Jiang Li walked slowly along the narrow path that began just outside the monastery gate. The old Buddhist monk was very mindful of each step, placing one foot deliberately in front of the other as he practiced walking meditation. He could hear the small birds chirping in the nearby trees, yet in this state of mind each chirp took on its own individual reality and instance in time.
One mile from the gate, Jiang Li came to a clearing beside a fresh mountain stream. He sat down on the grass bank in the lotus position and closed his eyes.
"Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha," he chanted. Using the peacefulness generated by this mantra from the Heart Sutra and the sound of water rushing over rocks, Jiang Li entered into a deeper meditative state beyond thought, beyond form.
"Welcome Jiang Li," came a voice directly in front of him. "Welcome to our realm."
Jiang Li slowly opened his eyes. Before him sat a handsome youth with braided black hair; his eyes were dark as night and his skin glowed as the morning sun. A necklace of seashells hung from his neck and he held in his right hand a sceptre of sculptured coral. Looking up, Jiang Li could see the shimmering image of the sun filtered by water. Jiang Li was now sitting below the surface of the stream.
"Are you surprised I know your name?" the youth asked.
"No I am not," Jiang Li replied calmly. "Suiten, you the guardian of the West know much more than mere mortals." Jiang Li was well versed in Buddhist lore. He knew the youth before him was Suiten, the water Deva. One of the Devas that were guardians of the four directions and four semi-directions, of up and down, of the sun and moon.
"Ah, Jiang Li, I see you know who I am," said the Deva Suiten. "So surely you are aware that we Devas are not immortal. We are born; we breathe, and as all sentient beings, die and rejoin the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth."
"Yes Suiten, I am very aware," said Jiang Li. "For I, in a previous life, was a Deva." He paused and looked at Suiten.
The Deva's eyes widened upon hearing this revelation. "You, a Deva?" he asked with astonishment. "And how do you know this?"
"This will be revealed," replied Jiang Li. "Let me relate my story."
"I did not perform my duties as a Deva to the degree of perfection expected." Jiang Li explained. "Alas, because of the bad karma generated through my actions, I was reborn into the spirit realm of hungry ghosts." Jiang Li bowed his head with sorrow in memory of the many lives he lived as a hungry ghost. The agony of having a large empty stomach, while his mouth and neck, were far too small to allow enough food to pass to satisfy his hunger and desire. "But with much effort I gained enough merit to enter the realm of animals before being reborn as human."
Suiten reached down and pulled a piece of kelp from the river bed. He twisted it a few times around his finger before letting it float off in the current. "We have all lived many lives," responded Suiten arrogantly. "But we are not aware of them. We just suffer the consequences."
Jiang Li bowed in acknowledgment of Suiten's comment. Returning to an upright posture he continued. "Since departing the realm of Devas I lived one hundred and two lives as a hungry ghost then two hundred and fifty-three as various animals. And it is the last of my lives in the animal realm that brings me here today." Jiang Li paused to watch an eel swim by remembering a previous life as one of these creatures.
"Once I was born a tiger cub," He continued. "It was a very dry year and food was scarce. Many animals perished in this drought. I was one of three cubs, one died of starvation while the other fell prey to a hungry male tiger. My karma must have been very bad for me to have been born in such circumstances."
"A most unfortunate rebirth," said Suiten. "Please continue, I am most fascinated to hear the remainder of your tale."
Jiang Li gracefully bowed before continuing. "One day I was lying beside my mother in the shade of a fig tree, when two young men approached on horses. They were of very high birth with bright jewels in their turbans and clothes of the finest silk. On their backs were quivers of arrows and crossbows hung from their saddles. One pointed to us while the other drew an arrow and loaded his crossbow. Raising it, the Prince aimed it toward my mother. She looked down at me. In her eyes was a look of resignation, almost that of relief that the suffering would soon be over. She used her remaining strength to stand up. She was going to die with dignity. On seeing this, the younger of the two Princes pushed the crossbow away from his companion as he pulled the trigger; the bolt flew through the air away from us and thundered into a tree. This young Prince then dismounted from his steed and walked toward us showing no fear. He drew a jewel encrusted dagger from his belt and knelt down beside me. I could see no fear or hatred in his eyes yet I knew I was about to die. My mother, as weak as she was, fell upon me to take the blow from the Princes dagger."
"Such a gracious action," interrupted Suiten. "Most inspiring."
"Yes Suiten," continued Jiang Li. "My mother in that life was a noble creature. But let me conclude my story." Suiten bowed and gestured Jiang Li to continue.
Jiang Li smiled. "The Prince then stood up and tore off his fine silk robes to reveal his perfect, handsome body. Raising his dagger he thrust downward into his own stomach, ripping it open. Smiling he lay down to let us gain sustenance from his sacrifice."
"Such a noble act," replied Suiten. "Surely this Prince gained a fortunate rebirth."
"He most certainly did," said Jiang Li staring directly at the Deva. "He was reborn a Deva."
"A Deva?" quizzed Suiten. "Any particular Deva? How does a simple monk know of such things?" he mocked.
Jiang Li looked deep into Suiten's eyes. "Since that day Suiten, when you made that sacrifice under the fig tree, I vowed to follow your example."
Suiten stood up and took a few steps before resuming his seat. "Me? I was that Prince? How can you know this?"
"Please Suiten, let me explain," continued Jiang Li. "For the last sixteen lifetimes I have been fortunate to have been reborn in the human realm and on each rebirth I have found sanctuary in monastic life. These lives have been spent studying and learning from the great Masters. Now after sixteen lifetimes of meditation I have become awakened and my former lives have been revealed to me."
Suiten leaned closer to Jiang Li. He now knew that Jiang Li was no simple monk, before him sat an enlightened being.
"Since my awakening," said Jiang Li "I have devoted my energies to freeing sentient beings in each of the six realms. I have calmed hell beasts; appeased the desire of hungry ghosts and the hatred of the demons of Asura who live at the foot of Mount Sumeru. I have cared for and freed many animals and given of myself freely to humans. Now I have entered the Deva's realm to not only continue my work, but to conclude it."
"What work is there for you here?" asked Suiten shrugging.
"Suiten," began Jiang Li. "My work here is to give you advice. To save you, to free you from suffering."
Suiten's back became rigid as he shuffled back on the rock on which he sat.
"You lived a compassionate life in the human realm gaining much merit and building very good karma." continued Jiang Li. "Yet I fear as a Deva, you will fall as I did. Good karma may have rewarded you with life as a Deva, but bad karma generated here is multiplied one hundred fold. The fall from this realm is greater than from any other." Jiang Li looked directly into Suiten's eyes hoping to see some compassion in them.
"As I have travelled through the six realms, I have heard stories of your actions. Not all have been good. If you continue in this manner you will find yourself reborn in the realm of hungry ghosts as I did, or worse, in hell." Jiang Li spoke in a matter of fact manner, avoiding the tone of a preacher. "Consider all your actions Suiten, put away your pride, and build good karma. As a Deva you are a divine being, yet you have not yet gained enlightenment." Again Jiang Li paused and looked into the Deva's eyes. "My work is to ensure that you do not engage in the same reckless behaviour as I did. Be compassionate and use the power of a Deva for the benefit of all sentient beings. Then surely the merit gained will provide a favourable rebirth."
Suiten sat motionless pondering what Jiang Li had just said. "You are a most noble monk," Suiten replied. "You have shown the compassion and loving kindness worthy of a Deva, and most worthy of the sacrifice of that handsome Prince many lifetimes ago. I will take heed of your advice. Your reminder of my human existence shall inspire me as it did you." The Deva stood up and gracefully bowed. "But now I must go." In the shimmering waters of the fresh mountain stream, Suiten slowly faded from view.
Jiang Li stood up from the grass bank and slowly made his way back to the monastery deliberately and mindfully placing one foot in front of the other. He was aware of the birds chirping in the trees and the cool evening air upon his exposed shoulders. Yet each sensation lost its own individuality as they became a collective instance in time. Jiang Li smiled.
Jiang Li walked through the gate and across the courtyard and into his small cell. Beside his bed sat Huan Shu, an old frail monk with broken glasses. Jiang Li and the monastery abbot, Huan Shu, were lifelong friends having entered the monastery together over sixty years ago. Huan Shu was looking down at the straw bedding. Jiang Li removed his sandals and lay down and closed his eyes. There was peace in both their hearts.
"How is Master Jiang Li?" asked a young monk as he walked into the cell.
"I have sat by Jiang Li's side all day," replied the Huan Shu. "He has not moved a muscle nor battered an eyelid. Yet... yet I feel he has been on a great journey." He reached down and gently stroked his old friend's brow before looking up at the young monk. "But now that journey has come to an end."