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gatha .
    As principal instructor, I’ll have to write it even if nobody will. I’m the only one to do it.
    If I were to plot, if I were to take over the Patriarchate for myself.…Even the thought of it is not right. I can’t possibly force myself to do that, not under any circumstances.
    ( Ruminates .)
    If I don’t present this gatha to the Patriarch, then he won’t be able to know how deeply I have understood the sutra, and I won’t be able to become the true successor and inherit the Dharma. What am I to do? What am I to do! ( Exit. )
     
    [ Silence. The stage turns dark. The nightwatchman’s drum starts thumping .
    Enter Shenxiu holding a candle. He is very watchful and looks here and there .
     
    Shenxiu:
    The watchman has struck for the second watch. All the rooms are silent. When I first became a monk, I only wanted to serve the Patriarch and to purify my mind, so that it would be free from doubt. I have never been ambitious; I have never thought about succeeding the Patriarch. Now the old master wants to pass on the robe and the almsbowl, but his intention is unclear. What is to be done?
    ( Listens to the drum .)
    Luckily no one knows what I’m doing here!
    ( He takes out a brush from inside his sleeve, removes the cap and writes in a frenzy on the wall, reciting .)
    The body is a Bodhi tree,
    The mind a mirror bright,
    Always wipe it clean,
    And let no dust alight. ( Exit .)
     
    [ The bells ring for the morning chanting session. One by one the monks hurry across the stage, which gradually lights up .
    Enter Lu Zhen the painter carrying an ink slab and a brush. He swaggers forward, swaying left and right as he walks. Percussion music .
     
    Lu:
    I’m Wonder Brush Lu Zhen!
    As a painter, I have painted everything under the sun, all of them in beautiful colors and vivid detail. From the gods in Heaven to the ghosts and demons in hell, and from the Queen Mother of the West to Cow Head and Horse Face, the guards at the entrance to Hades, not to mention kings, generals and ministers, boudoirs and studies, and even the secrets of inner chambers. There is but one picture I still haven’t painted, the portrait of Master Bodhidharma from Western Heaven. I don’t know if he had long ears drooping down to his shoulders, or if he had horns growing on his forehead. Lucky for me no one has seen him in person either.
    ( Suddenly looks up .)
    What’s going on here? Yesterday this was a nice, clean white wall, but some scoundrel has scribbled graffiti on it. How impudent and disrespectful! This is no ordinary drafting paper. It’s to be the sacred spot, a place of worship, after a portrait of Bodhidharma has been painted on it. Now it’s been defiled and totally ruined! Outrageous indeed!…Anybody here?
    ( Enter a Novice Monk hurriedly .)
    Novice:
    Master Lu, what’s happened to you? Have you hurt your foot or something?
    Lu:
    Your master has not hurt his foot, thank you very much. Take a look at this wall! Who did this? Do you recognize the writing? The impudent rascal!
    Novice:
    I haven’t got a clue. The words are all messed up.
    ( Enter an Old Monk. He takes a look at the wall .)
    Old Monk:
    Amitabha! Go and tell the Patriarch at once!
     
    [ Exit Novice running. Enter Crowd. They gather in front of the wall trying to identify the handwriting .
     
    Enter Hongren.
    Hongren:
    ( Ponders for a moment .)
    All physical forms, all phenomena and images are but illusions. Master Lu, you don’t have to paint the portrait any more. Since you have traveled a long way to come here, please accept my gift of three silver ingots for your troubles. Leave the gatha on the wall. All of you may study it and cultivate your virtues accordingly. In this way you will not fall and suffer from the evil realms of existence. Well done! Well done!
     
    [ Crowd reads and recites the gatha. Lu thanks Hongren and exits .
    Enter Shenxiu. He stands motionlessly, his head lowered. Upon seeing him, Crowd clasp their hands in greeting then exit