Then they sat and partook of the tea offered by the
attendant. After paying a small gratuity, they went on to the next
shrine.
On the way a large black snake as thick as an arm lazily crossed over
the road. They stood, reverent and awestruck, until he disappeared in
the grass, remarking that this was a good omen. When crossing a sand
dune piled up by the winds the abbot from Hangchow remarked that this
was called the flying sand, wafted there by the goddess who took pity on
some travelers who had been compelled to cross a narrow strait in order
to come to a cave. This cave, called Fan Yin Tung, is one of the rifts
made by an earthquake and washed out by wind and waves. Below it rushes
the tide; from above the sun sends down a few rays. Each pilgrim after
offering incense looks into the darkness to see whether he can behold in
the dark cavern an image of some Buddha. One sees Kuan Yin and is
acclaimed as having had a good vision. Another sees the Laughing Buddha.
All exclaim that he has been the most fortunate of all, for this Buddha
is the Messiah to come and he who beholds him will be blessed. So from
place to place they wander, chatting and seeing the sights of the
island. Thus thousands are doing in various parts of China, and in this
way strengthening the hold of Buddhism upon themselves and their
communities.
VII
BUDDHISM AND THE FUTURE LIFE
Before the advent of Buddhism the Chinese had only a vague idea
regarding life after death.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74