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Roving Over The World
- Book 111: Roving Over The World
- Chapter 24:
The Underwater World
- Written by Sheng-yen Lu
- Translated by Janny Chow
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In Port Lucaya, we divided into three groups:
The first group went shopping, the second diving and the last the underwater world.
The glass boat is no different from other boats, except the area under the water level is fitted with special glass windows, so that the tourists can see the underwater world through its glass panels.
The wind and the wave on that day were rather strong. Those who were not used to the weather, soon became sea-sick. Guru Lian Zhang was the first to have vomited. Then some of the other Masters. Eventually, I was one of the four male left behind.
The phenomena of the underwater world really amazed me. It has everything one expects to find. For instance, I saw all kinds of fishes, red, white, green..... They swam in groups and chased one another. I even saw a big shark in the water! Some fishes looked lively; while others were rather serious looking.
The plants were very colorful too. Some of them had rainbow colors. The brilliant sea-weeds flowed to the tune of the tide.
Some fishes were beautifully carved; some had graceful figures; some were plump and well-developed; while some looked like putting on the most gorgeous dresses.
I have never seen so many fishes in my whole life. It is a world that is real, diversified, and mystical. I am attracted by its special charm.
Unless you major in Oceanic studies or Ocean biology or have made a special effort to acquire some knowledge on oceans, ordinary people like me find the underwater world a totally new experience. I am attracted by the world that I cannot experience personally.
As the wave was strong, the boat rocked badly.
The boat passed through deep water as well as swallow water. Sometimes the bottom of the boat almost hit the coral reef. There was a piece of wasteland underneath. I found a large octopus resting on the sea bed.
It had a slim and long tail. Its body resembled a big maple leaf dancing in the water. Its movement were soft and grand. It really impressed me.
Unlike a fish, an octopus has many attractive features. Its wisdom can be seen from its swimming ability, beauty and gliding style. I observed all the movements made by the octopus. It is beautiful from all angles.
I am totally interested in the underwater world; and I know how to dive too. I like to experience the underwater life. In my clear mirror mind, I know how great ecology is. Where there is water, there is fish.
It seems this is destined: \`Birds are not found in the bottom of the sea, likewise fishes cannot fly in the blue sky.\`
Suddenly I recalled such concepts as \` The law of dependent origin\`, \`three seals of Buddhist doctrine\`, and \`the Four Treatises\`. Who is going to turn the dharma wheel in the underwater world?
I am brooding over these questions:
Why life is termed `living in the sorrowful sea` ?
What is the origin of all the sorrows?
And how our ultimate aim can be achieved?
How do we get rid of all the troubles in life and reach a stage of non-sorrow?
Do these questions exist in the underwater world?
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