Taoism and Zen
by Yeiazel
Beggars unbearable
A Kuang was a large landowner without scruple, one of these upstarts bloated with wealth and ambition. To celebrate its 50th birthday, he invited all high-ranking mandarins and dignitaries that were influential in the region. Nothing was wanting to give the event the pomp befitting his wealth and all provincial commoner: gargantuan banquet, outrageous decor, music and dancers obscene undrinkable. But the Richard Kuang was especially proud of a totally original idea he had had, find novel leaving a lasting impression on his guests: he had to cover the muddy road leading to his home by a thick layer of grain Rice immaculate. An army of starving peasants were raking the clock to clear the tracks of tanks and troops left the palanquin as the guests! And this under guard so that no needy not steal a few handfuls of rice ...
A lame and deformed beggar, leaning on a stand of iron, baffled the vigilance of the guards, knelt on the road and began to fill his bag of rice grains. A watchdog service for roughly grabbed him and dragged him to the floor.
- pity, begged the tattered, let me make enough to feed my children!
- skedaddle, miserable, and know that my master rather than its rice rotting in the mud rather than seeing beggars like you spoil her birthday!
- Well, "replied the beggar, I reserve a gift that will not soon forget!
And the lame man stood up at once took his legs around his neck and, to everyone's surprise, bolted like hell to the home of Richard, zigzagging among the last guests. A pack of guards began to pursue him, cursing and barking orders. The beggar, who appeared to have some knowledge of martial arts, played with his crutch and pushed his way between those who guarded the entrance. He made a frantic burst into the banquet hall, bowed before the master of the house and asked for charity. Kuang, angry, pushed him roughly. The beggar fell backward, his head hit the tiles. The body of the wretch remained lifeless on the ground.
siteholder ordered thrown out the troublemakers. But when two guards wanted to raise it, he seemed to weigh a considerable weight. Four people did not succeed either to win or even a dozen. A mournful wind whistled through the room. The food began to move by himself on the tables before the bulging eyes of the guests who discovered it teeming with worms and insects. The wind redoubled violence, all the lanterns were extinguished, precipitating the flight of most of the guests.
Kuang cried to spell and summoned a priest exorcist. The Taoist examined the body of the beggar found the death and then made a divination with the I Ching. He said that the spirit of the deceased was very powerful, it would calm when the head of his death would be punished. The judge of the district, who had remained there, hastened to arrest the master of the house. This, obviously relieved to leave his haunted house, let himself be led away without resistance. He also probably thought that with a good lawyer and the game of his relations, he honorable exit from this accidental murder. Hardly the Kuang richard he was placed in solitary confinement that could raise the dead. It was placed in a coffin and carried to the nearest temple. At the time of funeral, the beer seemed strangely light. The Taoist who officiated, and was beginning to suspect something, made her open and lifted the lid. The corpse was gone. There was a letter instead. The priest took it and read these words:
Who tramples the gifts of Heaven
and mocks her children
exposed to the wrath of the immortals.
No one can with impunity violate
heavenly laws.
The poem is signed Tié Guy The priest smiled Li and, without saying a word, closed the lid. the empty coffin was buried with great pomp. When big-Kuang, it was fuge guilty of the death of a beggar, without intention to kill. His property was confiscated and distributed to the poor. Ruined, he must win the rest of his life in wielding the pick and shovel laborer.
who accumulates wealth has much to lose!
As the Taoist priest, he revealed to his young assistants, under the seal of secrecy, he had found in the coffin. And they laughed heartily tour had played Tié Guy Li, the eternal lame beggar, the most popular of Eight Immortals.
And how ugly a cripple took place among the Taoist saints? In a strange way. But that's another story ...
