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
