RI QIN

2017.11​

Materials: Watercolor on paper

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The old man had been a monk dedicated to Buddhism for several decades, spending countless hours meditating before the figure of the Buddha, convinced that one day he would uncover the meaning of his life. He climbed to the mountain peak and sat beneath the rushing currents, believing that being close to nature might yield some insight. Ironically, despite his efforts, he found nothing, yet his unwavering dedication attracted many who sought their own truths. They marveled at his persistence and invited him to become the master of a small temple, a proposal to which the old monk readily agreed. It was in this temple that he first encountered the young monk. On that day, the little monk was asleep in his room, and the old man was struck by the boy’s remarkable face. “That’s the face of Buddha; he must have great potential,” he thought upon seeing the child. Inspired by this resemblance, the old monk decided to take action. He began teaching the young monk about meditation and self-discipline. They practiced together—meditating, chanting sutras, cooking, and washing clothes. However, the little monk showed little progress, which left the old monk feeling disappointed. When the old monk spoke of Buddhism and the greatness of their ancestors, he saw no spark of admiration in the boy's eyes. He had expected to see wonder and respect reflected back at him. After several years, his frustration grew; he believed the little monk had not improved at all. In anger, he told the boy that he needed to focus on self-improvement, especially given his striking resemblance to the Buddha.  The little monk stared at him for a while, then picked up the candle on the desk, and burned his face. The old monk was shocked and quickly intervened to stop the little monk. "Why don’t you understand?!" the young monk exclaimed before walking out the door. The old monk was left in confusion, grappling with what had just occurred. Suddenly, a realization dawned on him, and tears of joy filled his eyes as a broad smile spread across his face. Curious about his outburst, the other monks rushed into the room, only to find the old monk appearing quite mad. “I got it! I got it!” he shouted, bursting with excitement. He hurried out of the room, eager to share his newfound understanding. But when he stepped outside, he discovered that the little monk had already vanished. All that remained were the yellow cassock, a pair of shoes, and the Buddha beads left behind—a poignant reminder of the boy’s fleeting presence and the lesson he had imparted.