《源氏物语》英译版 Chapter 39 Buddhist Rituals

Chapter 39 Buddhist Rituals

Since last heavy illness Tzu-shang was very weak, not telling where it lay, just painful, tired through whole body. This state still lasted, though not serious at present, yet never turning good because of her being ill for many years. She was more and more weak and thin in strength, making Shiny Yuan very worried about her, for he thought that he would have been untolerable if he had been alive in this world even for an instant after her wife’s death. However, in Tzu-shang’s mind, since she had enjoyed fully the luxury of this material world and without concerns for kid, obstacles and worries, there was no need for leading a long life compulsory prescribed in this world. That the long love between them broke apart worried him in sigh made her in sole sadness secretly. In order to accumulate fortune and virtue for next life, she organized many splendid Buddhist rituals in degrees and implored Shiny Yuan for permission on her will to be a nun. She hoped that she would pay all her attention on Buddhist practice in the left short years, to which Shiny Yuan objected greatly, despite that how honest the will of Tzu-shang was. Actually Shiny Yuan also would like to attend the Buddhist practice as early as possible with her when asked by Tzu-shang. However, once determined to desert the worldly relations, they would never care about trifling things , sticking religiously to the Buddhist practice, with the result that they would meet in the Pure Land of Buddhism to be one couple again. But the fact was that when they were in the period of Buddhist practice at present, they were blocked by hills and brooks even in one mountain, resulting in no seeing each other in two residences. The seriously ill Tzu-shang, recovering little for she was approaching death painfully, made Shiny Yuan hesitant about to be separated from the material world to attend the Buddhism and eventually couldn’t make decision about it, for he was sentimentally attached to Tzu-shang, who would lack cares and love if he insisted on to be a monk for fear that the charm of beautiful scenery of Buddhist should be stained. It was already late for those who are superficial and haste. Without the permission of Shiny Yuan , Tzu-shang was in continuing hatred towards him, for she dared not to be a nun at her will, which didn’t confirm to the tradition and also violate her conscience. At the same time, she felt great sins of her, anxious and anxious.

Once several years ago, Tzu-shang made a vow personally that she would implore monks to copy 1,000 Lotus Sutra in serious character, whose progress was urgent now, so as to hold supply Buddhist rituals, deemed as to be held in her home, the 2nd courtyard from her opinion. As perfect as possible in color and sewing were the ritual clothes for seven monks, which were granted to them according to their functions in the ritual. It proved a successful splendid Buddhist ritual without Shiny Yuan’s concrete guidance, all managed through Tzu-shang, which made Shiny Yuan felt the excellency of the intelligence of her, and astonished at her being considerate and careful whether on the people or on things, and even her attainments on Buddhist rituals. Shiny Yuan only helped in main preparement of the Buddhist ritual, while affairs about the choice of musician, dancer and so on were all General Shi-wo’ s part.

The reciting of sutra books, other offerings and donation piled to a small hill were provided by His Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince, Her Majesty the Empress Chou-ho, Her Majesty the Empress Mei-shi and all concubines of Shiny Yuan, and even people in all respects. Since the supply of Buddhist ritual was popular among almost whole government officials in different rank, this ritual was unprecedentedly splendid in great scale. People unable to know when she imaged and prepared for this, but the vow she made many years ago came true eventually. This day Huasan-li and Ming-shi Shiny Yuan’s two concubines were all present.

Tzu-shang, ordering that the gate at south and at east should be opened to organize a meeting, was seated herself on the cottage called “Tu-lo” located to the west of her private palace while the seats of the concubines of Shiny Yuan were located in the Northern house of her private palace, blocked by screen in the middle.

This day was 10th, March in lunar calendar, when cherry blossom trees were in full bloom as pink cloud glory under clear sky. The cool breeze was up, with pleasant traces of spring adrift. The scenery of Amitabha’s pure land in Buddhism might similar to that of this courtyard here. When you were present at such meeting, you could find that your sins were all removed, not to mention those who with little belief on Buddhism. All monks recited “cut off log for firewood” and held relevant ritual, the sounds of which were as sharp as rising to sky. The sound of reciting gradually faded away, a feeling of loneliness stole over people to let them sigh. And also the weak Tzu-shang, who felt more lonely and sad to turn all herself thoughts into ashes, made an impromptu poem to Her Majesty the Empress Mei-shi through His Highness the third prince:

“The life is entirely spread before me, not worth the while.

And my terminal of which like burnt firewood was also desolate”.

Her Majesty the Empress Mei-shi, feeling she would have been an unsophisticated woman from others if she had answered also with sentimental words, answered something perfunctory:

“Your life begins from this day on since your thoughts on the ritual of firewood,

Which will be long as you are devout to Buddha”.

The ritual was held overnight, where the incessant sounds of serious reciting and drums of dancer and musician matched with each other, as charming as possible. When in dawn, a variety of colorful flowers and plants appeared in the rosy clouds, with spring dwelling on people’s bosom most of the time. The chirps of many birds were gentle and touching, also as sharp and melodious as the sounds of flutes. This atmosphere aroused people’s strongest emotions. At this time the dancer music Langling King ‘s Battle into Enemy’s Troop was played, and turned sharp at the last chapter of music, people noisy with excitement. People all took off their robes as rewards for all musicians and dancers, which were vivid in color, who , though dazzled, was greatly touched. Those who skillful at dance and music among princes and ministers also exhibited their talents, to be as perfect as possible. All rejoiced in high spirits regardless of what rank they belonged to. Seeing this happy scene, Tzu-shang, feeling she would die soon, couldn’t help in strong sadness, sighed and sighed her life again and again with great emotion.

The Buddhist rituals continued on next day. Tiredly, Tzu-shang had to lie for rest. For many years many handsome princes and kids of ministers skillful at sing or dance were assembled to display their talents in an elegant manner. The pleasant sounds of zithers and flutes, with tripping dance steps, made Tzu-shang feel that it was the last time for her to enjoy it today, so beginning to pay attention to even the aspects of those she knew little, sorrowfully. As in past, when it came to sing and dance parties in four seasons such as in summer and in winter, Tzu-shang and all concubines of Shiny Yuan met with one another to be in harmony on the surface, though all strived for his favor. Tzu-shang met them again this day, feeling more sad and lonely, for she would perish into soil prior to them, though there was no immortal one in this world.

Once the rituals were over, all concubines would be away from her residence. Not wanting to part with them in such way, she made a poem to Hua-san Li:

“The rituals of Buddhism these days were over in my life,

Which my emotion and marriage in later generations depends on.”

She felt that they would never see one another.

“Since the Buddhist rituals were almost over, the emotion and marriage will be brought on

You continually in later generations , ” said Hua-san Li.

After the Buddhist rituals came “constant reciting sutra” and repentance, so serious, so solemn, without any negligence. However, all kinds of rituals and prayers didn’t work on Tzu-shang, still being held on many temples at the same time, just a regular practice for them.

Tzu-shang was sensitive to hot weather as in those past summer days, sometimes even almost in stupor, so she was naturally more painful than ever before this summer. Not telling where the illness lay, she only felt she was weak in whole body, but not reaching to the extent of being seriously untolerable in faint. All waitresses, at a loss about the future, felt no bright prospect before them, and were sorrowful and sorry for her when their Mistress Tzu-shang was about to be dead. Since the illness of Tzu-shang, her step mother, was such serious, Her Majesty the Empress Mei-shi asked days off from His Majesty to pay a visit to her. Since she prescribed in advance to live in the side palace in the east of the courtyard, Tzu-shang welcomed the Empress here. Thinking of not seeing Her Majesty the Empress Mei-shi and what they would be about those little princes , she felt sorrowful and scared about these everything when the ritual of Her Majesty’s returning to her parents home was held as usual as in court code. She listened carefully about those sounds of names read by those ministers themselves, whose number was huge in volume to come with Her Majesty, to discriminate this sound from another sound. Since long time no see, His Mahesty the Empress Mei-shi was very fervent to meet Tzu-shang in emotion, expressing her cares to her step mother. At this time, Shiny Yuan came into the house, said, ”Just like a bird without nestle I am, so boring and lonely, I will go there for sleep.” He felt glad on Tzu-shang’s getting up today, nonetheless just a solace. Tzu-shang said to Her Majesty the Empress Mei-shi, “ We are now lived in two places. It is humiliating of you to live in my palace while I can’t come where you live.” So she decided to sleep in east palace that night, which Meishi-chun also came to. Meeting together, all talked wholeheartedly. Thinking many affairs, she, refraining her emotion, just talked much of changeable unsteady develop progress of things and people, not reflecting about affairs after her death. What she said, though less with deliberation, was profound in meaning , more sorrowful and desolate than even 10,000 words. Seeing the prince and princess born by Her Majesty the Empress Meishi, she said, “I really want to witness their coming of age, presumably because of I want to live longer in this world, but life is as short as the morning dew. ” She was in tears after that, startlingly graceful. Not knowing why her step mother always pondered on these things, she naturally in tears also.

Afraid of an unlucky feeling came on Her Majesty the Empress Meshi, she didn’t talk about her affairs after death, and just thought out of those waitresses around her for many years someone would be helpless without reliance, so pitiful after her death, ordering that certain waitresses should not be forgotten and could be cared well. Since the ritual of reciting sutra would start soon, Tzu-shang returned to her west palace.

His Highness the third prince was excellently delicate and refreshing among all princes, often playing everywhere. One day, still well, Tzu-shang called in His Highness before her bed to be seated, asked secretly ,

“Will you miss your grandmother if I die?”

“I will miss you very much, for I love you better than my father and mother. If you are dead, I will be very sad,” said he, rubbing his eyes, very lovely. Smiling, but weeping next second, she said, “This house belongs to you when you grow up. When it comes the flower season for plum and cherry blossom in this courtyard, remember have a good watching. And also you can pick some for the supply of the Buddha.” His Highness nod and nod again, staring at Tzu-shang. With tears out of control, he hurriedly stood up, turning away from the house. Both His Highness the third prince and Her Highness the grand princess were brought up by Tzu-shang, and it was her pity and sorrow not to witness their good marriage and development in careers.

Eventually the autumn came, it grew gradually cool, with a little relief on the body of Tzu-shang, whose illness was still unsteady and worsened again with even a little negligence. Alas! “Although the desolate autumn breeze was not seeped into the heart”, her clothes were wet and wet with endless tears. The desolate and sorrowful feelings attacked her everyday.

Since Her Majesty the Empress Meishi would return to her palace, Tzu-shang, having intended to ask her for being her side longer , felt her will imposed on her too much, thus did not speak of this anymore while current His Majesty urged the Her Majesty the Empress’s return for many times. However, Tzu-shang hadn’t gone to west palace to see the Empress off this moment, so the Empress cared not about her being insulted to bid farewell to Tzu-shang in her palace. Though violating the code of court, the ritual for welcoming her was managed in east palace, for in Tzu-shang’s opinion, it was a pity of Her Majesty the Empress to part without farewell. Extremely thin and weak now, Tzu-shang should appear more elegance, charming, graceful and excellent than ever. Compared as brilliant flowers in spring, she was exceedingly beautiful in delicate aspect, later becoming refreshing and calm now.

Feeling she would leave the world soon, she tasted the changeable unsteady develop progress of things and people, not refraining her pains. At a night with rustling winds Tzu-shang sat up to lean on the rail, watching the flowers and trees. It happened that Shiny Yuan should enter, who, seeing her, said,

“Today you can get up. You are higher in spirit since the coming of the Empress.”

But Tzu-shang only felt a pang of grief for Shiny Yuan’s being so happy once even her illness turned a little better. “Alas! How sorrowful would he be when I die!” Thinking of this, she couldn’t refrain her pains anymore, recited a poem,

“The left dews on reed are rare to see,

Which become dry once blew by autumn winds.”

Comparing herself as left dews on reed, she was in messy mind state, once the rustling autumn winds of life were up. Hearing this, Shiny Yuan was in great sentiment, turning to the courtyard, answering,

“The worldly affairs and people all like left dews to strive for disappearance,

Together with you.”

After that, Shiny Yuan had been in full tears. Her Majesty the Empress Meishi also recited,

“The world dry the left dews like autumn winds,

Can it only be the frost on grass?”

“It is elegant and graceful of them if they will be in harmony with each other for 1,000 years,” thought Shiny Yuan. However, he was greatly sorrowful by the unsmooth hunch that Tzu-shang’s lot was controlled by heaven and her life would not be cured to last long.

All at once Tzu-shang said to Her Majesty the Empress Meishi, “Go back to your palace! I am excellently painful now. It is impolite of me to have a good talk with you since I am seriously ill.” So she lay with screen down. Finding that she was more painful and endangered than in normal times, Her Majesty the Empress Meishi asked, “How do you feel? ” Grasping her hands, she stared at Tzu-shang, in great tears. Just as the left dews on reed recited on poems above would dry, Tzu-shang’s life was coming into end. The whole residence was instantly in disorder, servants sent to all temples around to organize reciting prayer rituals by monks. Tzu-shang had ever been faint but come to life at last, therefore he was thought to be possessed by ghosts temporarily. However, all Buddhist rituals were held for whole night, but it was of no avail on Tzu-shang. Tzu-shang met her death like broken jade and faded fragrance in daybreak hour of next day.

Her Majesty the Empress Mesh, thus unable to return to palace on time, felt the deep relation between them as determined as by divine intervention, since she could be on Tzu-shang’s side when she was approaching her death.

The whole 6th courtyard was lost in extreme sadness, since all didn’t regard the death of Tzu-shang as ordinary parting of death in world. The extreme sorrow like broken dream in dawn was naturally apprehensible when at a mess in minds separated from the elegance dead woman forever. All were distracted and confused, no clear in mind even one. All waitresses were in great tears. More distracted was the Shiny Yuan, at a loss. At this time, General Shi-wo entered the house, and was called in to be beside the screen. Shiny Yuan said,

“It has been the terminal of your mother in her life. It is pitiful of her not to be a nun since she admires Buddhist practice for many years. And also it seemed that the masters for prayer rituals and the monks for reciting sutra has been away from here, but still some are here. Since this life can’t do good to her with virtue, I hope that she at least could be blessed by Buddha in bardo. Tell those monks left that they should make haircut for Tzu-shang right away. But I don’t know who can do this among them. ” Bestirring himself grudgingly, he couldn’t refrain his tears, gone down the cheek while it was excellently pale on his face. Feeling his father’s sadness, General Shi-wo knew it very much, sorrowful also himself. He said,

“The possessing ghosts can bewilder man’s mind, not to mention in faint, so it might be like this this time. After all, it is indeed good for her will of being a nun to come true anyway. I once hear that the dead will enjoy the virtue of haircut ritual once be a nun even for one day and night. However, if this ritual was held after her death, she might not be illuminated by the shine of Buddha and further to the Pure land of Amitabha. Only sorrow is added to the dead in reverse. So what do you think about this, Dad?” Convening all monks left to prepare for the Buddhist rituals of 49 days, General Shi-wo ordered them to reciting sutra for prayers. Thus theses rituals after her death were all managed by General Shi-wo.

Though not daring to think too much on her step mother, he longed for a chance to witness her aspect or listen to her sound even a little as past years long before, which was haunted on his mind for many years, never been given up. Although he couldn’t hear her sound now, her dead aspect was worth the while to watch, thus his will would be satisfied. So the chance was now! He would have been regretful if he had not grasped it. With this in mind, he pretended to stop all waitresses from shedding tears though he also was in tears, said,

“Stop your tears temporarily ! Be quiet!”

Muttering something, he raised up the screen curtain regardless of the waitresses present. The faint rays of dawn were outside while it was dark inside. Shiny Yuan took burning candle towards dead Tzu-shang so that he could see her remain. Tranquil as if asleep, she was still elegant in appearance. How pitiful it was of her to end her life like faded fragrance and broken jade. Shiny Yuan permitted his son’s watching at her step mother ‘s remain lastly when he peeped, and said,

“Still charming was her aspect, whose life had been deserted by her distinctly.” After this, he rasied his sleeve to cover his tears. Misty and dark were also General Shi-wo’ s eyes, he tried to open to admire his step mother’s remain, which caused endless sorrows and infatuation. Her long ink-black hair , dense and thick ,spread naturally, which was as straight as possible, brilliant, charming and beautiful. Her aspect was clean and clear, more excellently graceful even faultless than when she dressed and made up now that she lay quiet and calm in the light of candle. Admiring the astonishing perfect aspect of his step mother, he should dream of his death to fall upon her body. But it was impossible of course.

Those close waitresses of Tzu-shang for many years had cried too much to speak. Though extremely painful, he bestirred himself grudgingly manage all affairs about Tzu-shang’s funeral. Although he had ever experienced several deaths of his parents and relatives, he was never as sorrowful as this, which was unprecedented and presumably never happened again. In accord with court code, the ritual of funeral of Tzu-shang should be held this day, which was the strictness and cruelty of the worldly life, for the dead’s corpse had to be buried after all. The broad plain was crowded with people for funeral. Although the ritual of cremation was seriously solemn, Tzu-shang turned into a light smoke on sky after all. Necessary as it was, it was still desolate and sorrowful. Faint in thoughts, Shiny Yuan almost couldn’t be up, only leaning upon others’ shoulder to be present at the crematory. All, even those in the bottom of society, were touched by Shiny Yuan, who was greatly painful. As if in dreams, those waitresses for funeral were also lost in numerous and complicated thoughts, not even taking one step forwards. As I knew, certain waitress was even at the verge of falling off the carriage, which made servants in a mess.

The scene in daybreak that Kui-shang, General Shi-wo’s mother, was dead came over Shiny Yuan, where although people are exceptionally sad, the moon was bright as to discriminate things and people from another. But this time all were in darkness, with nothing be seen clearly. Tzu-shang was dead in 14th, and now was the daybreak of 15th. Soon, the sun was up, bright and warm all over the plain when all morning dews dried clean. Suddenly feeling this life was as short as morning dew, he was more negative on his life. “How many days are left for me this life?” he asked himself. As the sorrow grew, his will to be monk appeared on him., for he colud take this chance to make his will come true. However, afraid of being laughed at by later generations for his weak feeling if he did this now, he held over it temporarily to prepare later, so he now was only tearful and sorrowful, untolerably.

During the period of funeral of Tzu-shang, General Shi-wo lived in the second courtyard all the time, accompanying his father days and nights, never to the outside. He sympathised his father since his father was still sorrowful and painful, so he tried his best to console his father. The twilight dusk with cold autumn winds made General Shi-wo think of his once peeping at the aspect of his step mother Tzu-shang in that great winds, refreshing and close, while as if in dream when saw her remain this time. With these buried deep in mind, he secretly tasted on them when in privateness. Couldn’t help feeling sorrowful also, he was in tears, hurried to fidget the Buddhist beads of his for fear that his mind would be looked through by others, and muttered and muttered” Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha……” ,as if to recover again. Next he recited,

“Her aspect once was attractive to me in past autumn dusk,

Whose remain today was as infatuated as in a morning dream.”

Even these remained memories produced sadness and sorrow. At the same time all monk began to recite sutra, as seriously solemn as possible, for it was indispensable that the Buddhist rituals should be held in accord with the court code. Moreover, the reciting of Lotus Sutra would be added to mourn for the death of Tzu-shang.

Lying awake at night with appetite lost in daytime, Shiny Yuan was so sad in tears that his eyes were blurred all day. Recollecting his life course this life, he looked in the mirror feeling that he was unlucky although he was handsome in aspect and excellent in atmosphere and outstanding above people on others. He, having ever wanted to be monk under the guidance of Buddhism , deeply felt his sorrowful fate that was changeable and unsteady since his idle time now resulted in his extremely unprecedented pain that even less happened in later generations. Since now he worried less about the worldly life, he could be absorbed in the practice of Buddhism, without obstacles. But his numerous and complicated thoughts with no deliberation couldn’t adapt him into the life of monk. Therefore, he prayed to Buddha,” May you bless me, make me less painful and forget sorrow!” Console messengers from all ranks came to Shiny Yuan. The 6th courtyard was frequently visited by a variety of ministers below His Majesty, though the standards of the reception rituals were in violation of the court code, honest and splendid. Having been determined to be monk, oblivious of worldly affairs, Shiny Yuan worried that people might think foolish of him to be sorrowful and weak when he was in his late life, eventually to retire to empty temple, never returned to worldly life. Taking the gossips spread in world, he was unable to have his will fulfilled, which added one sigh with emotion in vain to him.

The retired former prime minister, his father-in-law, took proper chances to mourn for the death of the unique Tzu-shang in Shiny Yuan’s mind, for he was very sociable in political circles, so he consoled Shiny Yuan frequently. Since her daughter, Kui-shang, General Shi-wo’s mother, also was dead in this season, he was exceptionally sorrowful and lost in thoughts when evening approached. He recalled that among those who mourning for her daughtr’s death in past years only few was alive now, and that the changeable and unsteady life of world meant almost the same life whether you are long or short in age. The twilight in sky worried on him, so he wrote a letter asking his son, Major General Tzeng-ren , to send it to Shiny Yuan in 6th courtyard.

Deep in emotion and sincere in tone, the letter was attached a poem,

“The memory of the past death in autumn came over me today,

Whose old tears in sleeve were added by new tears.”

Shiny Yuan answered,

“Since there are no difference between the old and the new,

Only the twilight in autumn most sorrowful.”

Worrying his father-in-law’s reproach on weak feeling if he expressed his sad feeling too much in his reply, Shiny Yuan only scribbled down words such as “ thanks for your sincere console for many time” and so on to be polite, for he knew the former prime minister ‘s character very much.

When his former wife was dead, Shiny Yuan recited the ancient poem such as ”the sepia mourning clothes made in accord with the court code”, so he did like this. But he was on inkier mourning clothes now. It is general that in this world those who enjoy fully the luxurious life would always be disparaged by people; that they might be arrogant even humiliate others. But it was only Mrs.Tzu-shang that was modest, tender and prestigious, admired and appreciated even by those without relation. How incredible it was! Her gestures and words were always praised by people in every occasion, for she was charming with the elegance of nobility when attending banquet in an honest and considerate manner. Therefore, even the chirps of insects and sound of autumn winds even saddened those ordinary people knowing little about Mrs. Tzu-shang after her death while those once witnessed her was more sad and in constant tears. As for the waitresses around for many years all were in the hatred that they were still alive on the world with endless sorrow. I heard that some of them even became nun returning to Buddhist temple in deep mountains.

Her majesty the Empress Chou-hao, representing current His majesty Ling-chuan, wrote official letters to Shiny Yuan for times to console him, honest and eager. One poem in it was as below,

“It is merciless of the withered and dried wilderness,

When late autumn catch not people anymore.

Now I know why she doesn’t like the scenery of autumn.” Though faint in thoughts, he still read this letter, again and again, as a diligent reader. “Now only Her Majesty this empress can communicate with him, make poems from different mood, to console himself, ” thought he. Alleviated by this, he still was in flowing tears to wipe frequently. Unable to write a letter as reply, he only made a poem with an effort,

“Since it was the duty of you to favor me when you lived in nine-fold palace,

While I hate this life, only sighing the changeable and unsteady human world.”

With it enclosed, he was lost in blank thoughts again. Feeling in faint thoughts recently and distracted in spirit, he often lived in waitresses’ room to relax himself. He ordered that only few waitresses could be left before Buddha, so that he could recite sutra and attend the Buddhist practice deliberately and calmly. Having intended to be married with Tzu-shang for a whole life and even last for 1,000 years, he was full of pity now since man’s fate was managed by heaven, and that of Tzu-shong was also like this. He now only expected himself to meet her after his death, going together towards the Pure Land of Buddhist. He was pure in mind except this. However, it was pitiful of him for though absorbed in Buddhist practice for becoming Buddha when in bardo, without any laziness, he was afraid of people’s mock.

All affairs such as Buddhist rituals during Tzu-shang’s mourning period were in the full charge of General Shi-wo independently, for Shiny Yuan was only in his will of being a monk, devoid of denoting and plan for it. Every day he thought that he would be a monk today, but he just only wasted his life, faintly, faintly, as if in dream. Her majesty the Empress Meishi also recalled Mrs. Tzu-shang, and was sentimentally enough attached to her, unforgetful.