A Long Way to Go清水寺に至る山道にて
A monk was once walking outside the walls of his temple when he encountered a strikingly beautiful woman. Fired by an intense lust, he could not suppress the urge to try and woo her.
But no sooner had he spoken to her than the woman rebuked him for his sinful ways and vanished before his very eyes.
Believing the woman to have been an avatar of the Buddha, the monk felt a deep shame at his actions, and resolved thereafter to dedicate himself to spiritual practice.
Since taking my vows, I have read all manner of Buddhist tracts, intoned the sutras, and absorbed the teachings of the masters. Yes, there is no doubt about it—I am well on my way along the path to enlightenment.
The problem is, now that I've learned all there is to learn, I'm not sure what to do with myself. Well, I suppose I could always head out for a breath of fresh air.
...Oh! What a captivating sight! I do not think I have ever seen such a beautiful woman! I simply must speak to her... But what should I say?
寺に入ってから多くの経文を読み、 多くの僧に教えを受け、修行に励んできた。 もはや仏の道を極めたと言えるのではないだろうか。 これ以上、何をすることがあるだろうか。 もうやることがない。どうにも退屈だ。 少し外に出て気分を変えるとするか。 おや、見たことがないほどに美しい女性が歩いている。 声をかけてみたい…。しかし、何と言えばいいだろう。
I am a pious monk well on the way to enlightenment. My mind should be free of unclean thoughts. If I chose to speak to that woman, it was because she was unaccompanied and I was simply concerned for her safety. Gah, but why did I have to go and say something so graceless and unwieldy?
"My good lady, forgive me for imposing, but would you mind pointing me towards Kiyomizu-dera Temple?"
...A monk who doesn't know the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple? You must think I was born yesterday! Though you wear the garb of piety, clearly you remain bound by worldly desires. That's why you wanted to speak to me, isn't it? Admit it!
Well, it would seem you still have a long way to go. Indeed, your journey to enlightenment has barely begun.
Wait! Wh-Where did she go!? And what in the world was I thinking, accosting her like that?
Dear me, this is most troubling. But these things happen for a reason, and I must learn from this. It turns out I am but a fool, at the mercy of my desires.
Now I see it! That woman was an avatar of the Buddha, no doubt about it. She appeared before me in order to reveal my shortcomings. Truly a blessing in disguise.
- Where
- Gojo Street - East district
- Map
- Eastern Kyoto
- Region
- Eastern Kyoto
- Hand in to
- Lady Murasaki, Yasaka Shrine
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