Chapter 62: To wash off filth, to bathe the mind, just sweep a pagoda; To bind demons and return to the lord is self-cultivation.
In which Tripitaka comes to the rescue of other Buddhist monks (again)
About the reference in the title: Zen stories and parables about enlightenment often involve a monk sweeping. It is a common motif. Of the dozens of domestic chores which monks must perform only sweeping has risen to the level of an archetype. This is because sweeping is a good metaphor for how meditation functions in our life and in our world. Sweeping is an integral part of what it takes to prepare and maintain a place for human habitation. Our habits of mind also comprise a habitation for the self and if there is to be a scrupulous and intentional self, arguably the goal of meditation, some activity analogous to sweeping must be involved.
“Mount the crane to head for Yingzhou”: It is a Chinese mythological island in Mount Penglai where immortals live.
Qoco Kingdom: It was a Uyghur kingdom created in 843, with strong Chinese Buddhist and Tocharian influences. It was founded by refugees fleeing the destruction of the Uyghur Khaganate after being driven out by the Yenisei Kirghiz, who were an ancient Turkic-speaking people who dwelled along the upper Yenisei River. The capital of Qoco Kingdom was near modern Turpan, in Xingjian.
State of Western Liang: The country of women, as we have seen.
About the seatings of the disciples during the banquet: This is not completely related to the seating disposition of our protagonists since each of them uses a different small table, but I wanted to point out that wherever you sit your guests is still very important nowadays in China. The seat of honor, reserved for the master of the banquet or the guest with highest status, is the one in the center facing east or facing the entrance. The guests of lowest position sit furthest from the seat of honor. The seats on the left hand side of the seat of honor are second, fourth, sixth, etc in importance, while those on the right are third, fifth, seventh and so on in importance, until they join together.
See you in 3 days!