Monastery
[WORDS
FROM TAI YING/LIEN YING’S MASTER:
Don’t be in such a hurry, my
son, to follow the example of the majority. You understand nature: How many
eggs do the creatures of the earth and air lay? And how many of them survive? How
many people survive to old age? I know, I know--all the ones around you insist
you follow their examples, their ways. That’s their survival technique, you
know. It comes from the fear of knowing, of not deeply understanding that
they’re all just a natural trial experiment. We’re all of the same
consciousness; even when we’re seeds just out from our jade stem, we all think
we’re going the right direction. And how many of those make it to the goal?
Most of us die before our natural time; it’s not the majority that survives to
maturity. Very few know they’re here to extract the essence out of being alive;
fewer yet find out how. You can be a straw dog burnt like an effigy in the fire
of the Tao. Or you can extract the essence out of being human, and move on to
greater growth. Don’t lament the sacrifices of straw effigies, Eagle: the
choices were not yours.
[
It was 4:30
a.m., and Abbot Chan Da Moh had just finished singing his sutras/the Diamond
Sutra. The Abbot meditated in a half-lotus position, with one foot supported on
the opposite thigh, for a full hour before turning to the novices.
We are forever in the debt
of our spiritual masters who provided us with the means to refine our character
blah blah. However, we have an even older obligation to a particular secular
group of men, men who sought to hone their fires of their characters and
spirits on the iron anvils of experience in the world.
“The disciplines which they devised over the
last four thousand years came to be known as the deepest, most profound well-spring
of applied training for warriors and kings. This most ancient caste of
disciplined men was the Ksatreya of Indian. If we hope to understand the
Katrina code, goals and methods, we’re obligated to research the old ones to
the best of our abilities.
“While it is obviously very good to refer to
sacred scriptures for such research, it is even better to communicate directly
with the old masters. Sacred scriptures such as the Vedas, the Bible, the Koran
and the Sutras of course provide insights as to how higher moral codes may be
applied to everyday living.
“The Vedas recount the challenges of early
Indians in their journey of self-evolution, just as the recorded words of other
Awakened Ones testify to their own growth. Within its role as spiritual advisor,
the Vedas often considered the ethics of warfare, reaching conclusion that
clearly established the spiritual potential within warriorhood.” The Abbot
paused to gather his breath, look inward, and sink his gather chi to his lower
abdomen. The acolytes attention remained riveted to the old man in that silent
hall.
“Of course these ancient sages were referring
to the intensely illuminating experiences of looking into the polished mirror
of the self when locked in combat eyeball-to-eyeball—hardly comparable to the
barbarism of remote dispassionate carnage sought by modern technology, with
soldiers pulling triggers and lanyards to kill anyone from a far and impersonal
distance.
“As students of the ancient arts, you need to
acknowledge a fundamental truth inherent to your training: The heightened
awareness that we forge with our self-disciplines furthers development of Self
as well as all sentient beings. This is not easily understood by those who are
not involved in the training or by those who are guided through life by the
question, ‘Where’s the money in that?’
“Fundamental truths and time-tested
conclusions were manifested and codified within the Ksatreya caste. Trained
from infancy in armed and unarmed martial arts, as well as in spiritual
practices, the Ksyatreya studied all available literature, history, religion
and philosophy. Tests and exams in these fields of learning were required
before membership into the martial brotherhood was proffered. You, little
brothers, will meet these same ancient standards.
“The ancient Mahabarata literature puts forth
the strict ethical conduct of the Ksatreya:
‘Those who attack by the use of words should
only be fought with words.
‘One should strike only after giving due
notice.
‘A noble warrior should only fight his equal
in battle.
‘A noble warrior would not strike one who is
tired, weeping, unwilling to fight, ill, or one who cries surrender.
‘A noble warrior defends all who have
surrendered, even an enemy.
‘In battle, the noble warrior does not strike
one who is in conference with another, one who is panicked, or one who is
unprepared for battle.
‘It is the noble warrior’s duty to fight
under the principle of “righteous conquest,” for the righting of wrongs or
injustices, regardless of whom the transgressors might be.’”
Ishi’s attention level soared with this last
principle, and led him into possibilities of action he hadn’t thought of
before. What if he could convince some of his brothers to help him fight?
Surely the Abbot would see the righteousness of his cause?
“The inner teachings (The Voice of Lightning)
of the noble warriors of India were considered so sacred that only persons of
high moral character were worthy students. Vajramukti is the name by which we
call our art: literally, “Striking to the heart of the matter,” or “Living
without illusion.” But when the teachings are applied in combat, Vajramukti is
known as ‘Thunderbolt Hands.’
“I said earlier that it’s best to speak directly with these ancient ones for their guidance. How may we accomplish such a seemingly impossible task? The answer lies in the moment-to-moment process of daily training.”
With this enigmatic statement Chan Da Moh
closed his mouth, stood up off his meditation dais, and left the hall through a
rear door.
The acolytes bowed him out and turned to pay attention three giant men who approached from the other end of the Hall. They were solid men, with a centered calm that makes unconfident men nervous. They were the head martial monks, and it was the first day of training for the novices.