It is the regret you will come to have. (2)
Staring at the tent located in an isolated place, a hint of anxiety appeared on the faces of the Five Swords.
“….What could they be talking about?”
“Who knows.”
Yoon Jong, who was looking intently at the faint light leaking out, sighed.
“Anything, really. Maybe giving him some advice?”
“Advice?”
“Since he’s the Dalai Lama.”
“…”
“Even if their paths differ, after all, in accordance to the Buddhist teachings, he’s revered as the Living Buddha, isn’t he? If someone like that came all the way here personally, he must have had something he wanted to say to Chung Myung.”
Jo Geol subtly furrowed his brows.
“A Living Buddha… I’ve thought this before, but… can we really believe that?”
“…”
“Yes? Monk Hye Yeon, what do you think?”
“Why are you suddenly asking me… Potala Palace and Shaolin are different sects.”
Hye Yeon blushed in embarrassment.
“But still, it’s the same Buddhist way, right? You’d know better than us. Even if the path we follow is different from that of Wudang, we still understand the teachings of Wudang better than Monk Hye Yeon does.”
“Geol-ah, I think Monk Hye Yeon probably understands Wudang’s teachings better than you.”
“I think so too.”
“Me too.”
“You guys, seriously…”
Jo Geol growled like an angry puppy. Hye Yeon let out a short sigh.
‘A Living Buddha…’
According to Potala Palace, the Dalai Lama is an existence that lives eternally experiencing endless reincarnations. It is even said that after being reborn, he retains all the memories of his past lives.
If that is true…
“If the Dalai Lama truly reincarnates while retaining the memories of his past lives, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to call him a Buddha. It’s something ordinary people cannot do.”
“Ah…”
At Hye Yeon’s words, Yoon Jong gasped with a surprised expression.
It was said that the Buddhist sects of the Central Plains and Potala Palace kept each other at a subtle distance. Nevertheless, Hye Yeon seemed to acknowledge the existence of the Dalai Lama.
But at that moment, Hye Yeon opened his mouth with a clearly hesitant expression.
“However… if that’s the case, it might actually be a cause for concern.”
“Huh?”
Yoon Jong asked back with a puzzled face.
“Why is that?”
“Do you… know what the Buddhist scriptures are?”
Yoon Jong hesitated, unable to answer immediately. Jo Geol, on the other hand, flared up, his face twisting in anger.
“Hey, Monk. There’s a limit to underestimating people! What is it? Aren’t they the books that contain recordings of the Buddhist teachings? The ones you study and research. In Taoism, they’d be Taoist scriptures.”
As Jo Geol answered confidently, Hye Yeon slowly nodded.
“That is correct, Jo Geol Dojang.”
As Jo Geol was about to click his tongue to say, ‘As if I wouldn’t know that,’ Hye Yeon continued.
“And that is the problem.”
“…What?”
With a blank expression Jo Geol tilted his head. Hye Yeon gently closed his eyes and sighed.
“The Buddhist scriptures are what Buddhists must study. But what’s written inside is nothing but the words of Siddhartha Gautama [석가 釋迦(牟尼) or Shakyamuni and etc*].”
“…So what about that?”
“If one fully understands the words of Siddhartha Gautama, anyone can become a Buddha [부처**]. But in reality, that’s not the case. In other words, it means that no one has properly understood his words, and that’s why they’ve been studied repeatedly over hundreds of years.”
Jo Geol asked with a somewhat overwhelmed expression.
“…Are you saying all those numerous scriptures are entirely the Buddha’s words?”
“The reason the number of scriptures has increased is because Siddhartha Gautama’s words are so profound that countless people have added interpretations through long years of study.”
“Well…”
Jo Geol couldn’t help but feel bewildered. Taoist scriptures hadn’t come into being in that way, so it was an unexpected point.
“But why is that a cause for concern?”
Hye Yeon cast a deep, serious gaze towards Yoon Jong.
“As I have said, ordinary people cannot understand Siddhartha Gautama’s words even after hearing them. Even if they somehow think they understand, it’s almost impossible to grasp the profound true meaning hidden within.”
“…”
“But surely Siddhartha Gautama wouldn’t have been reluctant to teach and save sentient beings, would he?”
“…That wouldn’t be the case.”
Hye Yeon nodded emphatically.
“Yes. He did his utmost to convey and teach what he knew. But… it’s just that the foolish sentient beings couldn’t understand his noble intentions. That means…”
Yoon Jong’s eyes trembled slightly. He understood what Hye Yeon was trying to say.
“If the Dalai Lama is truly no different from a Living Buddha, as they say…”
A deep concern was evident in Hye Yeon’s voice.
“The meaning contained in his words is probably beyond what we can dare to comprehend. Even if the one he’s speaking to is Chung Myung Dojang.”
Hye Yeon closed his eyes and assumed the one-arm-bow stance***. A somewhat weary expression appeared on his face.
“Amitabha…”
Could those words get through to Chung Myung just because it’s him? No, perhaps precisely because it’s him, they might not.
The Chung Myung that Hye Yeon knows is like an embodiment of humanity itself: full of desire yet compassionate, turbulent yet serene.
Therefore, words discussing the principles of the world rather than human reasoning would be even less likely to reach Chung Myung’s ears.
‘Siju.’
Hye Yeon could only wish.
That this conversation would leave something, anything, with Chung Myung.
He just hoped that its traces wouldn’t become another source of confusion for him, who even now walks alone on a thorny path.
❀ ❀ ❀
“Don’t kill him? The one I hate the most?”
“Om Mani Padme Hum.”
After briefly reciting the mantra, the Dalai Lama nodded.
“Yes, that is what I am telling you.”
“Ha…….”
Chung Myung looked at the Dalai Lama with an expression of sheer disbelief and let out an exasperated sigh. So this is what he had to say…
“Even if he’s an evil being?”
“…”
“Even if he has led countless people to their deaths? Even if keeping him alive will push more people into hell?”
“…”
“You’re telling me to keep him alive without any plan?”
“That is correct, Siju.”
Chung Myung chuckled, his shoulders shaking with laughter. Anyone could tell that this laughter did not stem from goodwill.
Without completely wiping off his smile, Chung Myung sneered.
“Is this the so-called great mercy of Buddha?”
“……That is not the case.”
“Oh, or is it some prophecy from someone who has seen the future?”
The Dalai Lama shook his head.
“I cannot see the future. Regardless of what the world calls me, I am merely a humble ascetic [수행자 – suhaengja] trapped in a frail human body.”
Chung Myung gritted his teeth.
“Then what is the reason you’re spouting such nonsense?”
“Siju…”
“Shut your mouth.”
Chung Myung suddenly reached out and grabbed the tent, as if he might twist and tear it down at any moment.
“If you had eyes, you would have seen. If you had ears, you would have heard! What that bastard has done!”
“…”
“Can you spout such words even after seeing all the corpses along the way here? It seems the anguished cries of those people don’t reach your great Buddha at all!”
The Dalai Lama lowered his trembling eyelashes and recited a mantra.
“How could it not be heartbreaking and pitiful? So it is with all things. With everything.”
“…”
“I pity all beings wandering the sea of suffering. But, Siju, please accept my words as they are. I am telling you this to prevent a greater catastrophe.”
Chung Myung glared at the Dalai Lama as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“Do you know who it is that I hate?”
“I know.”
“And yet you tell me to spare him? Why? Because the Heavenly Demon has come back to life, so we should join hands and stand against him together? Are you telling me to forget everything that’s happened and happily join forces with him?”
Now Chung Myung’s sarcasm was closer to overflowing rage than mere mockery.
“Siju.”
“What on earth do you take him for…?”
“I will say it once more. You must accept my words as they are.”
The Dalai Lama opened and closed his mouth several times. His movements clearly showed his frustration.
“I… I have clearly told you what I wish to discuss. I am not talking about the world or the devil [마귀 – magwi – devil, demon, even Satan].”
The Dalai Lama looked directly at Chung Myung and spoke in a distinctive voice.
“What I am discussing is you, Siju. Do not forget that.”
“…What are you saying?”
“Once again…….”
However, at that moment, the Dalai Lama’s face turned pale, losing all color.
“Master! Are you all right?”
Panchen Lama hurriedly supported the Dalai Lama. But the Dalai Lama gently yet firmly pushed him away.
“I’m fine.”
“But…”
“Truly, I am fine.”
Unable to insist further, Panchen Lama reluctantly stepped back. After calming himself with a few mantras, the Dalai Lama looked at Chung Myung again.
“As one who is bound [restrained/meaning by his situation], this is all I can do.”
“…”
“Please remember. All of this is solely for your sake, Siju.”
The intention was clearly conveyed.
Chung Myung understood as well. Though what this man was saying was absurd and nonsensical, at least it stemmed from goodwill towards him.
But…
“In that case, you too – or rather, you as well – remember this.”
“…”
“I will kill him.”
“…”
“But it’s not because I hate him.”
A strange light flickered in the Dalai Lama’s eyes.
“Because it’s not right to let someone who has committed such sins live. Those who plunge people into misery just by being alive must be eliminated. Even if that means breaking the ‘prohibition against killing****’ that you speak of.”
“…”
“Sometimes, sternness can be a greater act of compassion. Therefore, those who bear responsibility must not hesitate. They must fully bear that weight themselves.”
As Chung Myung continued speaking, there wasn’t the slightest wavering in his gaze.
“That’s our way, not yours, and this is what I’ve learned. So I won’t hesitate. No matter what people say in the process, no matter what consequences my actions bring.”
The Dalai Lama’s gaze darkened as if sinking deeply.
“……What you’ve learned.”
“Yes.”
He then brought his hands together and bowed respectfully towards Chung Myung.
“I was being rude.”
“…”
“What you have learned, practiced, and are building is no less than our own path, but I let a moment of impatience get the better of me and spoke words without understanding. Please forgive me.”
Chung Myung did not reply. The Dalai Lama hesitated for a moment and then closed his eyes.
“And… if you have made up your mind, please steel your heart. Both suffering and regret in human life are all dependent on the heart. If you turn your head, you may find the other shore [피안(彼岸) – paramita – the way to enlightenment].”
The Dalai Lama dusted himself off, stood up, and offered Chung Myung a final bow.
“Then.”
With steps showing not the slightest regret, he walked out of the tent.
“Master!”
Panchen Lama, who was about to chase after him in confusion, hesitated and looked back at Chung Myung.
“Please do not simply regard this as rudeness, Siju.”
“…”
“It may be difficult to understand, but Master is sacrificing much to live within confines of human body. That is why he cannot fully express what he thinks.”
Chung Myung stared at Panchen Lama with a piercing gaze but offered no response.
“However, since it was something Master wished to convey, there must be a reason. Please do not forget this.”
Panchen Lama bowed respectfully and followed the Dalai Lama out of the tent.
Once again Chung Myung was left alone in the tent, the flickering candle casting its shadow over his face… The darkness that enveloped half his face gradually deepened.
“……Regret, you say.”
A subdued voice resonated softly. The koan [화두*****] the Dalai Lama had presented was wrapping around Chung Myung.
“Utter nonsense……”
After mulling it over briefly, Chung Myung firmly shook his head.
No matter how great the Dalai Lama was – even if he were truly a Buddha – it didn’t matter.
Because what he follows is neither the words of Buddha nor the splendor of Dharma.
What he has protected and what he must continue to uphold are already firmly engraved in his heart.
That teaching will guide Chung Myung.
‘Isn’t that right, Sect Leader Sahyeong?’
Chung Mun offered him no answer.
________
*Here Hye Yeon specifically says 석가 here which refers to the Buddha as Siddhartha Gautama, who was the awaked one and a presumed founder of Buddhism, as far as I understood. More about him in wikipedia.
**부처 refers to ‘any enlightened being’ who essentially became Buddha through enlightenment. In contrast to specific Buddha 석가 who is the founder. So that’s the difference between two words and why Hye Yeon uses them both.
***In Shaolin and Chan Buddhist traditions, there is a symbolic gesture involving one arm that aligns with martial and meditation practices, paying homage to Bodhidharma’s association with Shaolin and the martial discipline there (Bodhidharma is the one who cut off his arm). It was mentioned somewhere in the novel before.
****살계(殺戒) – salgye – (Buddhism) prohibition against killing.
*****화두 – 話頭 – a riddle with no solution, used to provoke reflection on the inadequacy of logical reasoning, and to lead to enlightenment. Applies to zen buddhism.
________
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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