Читать книгу Water Margin - Shi Naian - Страница 15

CHAPTER 3

Zhao Yuanwai Rebuilds Wenshu Monastery; Lu Da Makes a Row at Mount Wutai

WHEN Lu Da turned round he saw that it was Old Jin of the wine shop at Weizhou who was pulling him. They went to a quiet spot where the old man said, “Benefactor! You are too brave! That proclamation orders your arrest, and yet you go to look at it. If I had not seen you, you might have been recognized by a minor official.”

“I will tell you the truth,” said Lu Da, “because of your affair I killed the Bully, and I have been wandering about for fifty days, and did not plan to come here. Why did you not return to Kaifeng as it was arranged?”

“My superior benefactor!” said Old Jin. “On the day you saved me I hired a cart, and left with the intention of returning to Kaifeng, but on the way I met an old neighbor of ours who was coming here to do business as a merchant, and he brought us here. Fortunately, he arranged a marriage for my daughter with a wealthy man, Zhao Yuanwai,54 who kept her as a concubine. My daughter is always telling him of your benevolence, and he says that he would like to meet you. Let us go and see them now.”

They went about half a li to the house of Zhao where Old Jin lifted the curtain in front of the door, and called out, “Daughter, our benefactor has arrived.”

She came outside and invited Lu Da to enter and sit down. She then gave him six salutations, and asked them to go upstairs. He wished to leave, but Old Jin took his staff and bundle, and said to his daughter, “Please take our benefactor upstairs, and I will go to arrange the food.” He then went with a servant, and bought some fresh fish, a tender chicken, a goose cured in wine, and some pickled fish. Upon returning he had these cooked and taken upstairs. The girl servant brought the hot wine in a silver pot and father and daughter took it in turn to fill up Lu Da’s cup. Old Jin knelt and made his obeisance. “Why do you pay me such respect?” exclaimed Major Lu Da, “you lessen my prospects in life.” “Benefactor, please listen, I have been here a short time but I wrote your name on a piece of red paper, and every morning I burn a stick of incense and made obeisance to it. Now that you are here in person why should I not do the same to you?”

In the evening they heard a noise below. Major Lu then opened the window, and looked down; he saw about thirty men armed with wooden sticks and cudgels, who were calling out, “Bring down the man from upstairs.” Among them was an official on horseback who was shouting, “I do not want this thief to escape.” Upon hearing this Lu Da took a stool and was going to dash down to fight. Old Jin called, “You need not fight about this.” He then descended and went to the official, and spoke to him a few words. The official laughed and dismissed the men. He dismounted and went indoors. Old Jin requested Major Lu Da to come down. The official was Zhao Yuanwai who knelt, kowtowed, saying, “To learn of your name is not so good as to see your face; to see your face is better than knowing your name. Famous Major, please receive my obeisances.”

Lu Da asked Old Jin, “Who is this person? We are not acquainted, why does he make obeisance?” “This is my daughter’s husband,” replied Old Jin. “He suspected that I had brought an outsider here to drink wine, therefore he brought his servants to beat him. When I told him the truth he sent his men away.”

Major Lu and the others went upstairs and sat down. Zhao Yuanwai said, “I wish to express my respect to you at this time. I have heard a great deal of your heroism and today 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.”

Zhao Yuanwai 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.

The next day Zhao Yuanwai remarked: “I do not consider this place is safe, so I decided to take you to my native village which is three li from town.” He sent a man to the village to bring a horse which Lu Da mounted, and the farm servant was asked to carry the baggage. They took leave of Old Jin and his daughter, and as they rode abreast, they chatted. The next day Lu Da said, at a feast, “You are treating me well, and I am not able to return your kindness.” Zhao Yuanwai replied, “Within the four seas all men are brothers, so why mention ‘returning the kindness’?”

Lu Da stayed there for a week. One day Old Jin hurriedly arrived and told Lu Da, “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 Da said that he had better go, and Zhao Yuanwai replied, “I have another plan, I will find a peaceful retreat for you if you would agree to go.” Lu Da asked where that place was, and Zhao Yuanwai said, “About ten li from here is a mountain called Mount Wutai, and on it is a monastery called Wenshu Monastery. This was the earthly abode of the Bodhisatva Wenshu, and now there are about seven hundred monks in the monastery. The Abbot’s name is Zhi Zhen, and he is a close friend of mine. An ancestor of mine endowed the monastery. I once took the vow that I would subsidize a monk there. I have purchased the certificate, monk’s 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 monk?”

Lu Da 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 monk. 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 monastery by 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 Zhi Zhen requested Zhao Yuanwai to take the seat of honor. Lu Da took a monk’s seat and sat down in a lower position. Zhao leant over and whispered in Lu Da’s ear, “You have come here to become a monk. How can you sit down opposite to the Abbot?”

“I do not understand their customs,” said Lu Da. He then rose and took his position at the side of the Squire. In front of them stood the chief monk, the Wei Na, the abbot’s assistant, the superintendent of the temple and his assistant, the guest’s host, and the scribe, 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 donations in this monastery.” The servants and the acolytes removed the gifts, and then Zhao Yuanwai stood up and said, “Previously I wished to subsidize a monk here. I had the certificate, but up to now I have not found the proper man. My cousin, Lu Da, was a military officer at Weizhou, 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 monk. 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 monastery. 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 Da’s hair and making him a monk. He ordered the superintendent to supply the plain food for his fasting. He told all the other monks to be present to discuss the matter with their brothers. They did this, and the general opinion was that Lu Da had not the appearance of a monk, and moreover his eyes looked cruel. They asked the guest’s host to request Lu Da to sit at another place, so that they could talk this matter over with the Abbot. The host invited Zhao Yuanwai and Lu Da to go with him to the guest chamber. The monks addressed the Abbot, saying, “This man who wishes to become a monk 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 Zhao Yuanwai so how dare we offend him? You should not suspect him; you can wait here and let me have a look at his features.” He then burn a stick of incense, placing it in the vase for that purpose. He sat down, cross-legged, in a monk’s meditation and began to chant. When the stick of incense was finished, he returned to the other room, and said to the monks, “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 monk 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 Zhao Yuanwai and Lu Da to dine with him. After the meal the superintendent opened the donations book, and Zhao Yuanwai gave some money, telling him to buy things necessary for a monk. 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 monks 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. Zhao Yuanwai brought silver paper money, and kowtowed before the Abbot. He stated the case clearly, and then the acolytes led in Lu Da. The Wei Na told Lu Da to remove his hat, 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 Da asked, “Would it not be better if you leave me just a little?” Upon hearing this the assembled monks 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 monk’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 assistant 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 Da. The Abbot ordered that the priestly robes and the surplice be issued to the novitiate. The superintendent then conducted Lu Da to the throne, and the Abbot placed his hands on the new monk’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 monks. These are the three rules to obey, but there are also five prohibitions as follows: You must not take life, steal, fornicate, covet wine, or speak falsely.” Lu Da expressed his assent, and said he would not forget them. Upon hearing this statement, the monks laughed.

After the ceremony Zhao Yuanwai invited all the monks 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 Da was conducted by the superintendent, and the monks all kowtowed to him.

The following day Zhao Yuanwai wished to return home, and after breakfast a large number of monks accompanied him to the main entrance where after saluting he addressed them, “Let all display mercy. Your younger brother ‘Wise and Deep’ (Zhishen) is very stupid and he speaks foolishly. He does not understand etiquette, and 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.”

Zhao promised to recompense the kind treatment. He beckoned Lu Da to a fir tree where he said, “Worthy brother, from today 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 Da promised to follow his advice, and then Zhao Yuanwai took leave of the Abbot and the crowd of monks. And down the mountain he departed. Lu Da went to the monks’ dormitory, and lay down to sleep. On either side of him was a monk, 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 position?”

“I am going to sleep, and what is that to do with you?” answered Lu Da. A monk exclaimed, “What a calamity!”

Lu Da shouted, “Even a tortoise I shall eat; what calamity will there be?”

The monk replied, “Of course there will be a calamity.” Lu Da said, “A tortoise has a big belly, but the fat is sweet and nice to eat, so why should there be a calamity.”

The monks took no more notice of him and let him sleep. The next day they wanted to report to the Abbot that Lu Da had been unreasonable: but the abbot’s assistant advised them not to interfere as the Abbot would only protect him.

Lu Da 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. He pissed and shit behind one of the halls. An attendant reported to the Abbot that Lu Da had bad manners and did not observe the customs of a monk. 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 Da.

Lu Da lived at the Mount Wutai monastery for about five 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 monk’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 monk, and I am hungry and thirsty. Zhao Yuanwai 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 Mount Jiuli,

A herdboy got a sword and spear

From the days of long ago;

A fair wind ruffles the waters near

Where the River Wu sings the heroes’ song

Of Xiang Yu’s wife and her farewell woe.

Upon reaching the arbor the man put down his load, and Lu Da asked what the buckets held and he was told it was wine. “What is the price for one bucket?” asked Lu Da. “Reverend, are you joking?” asked the man. “Why should I joke with you?” said Lu Da. 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 monk 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 Da.

“Kill me and still I will not sell,” replied the man.

“I won’t kill you,” said Lu Da. “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 Da quickly left the arbor, took hold of the carrying pole, and kicked the man in the groin. The fellow clasped his hand over the injured part, crouched upon the ground, and did not rise for a long time. Lu Da seized the two buckets of wine and took them into the arbor. He opened the buckets and ladling out the cold wine, drank it. In a little time he had drunk a bucketful of wine. Lu Da spoke, “You come to the monastery tomorrow 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 Da 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 monks 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 Da was now a monk, yet he had not changed his temper. He stared at them and cursed, “You thieving bastards! 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 Da knocked the bamboo boards to one side, slapped the gatekeeper’s face, and stumbled forward. The gatekeeper attempted to stop him, but Lu Da 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 Da 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 Da struck the doors, and kicked until he forced the doors open. The men were cornered, and Lu Da seizing a stick drove them out. The superintendent had reported the trouble to the Abbot who taking his five attendants arrived on the scene and called out, “Lu Da, you are making a mistake!”

Although Lu Da 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 tomorrow.”

“I would kill you bald-headed donkeys but for the Abbot,” said Lu Da.

The Abbot ordered his attendants to assist Lu Da to a bed in the dormitory, and upon reaching it he fell down, and was soon fast asleep and snoring. A crowd of monks now surrounded the Abbot, saying, “We remonstrated with you before, and now this has happened. We object to this wild cat 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. Tomorrow I will tell him that I cannot tolerate such bad conduct, and that will end the matter.”

“What an injudicious Abbot!” jeered the monks. They all separated to their rest.

The next day after breakfast, the Abbot sent his attendants to summon Lu Da. He was not awake. They waited until he arose, and put on his long gown. Suddenly he dashed out to the surprise of the attendants. Following, they found Lu Da pissing behind the temple. When he had finished he went with them to the Abbot. “Lu Da,” said the Abbot, “you were previously a military man and were introduced here by Zhao Yuanwai, 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 monks: 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 Da knelt, and replied, “I dare not do it again.”

The Abbot asked, “Why did you break our 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 Zhao Yuanwai. Hereafter you must not break our rules.” Lu Da arose, and clasping his hands said, “I certainly will not dare do that.”

The Abbot then took him inside and ordered breakfast for them both. During the meal he gave him good advice, a monk’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 be settled or ruined by wine.’ Cowards drink wine; they can have false courage, and muddle their affairs. But what does it do to the bold and impetuous?” After the drunken brawl Lu Da dared not venture out of the monastery for three months. One day in the second lunar month, the weather was very hot, and he strolled out of the monks’ 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 Father and Son Inn.” One of the two was a blacksmith’s shop in which three men were working, and Lu Da asked them if they had good steel. The blacksmiths saw that Lu Da 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, “Reverend, please be seated. What kind of work have you for us?”

“I want you to make an iron staff and a broad sword,” said Lu Da. “I did not know you have such good steel here.”

A blacksmith answered, “We have good steel here; you had better give us the order, for we do not yet know how heavy you want them.”

“I need a staff weighing one hundred jin,” said Lu Da.

The blacksmith laughed, saying, “Very heavy, master. I am afraid we cannot do it: but even if we could, perhaps you could not use it. The great halberd used by Guan Gong was only eighty-one jin.”

“I am not as good as Guan Gong, but he was only a man,” said Lu Da.

“According to my idea, a staff of say sixty-two jin will be heavy enough.”

“Now according to your account of Guan Gong’s great halberd, make me one of eighty-one jin,” said Lu Da.

“Reverend, it will be very big. It will not look well, and will be inconvenient to use. I think it would be better to make one of sixty-two jin, and have it brightly polished. But if you cannot use it, do not blame me. As you have decided upon it, we need not go into details: we will use the best iron and make it here.”

“How much do you want for making them?” asked Lu Da.

“Not more than five taels of silver,” replied the blacksmith.

“I will accept your word, so here is the money,” said Lu Da. “If it is well made I will give you extra money.” The blacksmith received the money, and said, “It shall be done at once.”

Lu Da walked a short distance from the shop and saw the signboard of a wine shop. He lifted the curtain at the door, entered, and sat down. He tapped on the table, calling for wine.

“Excuse me, Reverend,” said the innkeeper, “this wine shop belongs to the monastery, which furnished the capital. The Abbot controls our affairs and does not like us to sell wine to men from his monastery, but should we do so, he would expel us, so do not consider it impolite if we cannot supply you.”

“Never mind that.” replied Lu Da, “you can sell me some wine and I will not say a word about it.”

“I cannot do that,” answered the innkeeper. “Please go to another place and don’t think us rude.”

Lu Da rose, saying, “I will go and will not talk further with you.” Going out a few paces, he saw a flag over the door of a wine shop. He entered, sat down and called for wine. “Reverend, you evidently do not understand that the Abbot controls our affairs, and so by coming here you endanger our livelihood.”

Lu Da was determined to have wine but he knew that they would not sell any. He tried some more shops with the same result. In the distance he saw a broom hanging in front of a house which was situated in a cluster of the apricot trees. Upon approaching he found it was a small inn just outside the village. He went in and sat down near the window, calling, “Innkeeper, I am a stranger here and I want a cup of wine.”

The proprietor looked at him carefully, “Reverend, where do you come from?”

“I am a traveling monk, and I happened to pass here.” “If you are from the monastery at Mount Wutai, I cannot sell you any wine.”

“I do not come from there. Bring me some wine quickly.”

The proprietor saw that Lu Da had the manner and speech of another district, so asked how much wine he wanted. “Bring me a large cup of warm wine,” said Lu Da. “What meat can I have with it?”

“This morning I had some beef, but it is now all finished.”

Lu Da could smell the meat which was being cooked, so going outside he saw along the wall an earthen boiler, containing dog’s flesh. He said, “Why don’t you sell me this?”

“I was afraid that a monk may not eat the dog’s flesh.”

“I have some silver,” said Lu Da, offering it to the proprietor, “let me have half of the dog.”

The proprietor prepared the dish with some powdered garlic, and placed it before Lu Da who tore the flesh apart with his fingers and dipping it in the garlic, ate it. Although he drank ten cups of wine, he still wanted more. The innkeeper was afraid and remarked he had had enough. Lu Da stared at him, “I will pay you, so why interfere?” The man asked how much he wanted and Lu Da said, “A bucketful.” This was supplied and Lu Da drank it rapidly. There was still a leg of the dog which he picked up and put in his breast. As he left the inn, he said that he would come again the next day. The proprietor was speechless on hearing this, and saw that he was going in the direction of Mount Wutai.

Lu Da walked halfway up the mountain and rested in an arbor till the effect of the wine passed away. At last, getting up, he said to himself, “For a long time I have had no drill in hand combat and feel my body is not in good form—I will have a little practice here. Taking his long sleeves, he rolled up the ends and thrust in all directions. He was swinging his arm, when he struck against a pillar of the arbor with such force as to break it, and it fell with a great crash. The doorkeeper of the monastery heard this noise, and looking below saw that Lu Da was staggering up the path. He said, “Much trouble! This brute is extremely drunk again.” He closed the gate, and taking the bar fastened it. Then gazed through a crack in the door, and watched Lu Da approaching. When Lu Da reached the door he struck it with his fist but the gatekeeper dared not open it. Lu Da turned and saw on the left side of the door, a guardian idol, covered with gilt, to which he shouted, “You big prick, why do you not knock the door for me, instead of frightening me with that attitude: but I am not afraid of you.” He then mounted the steps—took hold of the railings in front of the idol, and pulled them up, as if plucking onions. He took one of the broken rails and struck the idol: the painted clay fell to the ground. The gatekeeper seeing this ran to report it to the Abbot. Lu Da then turned, and saw another gilded idol, at which he shouted, “You are opening your mouth wide, and laugh at me.” He ascended the steps on that side and struck the foot of the idol twice with the railing. There was a tremendous noise as the idol fell to the ground at which Lu Da laughed loudly.

When the Abbot heard of the matter, he said, “We must not make him angry: you had better go away.” A crowd of monks had collected, and they said, “That wild cat is extremely drunk. He has broken the arbor and the idols at the entrance. What shall we do?”

“Since ancient times the Emperor has always avoided drunken men, so why should I not do the same,” said the Abbot. “As to the images and the arbor he destroyed, the patron will repair them.”

The monks left the Abbot’s quarters saying, “How stupid is our Abbot. The doorkeepers do not open the door but listen.”

Outside, Lu Da was shouting, “You thieving stinking bald-headed donkeys! If you do not let me enter the monastery I will set fire to the building.”

The monks upon hearing this told the gatekeepers to draw the bar and let the brute in. They did this quietly and stealthily, and then hurried into the buildings to hide themselves. The monks also got out of the way.

Lu Da using both hands pushed against the doors with great force and fell to the ground as they opened. Scrambling up, he rubbed his head, and then rushed into the meditation hall. There were many visiting monks seated in contemplation, and they were alarmed at his sudden, noisy entrance. Lu Da went to the side of the hall and vomited. The monks were disgusted with the stench and covered their noses with their hands. Lu Da got on a bed, took off his silk belt, and tore apart the fastenings of his clothes, and the dog’s leg fell out. “How nice,” he said picking it up, “I am very hungry just now.” So saying, he ate it. Upon seeing this the monks covered their faces with their sleeves, and those on both sides of him withdrew. Lu Da seeing this movement, offered a piece of the dog’s leg to a monk who covered his face with his sleeves. Lu Da asked why he did not eat it, and then pushed the flesh at the lips of another monk. About five monks on neighboring beds leapt forward to intervene but Lu Da throwing the meat away hit the monk with his fist several times. This raised a loud shout from the monks who went to the cupboards to get their clothes and alms bowls with the idea of leaving. This created a general confusion which the monk in charge could not control. The superintendent summoned all the servants, including groundsmen, cooks’ assistants, messengers, sedan-chair carriers, altogether about two hundred men, who seized sticks, rice shovels, staffs and cudgels, and placing towels round their heads, entered the hall in a body. Upon seeing them Lu Da howled, and, having no weapon, hurried to the center of the hall, pushed over the table for offerings in front of Buddha, and having broken off two of the legs he advanced. When the menial monks saw his fierce expression, they retreated to the veranda, but as Lu Da only flourished the table legs they soon returned to the attack. Lu Da was very angry and struck on both sides. He had moved towards the hall where the scriptures were expounded, and there he met the Abbot who called out, “Lu Da, you are unreasonable! You monks must not lay a hand on him.” The monks retreated and Lu Da threw away the legs of the table, asking the Abbot, “Will you tell me what I must do?” At that moment Lu Da was nearly sober.

“Lu Da, you have implicated me seriously,” said the Abbot. “You were drunk previously and created a lot of trouble. Now you are again drunk, knocked down an arbor and broken two idols. You have also made trouble with the monks, so that they have all to go away. This sin of yours is not a small one. This, my Wenshu Monastery, on Mount Wutai, has been kept holy and sacred for more than a thousand years, so how can I keep a filthy thing like you here? But you can live in my quarters for a few days more until I find a place for you to go to.”

Lu Da accompanied the Abbot to his quarters. The Abbot sent word for the visiting monks to return and continue their contemplations. The monks that were injured had their wounds attended to.

Next day, the Abbot wrote a letter to Zhao Yuanwai sending it with two messengers who waited for his reply. When Zhao Yuanwai read the letter, he was very sad. He wrote a reply and said that he would pay for the repairs; as for Lu Da, he would leave him to the Abbot to be banished.

When the Abbot received the letter, he instructed his attendants to bring a gown of black cloth, a pair of shoes, ten taels of silver, and fetch Lu Da. Upon his arrival the Abbot reproved him about his offences; telling him he had decided to expel him from the monastery. He continued, “During the night I thought of your affairs, and have prepared for you four sentences from our sayings which you can use until your dying day.”

Laughing monk with staff so rare,

And ordained sword so beautiful;

Fought with heroes everywhere,

And punished traitorous ministers.

We will now relate what the Abbot said.

Footnote

54 Yuanwai an aristocratic title, approximating an “esquire” or gentleman.