , but due to the delusions in their minds, they fail to achieve enlightenment by themselves.
    As for my way to enlightenment, its aim is no thought, its essence is no form, and its foundation no attachment.
    What do we mean by no form? It is that when you are in the world of