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Roving Over The World
- Book 111: Roving Over The World
- Chapter 06:
The Swan And The Ugly Toad
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated by Janny Chow
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People living in Hong Kong know very well their fate is tied to 1997. But they are unable to do anything and are ill-prepared to face the ensuing problems.
To them, this problem is a matter of adjustment.
They are familiar with the present day Hong Kong. If the future does not differ too much from what it is now, then the year 1997 does not spell disaster. They do not have to face the uncertainty in future, and who knows maybe the future is better than now.
Amongst the residents, there are people who have to worry about day-to-day survival; and of course, there are people who are not bother about who will rule Hong Kong in future.
I have many disciples in Hong Kong. My impression is Hong Kong has many modern buildings and is the liveliest place on earth. Many honest and flexible people live in this small island that has the highest number of Rolls Royce in the whole world; it is really a place full of opportunities. Slum and high-rise buildings line the same road, most of the residents speak Cantonese. It is an exciting place created by Hong Kong People.
A couplets from the novel \`The Dream of Red Chamber\` describe Hong Kong vividly.
\`Between the real and the false, the real might become the false; between the have and the
have-not , the have is no different from the have-not.\`
Hong Kong is a real and yet dreamy world.
I write a modern poem entitled \` Growth\` and dedicate it to the people in Hong Kong.
\`Once it was an empty piece of land,
Where nobody can get the sun here.
With the passage of time, many dreams were left,
Its earth-shaking.
Sea breeze blows softly in Autumn,
The summer is very hot,
The best is during Spring,
In winter, you find the decoration for Christmas.
You will experience endless night which is full of love here,
Many years of hard work,
The attractive sunlight, moonlight forever gasp for breath
on this piece of land. \`
In Hong Kong, I was quite impressed by a lady disciple. Her nickname is \`the swan\`.
One day she came to visit me in the hotel.
I brought her to the living room. The room was spacious with high ceiling. There were a few pieces of sofa, a big coffee table, a big Chinese painting, and a bar counter with a TV set. Behind where I sat was a glass window leading to the garden.
\`The swan\` seemed very nervous when I asked her to sit in front of the coffee table, so that we could talk face to face.
I was expecting a charming, attractive , gentle and soft spoken lady, when I was told miss \`Swan\` wanted to see me. I was planning to relax and listen to her conversation.
She spotted a student`s hair cut, with very long fringe. She had very dry hair; some of them were gray. She was in her thirties, I thought her hair style did not match her age.
With a conservative style, she sat graciously in front of me. Some how I felt her face did not harmonize with the surrounding.
She had a strange look - green-bean eyes, flatnose, and sharp chin - her facial expression was also funny.
She used Cantonese to ask me.
\`Living Buddha, which way should I go ?\`
\`Do you speak Mandarin?\`
\`A little, \` she lowered her head and said loudly.
\`I don`t like to cultivate in the chapter!\`
\`Why?\`
\`All the males tried to make passes on me, they took advantage of me.\`
\`Is that so! \` patiently I listened to her, controlling my laughter.
I was told that she has a very funny character. If any man banged into her physically, she would slap him. Many follow male disciples had been slapped.
\`All of them are ugly toads!\`
\`What about the Grandmaster ?\`
\`You are different!\` she smiled, showing her yellow teeth.
\`Grandmaster, I do not sleep well, as I think a lot, I don`t feel at ease ........\`
Now, I know the reason why she was called \`the Swan\`. There are many people behaving like her these days, a conflict of self-respect and inferiority complex.
Lack of sleep could lead to unstable emotion. The tell-tale signs are pale complexion, and fish-line at the eyes. She was lonely and hopeless as she could not fit into the society.
I told her, \`The most important thing in life is \`change\`. We must change our isolated way of life, and take part in group activities. Our life will be more pleasant if people we don`t like can become our friends.\`
I added, \`Face the society, do not run away, tackle all the problems - these are considered \`cultivation\`.\`
\` I can`t do it!\` the swan replied.
\`Do you have any hopes ?\` I asked.
\`I don`t think so!\` she thought for a while.
I told her, \`You must have hope in life, so that you could feel your existence.\`
\`Do something meaningful work, once it is done, you will feel you are alive, this is your future!\`, I added.
I was not quite sure whether she understood me. She did not smile, nor could she concentrate as she could not take life easily. The knot in her mind is difficult to untie.
I told her sincerely:
to face others,
to mix with others,
do meaningful work.
The spark from our inner world will cover all the outer flaws.
Suddenly I recalled a very entertaining report on Swan:
\`A white swan resembles an angel. It is clean and has nice feathers. Its flight is elegant and relaxed.
But the truth is not so. They make a lot of noises when staying together. They are impatient, worrisome, and bad-tempered. They peck their opponents` feathers and other small animals to death.
In fact, Swan is considered one of the savage creatures.\`
On the other hand, the ugly toad always sits quietly looking for food.
Shy by nature, it makes very little noise. As it is not well -like by others, it tries to hide itself all the while. It is a humble creature.
Do you think the ugly toad will eat the swan`s meat?
I doubt so, as the swan can easily peck it to death. The behaviour of the swan leaves much to be desired.
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