The Chronicles of the Silent One by Nathan Black

The Chronicles of the Silent One by Nathan Black A Samaneraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tale

ISBN: 978-0-9578948-7-7 First Published: 23 March 2012 Second Edition: 11 October 2017

Nathan can be contacted through nathan@dharmamaster.com www.dharmamaster.com

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Acknowledgement

have been more fortunate than most to sit at the feet of many wonderful

teachers. I wish to thank the Yogis, the Swamis, the Chinese and Taiwanese Holy Masters, the Rabbis, the Theravadan Buddhist Monks and the lessons I

have learnt from the thousands of lay people who have stopped by to have a chat. Over the years, I have read from many texts just like you are reading this now, should you see anything in my writings that you recognise as something you have written, then I thank you. As you well know there is nothing new in this world, but in the following text I hope you will find something that may help to change your life as it has done mine...please enjoy.

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Introduction

sat on the sand overlooking the Thai Gulf on Baan Krut beach. I thought this part of the world, where there is quiet and peace, would be perfect for writing.

Wrong, not a word, no creative nothing. I thought maybe after lunch, I just fell asleep.

Maybe tomorrow, or the next day.

As I was about to give up, he appeared.

He was dressed in a Monk's robes of brown faded cloth.

As he approached I looked into his eyes and saw love. I thought he said, "What I know, cannot be said in words."

He visited me a number of times over the next few weeks. The following is what he told me, or what I thought he told me, as he was silent. Totally silent.

I just looked into his eyes and the words appeared.

Thank you...

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Chronicles 1

great Master known as the Silent One, was on pilgrimage, traveling the length of the country. He went through many towns, some large, some small.

He was asked by all to give some of his wisdom, but he always remained silent. It was his way. He neared a small village and as always all the people gathered to meet him. This great Holy One was a silent man, that was what made him so famous. The more silent, the more the people wanted to hear his Dharma. The villagers told him that they had been waiting for months for his arrival. "Now you are finally here please give us your wisdom," they said. The Silent One told them he had nothing to say and what he knew he could not say in words. They wouldn't listen, they insisted, and again the Master told them that what he knew could not be said in words. "We will sit here and not eat, until you speak. We don't have any enlightened people come here and we won't allow you to go until you speak." So he agreed. They were ecstatic. Never before had the Holy One spoken in a town, let alone a village. He was The Silent One, what a privilege. The Master stood up and asked the question, "Do you know what I am going to say?" They all said, "Of course not, how can we know when you haven't said anything yet." The Master then said, "How can I speak to such ignorant people who don't know what I am going to say?" And he prepared to leave.

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The village knew their answer was not right, and the desire to hear him became more inflamed. They now begged, "Please don't leave, give us one more chance." So again he asked the question, "Do you know what I am going to say? "Yes," they said very excited. "Then it is finished, you already know, there is no need for me to tell you, such enlightened people." He prepared to leave. They were puzzled, what to do. One of the villagers was clever and had a plan. "We were wrong, please ask us just one more time." They begged. So he asked a third time, and half said yes they knew, and half the crowd said no they didn't know. What a plan. They were thrilled, how could he escape now? The Holy Master said, "Now those who know, please tell those who don't. I am unnecessary." And he left. So, if we look deeply into our questions, we find we don't need answers, we already know the answers. All asking is unnecessary, all the answers are inside us. A Master brings clarity, not answers. The Master brings the ability to see. Of course, the more questions brings more answers and the more answers, the more questions. There is no transformation, no enlightenment, until we give up the desire to know. Give up the desire to ask. Just be...

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Chronicles 2

he Silent One continued his travels. In the last village, he had told them, 'What I know cannot be said in words.' They were insisting and He used an old trick to leave. He asked if they knew what He was about to say, and of course, the answer is always wrong. There was a time, when he didn't know the answer. When he was younger, a lot younger, he married, had a child, a job. He was comfortable, his family loved him, but there was something that he knew wasn't right with his life. There must be more to it. There was suffering. He was worried all the time. His wife tried, but there were always problems. He was concerned for others, this caused sleepless nights. His wife tried, there were so many people to help. He started going to a Temple. His child, now a young man, left home to pursue a career, his wife went home to her village. All alone with his thoughts, he wondered why he had waited so long to search for his spirituality. He spent the next eight years, traveling from Temple to Temple, Master to Master, looking for some form of Enlightenment. He arrived at a Pagoda in a small village, exhausted from the search. As usual he was welcomed warmly, but this time it was different. The Order of Monks were silent. No one, except the Holy Master spoke, and even he spoke little. The Master told the Silent One that to be at peace with oneself, one must first clear the old from the mind. Let go. Let go the rubbish. The Master explained that we keep all rubbish to satisfy the ego.

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It protects us from being wrong. It stops the Universe from unfolding as it should. We keep the rubbish so that Karma can infect our lives. All we say, think and do, is infected by Karma. We are never free of the consequence of our actions, the Master explained. The suffering never ceases in this life, or others to come. The Way is to let go. Once we let go, the Master said, we allow ourselves to be happy. Live in the present moment, no past, no future, just be, then we can experience The Joy of Being, the only true happiness. This Joy will not come to you through any possession, or any achievement, person or event. This Joy will not come to you until you realize that it comes from the formless within you. From consciousness itself and is one, with who and what you are. This only happens with the practice. It is the knowledge that cannot be put in words, cannot be spoken of, must be experienced. "Oh," exclaimed the Silent One, "For over sixty years I have been searching for this Joy, please show me the Way." For the next five years he remained with the Master in total silence. He lost all contact with reality, all the ego was gone, all the rubbish gone. All that was left was pure, simple, conscious Love and Joy. He became a mirror, in him, one could see the person we would like to be. The person who we truly are. Love shone from his eyes. An enlightened being. The Holy Master told him that he was ready to go into the world. "Show others by example, your silence will be a beacon by which those, who are conscious, shall become enlightened just by your presence." And so he travels from village to village. For those seeking awareness, Love and Joy, one day, may meet the Silent One, and become enlightened, and realize The Joy of Being.

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Chronicles 3

he Silent One had been gone some three years. His teacher, the Holy Master was not well and knew his time in this mortal coil was short. He wanted to hear from his famous student all he had learnt.

Had he formed an opinion about the world? What were his thoughts of humanity, was there a chance for change? Could he make a difference? Was he prepared to take over the teaching at the Temple? So many questions. He sent two Monks to find him and bring him back. The student Monks took to the road in a cart with two wonderful horses. They spent little time sleeping and eating, mostly a hurried time, as they knew the Master had a short life span. It took many adventures and six months to find him. The Monks told him of their tales, how they had found him and most important, the wishes of the Master for the Silent One's return. He decided, of course, to return with the Monks. A few months later they arrived at the Temple. The Monks had been gone nearly ten months, and were now back with the Silent One. The Master was very sick now, he was sustained with the thought that his prize student, was coming back and finally The Silent One presented himself to the Master. "Great Teacher I have returned as you requested. Have you written your death poem?" The Master sighed, what insight this great man has, He thought. Even nearing death, I receive a lesson from my student.

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Chronicles 4

nd so the master passed and his final words and poem flashed before the Silent One's eyes.

The Master's final words and death poem were one and the same message. Unusual. But then he had been an unusual man. Devoting his entire working life to teaching others to be silent. His life's work was to be a good-enough teacher, to send his students into the world, to help others find the way. The Master had confided in him, that after so many years, he had been the only one to leave the Temple, with the Master's blessing. Now the task passed onto him, now he had been passed the Mantle and Bowl and became the Master of the Temple. Like the previous Masters' passing, there was no ceremony, no special prayers, only silence. How to start, do I have to start? Just be. Silence, what will be, will be. And so His life began again. The new Master had the previous Master's last words and death poem inscribed in the wall for all to see. "Wind and water arrive from somewhere to leave for another space. Oh silent ones Enlightened ones Be free as the wind and water. No judgement Just Unconditional Love Be free."

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Because of his journeys, he knew there were certain individuals who were open to Love and Joy, who wanted to be free. To be part of this world and to make it a better place for their having been in it. These individuals needed the Temple's guidance. Not many were willing to give up a life and start another. But as in his case, it only takes one. The wait began.

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Chronicles 5

fter the family left home and my wife passed on, there was nothing else, but to travel.

Having no assets or just enough money, did not concern me. I had an introduction letter from the Holy Master at the local Temple. This letter was wonderful, in return for the Dharma I gave, Temples fed me and allowed me to stay awhile. I had been travelling for three years, but no place called me to stay longer than a few weeks. I wanted to settle somewhere, belong. The people seemed strangers to me. The Masters almost cold. It was like a duty they had to perform when I turned up. I started to think my welcome was wearing thin. Not looking forward to the next stop, and yet maybe the next place? Finally, after self imposed suffering, my journey took me to a place that, I felt, was paradise. There were hills behind me and the ocean in front. A meandering river flowed softly by. Right there, overlooking the water, a large Temple. A soft breeze played in the trees, and as I recall, it whispered my name. I thought, wind, water, what a perfect combination. There were Monks tending vegetables, in total concentration. Not speaking, not even making eye contact, only the vegetables. I thought, "I can do that." First, I must introduce myself to the Master of the Temple. It was late afternoon, the Monks were preparing for evening prayer. I asked a Monk, "Who is the head of the Temple?" He placed his fingers to his lips, as if asking me to be silent, and silently, softly, led me to a small room. The room was beautiful. There was nothing, only polished floors from so many bare feet. A small window with a view of the river. In the corner a wash stand filled with water. A wooden block for a pillow and a welcome, comfortable blanket, for warmth.

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I don't remember going to sleep, but sun filled my small room the next morning. That was the best night's sleep I can remember. As I left my room I was met by a Monk who led me to a dining hall. There were twenty Monks, heads bent in silence, almost as if they were waiting for me. I was shown a place on the floor. The silence, awesome, nothing, not a cough, a whisper, nothing. The food arrived, passed from hand to hand until it reached me. I expected a prayer, or something, but no, just the food. The food was simply wonderful. After eating I was taken to large hall. The Monks were arranging themselves in a circle. I was included and sat cross-legged in anticipation. Nothing happened. They seemed to be meditating, praying, who knows. I had never been exposed in all my travels, all the Temples, to a more peaceful and calming time. This must not have been a work day, as we sat till evening time. The most amazing thing was that my legs didn't have pain, I had no aches, no thoughts, just peace. This is the first day, I thought, "Wait till I meet the Master, and learn something." I was shown to my room in silence. What was this place! Had I died and gone to heaven and not noticed? I had the best night's sleep, beautiful food, meditated all day, and not been in pain. The only thing is the silence, total, absolute silence. The next day, the same in the morning and then outside to the vegetable fields. I loved getting my hands dirty in the soil. It was as though the soil was listening to me. Everything I touched seemed to say, thank you. Seemed to smile. How can dirt smile? I have never been so happy. Time flew by, by my calculation it was two or three months. No-one had spoken one word, no one wanted to see my letter of introduction.

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I just seemed to fit in. What a shock, when all of a sudden, at meal time, one of the Monks stood up and said, "Welcome brother, we were expecting you earlier, but your mind wasn't quite right. As you have noticed we are a silent order of Monks. Our job is to go into the world and find like-minded people. Since this order was founded some one thousand two hundred years ago, in all this time, only five Monks have been chosen to leave here. I was the last to carry the task. Over the next-however long, I shall guide you, to let go, leave all thought, to feel the Joy of Being." "At last," the Holy One thought, "I can write my poem." "At last," I thought, "I have arrived. Where I belong."

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Chronicles 6 "Everything returns to the source. All passes. And the universe Unfolds." The poem stared at the Master from the page, "I am too young to be writing a death poem. I still have at least ten years of life," he thought. The calligraphy was beautiful, and the sentiment, correct for the occasion. The Silent One didn't seem to be at peace. "This new one, is he the one? What did the old Master say? "You will know in your bones." My bones don't say anything, they remain silent, like this Temple. Maybe it's time I left again, or is the task of training a new Master too hard? Did the old Master think these thoughts about me? I shall give a year or three to the task." ................ I was too excited to sleep. The Holy Master had been watching all this time. What a test. I must have passed, or else He would not have revealed Himself and spoken. His words, even though spoken softly, were like thunder in my head. The words, lightning. "I shall guide you." What did He say? "Let go, leave all thought. Feel the Joy of Being." After all the years I have spent in Temples giving and receiving Dharma, I had never heard such words, or spoken such words. They reverberated through my brain, through my body. Tomorrow I shall ask what it means. When I woke the next day, the Holy Master was not to be seen. - 15 -

It was as though he had disappeared. I could not ask, no one spoke. I decided to put myself totally into meditation, and the vegetables. I practiced clear thoughts. I practiced letting go, The sky became a different colour, the food tastes sharper. All in the present moment. There was no thought, not even for the Master, who was not present. This took six weeks or so, not watching for Him, not thinking about Him. The desire to know was gone. The space between my thoughts became longer. I had read somewhere, that some call this space God! I don't know, but I did find Joy and Love. This must be what He called The Joy of Being. ................... The Holy One thought, "I must stop my solitude and return to the Temple." When the Temple had been built, the clever Monks had a special set of rooms constructed for isolation. Staying in this place, all reality ceases. The Holy One knew his student was ready. The past Master said to teach by example. He said, "They will see the love in your eyes and become enlightened." Now for the test. ..................... "Brother, I have returned, I see you have been at practice. Your eyes shine. You look different, at peace. What say you?" I looked into his eyes, they were like a mirror. I saw myself. I saw Love. I felt Joy.

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Chronicles 7

hen I left the Temple it was with trepidation.

The Holy Master warned me, with my heightened level of awareness, everything will be raw. "Don't choose to be involved, don't choose emotion," He said, "Don't attract others karma." He also told me that what we know cannot be said. Our practice is experienced, not spoken of. I left the Temple with a feeling I would never see this wonderful Holy man again. Over the years, when I went from Temple to Temple, I had given some two hundred different dharma talks. The Buddha gave thousands. Not to compare myself to the Buddha, I decided to give only one dharma, the same, each time, I was to speak. I shared the Holy Masters words, "I am not able to tell you what I know in words. What my companion Monks and I know is an experience. Join us, begin a new life. We live in silence. The rewards are great. We offer shelter, abundant food, like minded company and above all, The Joy of Being." None joined us. We attracted no followers. People fed us, housed us, welcomed us. The questions were not asked. Maybe times had changed. Maybe the challenge of silence, too hard. Whatever the reason, I was finding the days getting longer. My breathing shorter. The fact was, I felt sick. So sick,

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nothing helped. The local doctor said I was dying of sadness. I asked how he knew. He saw it in my eyes. He said, "There is no cure, you have made up your mind to die. Prepare yourself." The elder silent Monk looked at me. He took hold of my hand and, after thirty years of not speaking, whispered, "Please Beloved One, don't die." The pain in his eyes was almost too much to bear. "We all must leave this mortal coil. This journey has been too much. Let me go, please don't carry me in your heart, or mind, set me free. I have no special last words, no death poem, nothing to leave. The Buddha said, Be a light unto yourself. Practice mindfulness, even in death. Take heed of these words." I told him, "I have lived a wonderful life, dedicated to the service of others, I have made this incarnation worthwhile. Peace, wisdom, love and The joy of Being these are my legacy. What more can one ask? I say to you my friend, we need no one. We arrive alone, we go alone. The universe provides everything in between. When our time comes-accept with grace." With that said, he smiled and passed. .................. After thirty years of not speaking, I thought I might have forgotten how. I asked in a quiet voice for the local Temple to look after the Holy Master's remains. No prayer, no ceremony, just let Him go. I noted the day. It was New year's day. A new beginning. ....................

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When my companion Monk and I finally returned, the Temple was in turmoil. Everything in a mess, The Holy Master had passed away, the same day, New year's day, as had the Dharma Master. There is no coincidence in our world. Everything is according to a plan. Who, or what controls the plan, we are not able to know. They had passed on the same day.

I, as the most senior Monk, now took charge. There was much to do. ................... There was a commotion at the Temple gates, three families were asking for refuge. There were three women, two men and six children. Four boys and two girls, the eldest boy being twelve years. They told a horrific story. The village had been burnt to the ground for not paying a tax. One of the men had been killed and they didn't know where the other villagers were. They asked for shelter and in return, offered us cooking, cleaning, any work that was needed, and of course, the children would enter the order to become Monks. They said they had heard a famous Monk give a talk. He said, he was not able to say what he knew. He offered peace and love in return for silence, "We see you are silent, can you offer the same?" I was near tears, the Holy One's message was not in vain. Both Masters would be happy to see this day.

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Chronicles 8

remember the troubles in the village like it was yesterday. So vivid the screaming, the chaos, when the troops came.

They took away people and shot others who refused to go. My younger brother and sister, my mother, and myself huddled behind a toilet, so frightened. We didn't know what happened to father, he just disappeared. After a long time the troops left and what remained was a burning mess, nothing left, our house gone. I remember, one other family, and ourselves decided to leave. We walked and walked until our feet bled. I never cried, but I remember how hungry we were. We arrived at a village two days later, where they fed us what small food they had. They were worried the troops would come back and so they asked us to leave. We told them we had no place to go. They told us a story of a Monk. "The Silent One," they called him. The only time he spoke was to tell of his Temple and offer seclusion and silence. In return, food, peace, love, and warmth. It sounded wonderful to us, and we left the village to find the Silent One's Temple. Something wonderful happened as soon as we decided to find the Temple, good things came to us. It was as if we were being watched over, being looked after. We had food and shelter and several other families joined us along the way. One of the families came from a village that had heard a special Monk give a talk about the place we were going to. We finally we arrived at the special place. One of the men asked permission to enter.

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The Monks were silent. Nothing, not a word. I thought they were very strange, but we were tired and hungry and this place was very beautiful with a mountain behind and a winding river in front. Lots to explore. Being the eldest boy at twelve years old I was expected to set an example. My mother told me to keep the other children in order and not to speak. Not even to whisper or the Monks would throw us out. We decided to invent our own sign language that only we children understood. ................. Life was fine for awhile but I soon realized I was not a child anymore. I had strange feelings toward the girl, not my sister, but the other family's eldest girl and her friend. We began to hold hands in secret, and sometimes to cuddle together at night when the opportunity arose. I desperately wanted to talk to them and tell them how I felt. Our secret sign language was not enough. Then my life was over. One of the Monks caught me and the girls together, and I was dragged before the Head Monk. He looked at me with sad eyes that filled with tears and pointed to the main entrance. The only word I had heard in three years thundered in my ears. Go! He said.

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Chronicles 9

he Buddha spoke of suffering and the ability to recognize suffering. "Desire," He said, "is the greatest cause of suffering."

I was suffering, once again, because of my desire to replace myself. I was sure this boy was the one. I saw in his eyes a truth. I saw honesty and I wanted so badly for him to be the one. Now he was to go. Now he had to go on his journey that would shape him, and if he followed his heart, he would be back. I asked the universe to guide him and guard him, and show him the way. Since the passing of the Holy One, my position as Head Monk was forced on me because of my closeness to him. I just wanted solitude and peace, not to have to make decisions for all. Now this boy's behavior had endangered the temple and the Buddha's Dharma and I had to make the hardest decision I had ever made. The Buddha was most outspoken on the subject of desire, and how it is the root cause of suffering. The Buddha talked about sexual behavior, not of the act, but of desire for gratification with another, other than a wife. The boy had broken a precept that was fundamental to Buddhism. I had made the decision.

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Chronicles 10

t all happened so fast. I was warm in the arms of a young girl one minute, and the next, out the door with only one or two days food, and the clothes on my back.

The Holy Master told me to follow the river where I could catch a ride on a small boat to the city some weeks away. He said I was to offer my labour in return for the journey. He also gave me the name of a Patron who would help me find work in the big city. I looked at mother with her tears and left. ................ Apart from being alone it wasn't so bad, in fact it was an adventure. I finally found the boat after walking for more than three days. The boat carried wood for making houses I later found out. My job was to help pull the boat along the winding river. This is when the adventure turned bad. I remember the pain. I still carry the scars on my hands and shoulders, from the burning of the rope. The scars on my back from the whip when I didn't pull my weight. The captain wanted me to return with them and threatened me. I barely escaped with my life. I set off to find my Patron that the Holy Master had given me.

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Chronicles 11

didn't know what to expect. After the last meeting with strangers, all I got was hurt and pain. What was going to happen here, the same or worse?

What I didn't expect was the love and warmth that shone from the man standing in front of me. He took one look at the rags I wore, and my smell, and ordered a bath, and new clothes. I remember the day well as it was my sixteenth birthday. I thought what wonderful gifts. The best was to come as food was presented like I had never seen, or tasted before. After the meal the Patron sat me down at his desk and talked of the future. He said that I was to enter the local Temple to learn about the Buddha. I was to spend two years studying with the Monks, and all being well, to become a Monk myself. The Patron asked nothing in return for looking after me. He did say that my future was set, and that I would become famous. He said that I would become silent later in life and travel. He said that people would only have to look into my eyes and see what they wanted to know. I didn't know what to believe, I only hoped that what he said was true. I left for the Temple the very next day.

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Chronicles 12

loved my time in the Temple learning to be clear of mind and body. How to let go and not have the ego take charge.

After a wonderful two years, it was my time to leave. I could have stayed, but I decided to enter the world and become a businessman. I have done well in business. One must do well should one follow the Buddhist way. The Buddha was most specific how to behave in business. I decided that when I went into business, I would share everything with the Temple and I became a Patron. The more I received, the more I gave and the more I gave, the more I received. Amazingly, from the first week, till now, some forty years later, there has never been a bad time. Recently, I received a message from the silent order of Monks to expect a young man of extraordinary talents. He apparently did not know how different he was. The Monks asked me to send him to the local Temple and make sure he stayed the full two years. They asked that when he finished the time in the Temple, I was to create a job for him and make sure he practiced the Buddha's Way. When I finally met the young man, his strength and purpose shocked me. He radiated a glow of spiritual beauty and there was something different about him. I wondered why he had not stayed with the silent order, but it was not my affair. I also wondered why he had such bad scars on his young body. This was also not my affair. My job with this young man was clear and so I sent him to become a Monk.

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Chronicles 13

he time sped by so fast. I had learned so much, reading and writing.

I learnt numbers, and I learnt about money. I learnt about the world. Things that I never thought possible. Most important of all I learnt of the Buddha and his teachings. I now understood why I was asked to leave the silent temple. I learnt forgiveness. To forgive the Monk who made me leave. I forgive you. To forgive myself, and my misdeeds, I forgive you. I also let go of the troops that had taken father. I forgave them. I left the temple as a Monk and it felt right, it felt as if I had found my place in the world. On my return to the Patron, I spoke with him for days about my time at the Temple. He was a willing listener. Now he said, as I am eighteen years old, it is time to learn a trade. I was to learn a skill, something the Patron said, to prepare me for life. To be able to pay my own way. Should I wish to get married, have children, or just to help cover the Temple's costs. I had to have a job. The Patron offered me a job working in one of his businesses. Of course I accepted. He had no wife, no children, he dedicated his life to The Buddha. He told me I could be the son he never had. I was most grateful.

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Chronicles 14

rarely dream and when I do, it is of a time long past.

To dream is to verbalize thoughts. Our way of silence has removed these thoughts by choice. Were we to think and dream we would start to compare, be conditional, and that would lead to suffering. My dream was of the Silent One. He came to me to say that my choice in the boy was good. Time was the factor and only time would bring out the boy's clarity, his purity, his compassion. He also advised me not to interfere, to let things happen naturally. Let twelve years pass. "Twelve years, do I have twelve years?" Both masters passed within a year of my present age. Another suffering, now about age. Why am I breaking all my vows? Enough of the boy. Enough. I am at Peace. I am Silent.

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Chronicles 15

he work was inspiring, every day something new.

The Patron was involved in everything to do with day to day life, from food to building a house. Clothing, transport jewelry, and hair products, all manner of things. He put me in charge of delivery. I was to make sure all goods were sent from the warehouse to the customer, or to our agents. I had to be organized with every minute, every hour, of every day. From first light, till dark, seven days a week. I worked with a dedicated group of devout Buddhists. Our prayers were said at first light. They were for the welfare of the Patron and all sentient beings. I learnt compassion and how to read people and their troubles. I learnt to care for fellow workers and the days, weeks, months and years flew by. I remember my thirtieth birthday. The Patron had invited a group of friends and we took the day off to celebrate. I felt so special. The Patron announced to everyone that this day was truly special. He told the gathering, that this was the last day I was to work for him. The shock I felt caught me and I had to sit down suddenly. He continued to say that I had been a son to him. That I had served him as no other before me. He felt no sadness as he had been proud to call the future Silent One his son. Now I was totally shocked. He then asked a Nun to come forward, her face and head covered in robes. The Patron introduced her as a Sister from the Silent One's Temple. He said she had arrived to take me away on the next step of my journey. He said that in Buddhist terms the first thirty years of one's life is devoted to learning, the next thirty to teaching, and the final years to enjoying the fruits of life. He said that I was at the teaching stage and the Nun was here to help. With that he looked at me with tears in his eyes, kissed me on both cheeks and left the room. I didn't know what to do.

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Chronicles 16

am to devote my life to you," She said. My heart felt it had stopped.

The breath caught in my throat and tears welled in my eyes. Here standing before me was a Buddhist Nun in robes of dark crimson. She removed the hood of her robes and I saw the shaven head. I looked into her eyes and sighed. She was the same girl I had loved, the same girl for whom I was asked to leave the Temple, all those years ago. Now she said she was to devote her life to me. I had learnt that there is no such thing as coincidence. Everything has a purpose, and now she was back in my life. "I am to take you back to the Holy One's Temple. The Master is waiting. He has been waiting all these years for you, and so have I." She also said that I was to remain silent for the entire journey, and allow her to do all the speaking. If, she said, I was in agreement, we could start right away. I agreed by nodding my head. We began...

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Chronicles 17

he journey back was uneventful as my wonderful companion did everything for me.

I must have looked at her one thousand times to make sure it was her from the Temple, and my past. I wanted to ask so many questions about my mother and my sister and brother. I wanted to ask why she became a Nun. Did she remember us together? She must have sensed the way I felt about her as she looked at me and said, The Buddha said, "When we give up desire we get what we desire." I realized that I still was involved with my ego. I started to let go. ................. We finally arrived at the Temple. We were met by the Master who had spoken to me all those years ago. He said, "Welcome back Holy One." He called me Holy One. I still didn't understand and I was not told why they had given me such a title. The most frustrating part was I was not to talk and every time I would try the Nun would put her fingers to her lips silently, asking me to be still. I settled into a routine of meditation and the garden. The garden and meditation. The Nun always by my side. She was becoming part of me, and I part of her. Over a period of time we became closer and closer.

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Chronicles 18

y my calculation we had been back some three years.

One evening at the daily meal the Holy Master rose and said that his life was now coming to an end in its present form. He said he was in his nineties and he had had enough. He did not want to announce a leader of the Temple as it was not his position. However he did say that should I wish to be in charge, then that was up to me. He said that I was the future of Buddhism and that I would be very important to peace in the country. With that he stood up from his meal and left the hall. .................. This had been the first time he had spoken since we arrived back at the Temple. His body was found some weeks later in a cave in the hills behind the temple. He had passed on in a sitting meditation position. Next to him was his bowl, his beads, and a paper and pen and ink. Written on the paper was his death poem, "Thank you For your love Thank you For your teachings Thank you Lord Buddha." As in life, so in death, this great Holy Monk never asked for anything. He devoted his entire life to others. What a Buddha.

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Chronicles 19

t the Temple there is a time keeper and he keeps the days, months, and years recorded. His job is also to record deaths and any new arrivals at the temple.

Some one thousand six hundred years have passed at this place, all recorded for anyone to see. No one ever looked but the recordings still take place. I now looked and saw to my amazement that another twelve years had passed since the Nun and I had arrived back. I was now in my forty second year. The Nun said in a whisper, "We must prepare to leave this place, your mother is dying and your family needs your support." This came as a complete shock to me as I had spent all these years in total silence without a thought, and suddenly I am told of my family for the first time in more than twenty seven years. I rushed to prepare for the journey excited like a child. As we left the temple the Nun held my arm and said in a almost sad voice, "We shall not return here again in this lifetime, so let me say a prayer for both of us for the Temple's future." She then went on her knees and hands clasped in front bowed low and whispered, "May the universe bless this place, may this place be as peaceful as it is now, for time to come and we thank this place for bringing the Holy One and myself together." This was the first time she had spoken of us in a familiar manner. I silently approved.

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Chronicles 20

e arrived at a small village whose existence depended on making mala beads and wooden Buddha statues.

The craftsmen were old men, and as we passed each in turn bowed so low their heads touched the ground. The spirituality of the place was almost overwhelming. There was a hush, a silence, and the smell of burning incense lingered on the breeze. The Nun led me to a small hut. We entered, and I was shocked at the sight of a frail old lady and I recognized her as my mother. She looked so old. She looked in my eyes and burst into tears. "I can see my death, they told me if I looked into your eyes I would see what I wanted. I wanted to see my son who I hadn't seen for nearly thirty years and all I see is death." I couldn't answer her but the Nun was quick to assure her that I was happy to see her. "All must die," the Nun said, "As nothing, including the Holy One is immune from death, nothing is permanent." We settled down to a small table to drink tea and I kept my eyes down, so my mother could not see anything else that would upset her. I wanted to ask of my sister and brother and if they knew what happened to father. As I thought of my family a tall handsome man and younger beautiful woman burst into the hut. They saw me and instantly fell to their knees. The man called out blessed one show us how to overcome our misery. I was shocked at this outburst. I wanted to pick them both up kiss them and tell them how I had missed them both. The Nun asked them to sit up and tell the Holy One their life stories. And so the tales began. After more than an hour I had heard enough. The complaining was almost unbearable.

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Not once did either one mention our father or mother, and she was sitting listening. For the first time in all these years I spoke. "Enough complaints. The universe is not at fault here, what has happened to you, is by choice." The Nun looked at me and smiled. "I thank the most merciful Lord Buddha for your safety, your good looks and health. May you brother, you sister, and you mother, be guarded and guided." And with that the Nun and I left. I am empty. I am a mirror. .................. My last words for the next twenty four years was to say to the Nun, "My last words before silence, I loved you then as a boy, and I love you now as an adult." The Nun took both my hands in hers, looked me in the eyes and said, "I have waited all these years to hear those words from you. I love you too." With that we left the village.

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Chronicles 21

he Holy One thought, "Am I really enlightened as they say? It feels as if nothing is really important, although my dream of a Temple seems to be my mission at this moment. Through the Nun I can communicate to those who want to understand, and help build the dream. I now know that the very essence of all that I meet, that their very Buddha Nature is at stake. Their potential to be at one with themselves and nature, is at stake and we are bound to help fix the balance." ................... To take refuge in the Buddha is not a punishment. To take refuge in the Dharma is not a punishment. To take refuge in the Sangha is not a punishment. These are Joys full of Love and Compassion. .................. And so the Holy One and his companion Nun left the village, left his dying mother and sister and brother, never to see them again. He now knew what he had to do for the next twenty four years. .................. The Holy One and his companion Nun started walking towards the Capital. He had a wish to meet with the Emperor and ask that a great Vihara be built to house a large golden Buddha. He wished that all would come to this Temple and learn Buddhism. Learn to meditate Learn to let go of anger, hatred, jealousy and greed. .................. The Holy One looked at the Nun and realized he was in love with her and had been since he was twelve years old. This was the same girl he had to thank for having been removed from his Temple all those years ago for breaking a Buddha precept. Again his thoughts wavered on his dilemma, the question, "Is unconditional love enough?"

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Chronicles 22

e stooped slowly, carefully placing his right palm on the ground, followed by his right knee, then his left palm and left knee until leaning forward, his forehead touched the worn cushions in front of the altar.

As he had done every morning for the last seventy years, he chanted in his head, "Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddahassa." "Honour to the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the fully Enlightened One." He did this three times.... He then continued, "We give all our earned merit this day to all sentient beings, may you all be guarded and guided." As he started to stand, the Nun kneeling behind him chanted, "Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu." This short heartfelt show of faith was their way, that started their day, every day, in peace. The Nun, who had been his constant companion for the last twenty years, went to help the lay people prepare breakfast. The Holy One had now been in charge of the new Vihara that the Emperor had built, for so many years, he had lost count. Fortunately, there was a time keeper at the Monastery, otherwise time would have had no meaning. His entire purpose, from when he received the bowl and robe, till now, was to ensure he had a worthy successor. He and the Nun had travelled for years looking, searching, offering Peace, Love and Joy, in return for a life of silence, but no one took up their offer. The Holy One knew he didn't have too much time left in this life, so he stopped looking.

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Chronicles 23

ragically the young boy was only twelve years old when his parents were killed. He had a privileged upbringing, not wanting for anything, then the unthinkable, an accident that took everything the young boy held dear.

In the aftermath of all that happened, the young boy found himself at his elderly maiden aunt's house. He barely knew her and to make matters worse, the old house smelled like an old house. The first few days were really bad for him. Strange food, strange noises, and she had cats. The biggest problem was the new school, new teachers and no friends. Of course he rebelled. After two weeks or so, he stopped going to school, stopped eating and became difficult to talk to. His Aunt was so upset she became ill, the local doctor sent her to hospital. The doctor was a good man, he made sure he earned merit everyday and in return the Universe gave him back tenfold. He had enough money for the rest of his life, enough to give to the local Temple, also to care for many orphans and to give scholarships for higher education. When he looked into the boy's eyes, he saw his own truth. He saw love, but he also saw despair and anger. He decided to approach the Temple for guidance. The Abbott had seen many boys who were wild and full of hate and fear. When he met the doctor's boy, all he saw was himself. Empty, but compassionate. He told the doctor and the boy that a silent monk and a nun were visiting and invited them all to lunch. The Nun spoke of silence and of Peace, Love and Joy. The boy was transfixed and could hardly believe the feelings he experienced when she spoke. She explained that in return for a life of silence, one would have all the Love and Joy one needed. She said that when one spoke, the words created suffering with desires, with anger, with useless emotions leading nowhere. It made sense to the boy. The boy looked into the eyes of the Nun and saw Peace and Love and then he looked into the eyes of the Silent Monk, and was shocked. He saw himself as a doctor walking with the Nun. And so the boy was taken into Temple life, and the doctor became the boy's patron, to help shape him into the great man he was destined to be.

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Chronicles 24

he Holy One briefly thought of the boy at the countryside Temple, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if he was the one?"

There one goes again, ego and desire, what if, if only, internally verbalise what the future may bring. The Nun looked at him and said in a firm but quiet manner, "Be calm, don't think of the inevitable, you should place yourself in isolation for a while." So the Holy One left for the rooms that had been built away from all distractions. No sounds, only the arrival of one meal a day. Contemplation and meditation, only the breath... ...only the breath.

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Chronicles 25

he boy became a man.

Graduating from medical college, the doctor, his patron, beamed with joy to see such success. He was placed as an intern in the most important hospital in the city. He loved the work, and couldn't believe he was now a doctor and owed it all to his patron. His parents would have been so proud. His teaching at the Temple held him in high regard wherever he went. Patients spoke of his ability as a healer, and he was sought after by most who came to the hospital. They said you could look into his eyes and see if you would get better. Then something strange happened. His patron asked him to come urgently to the main Temple, apparently one of the monks was ill. He was shown into a stark, dimly lit room and there lying on a bed was a Monk who he thought he recognised. Seated next to the Monk was a Nun who the young doctor did recognise. He remembered her from his small Temple and school where he grew up. The Nun said the Monk did not speak and she would speak for him. She said he had made a decision to die and asked the doctor if anything could be done to prolong his life. The Holy One opened his eyes and looked into the young doctor's eyes and saw his own impending death.

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The doctor said gently, "Would you consider writing a death poem?" The Nun said, "Would you consider the life of a Silent Monk?" The young man replied, "Not only consider being silent, but it is my dream." Hearing that the Holy One squeezed the Nun's hand, closed his eyes and passed into his next incarnation. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu The Nun led the young doctor out of the room and into the garden and said, "Walk with me..."

Nathan can be contacted through nathan@dharmamaster.com

To live a life of Peace, Love and Joy one must practice Silence...

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