The Novice Read Online Free PDF Page B

freedom was the result of the successful practice of inclusiveness, of magnanimity.
    Five days later and largely recovered, Kinh Tam donned the saffron-colored ceremonial sanghati robe to prostrate in front of the abbot. Although the novice had not transgressed any vows or committed any offense, still it was because of Kinh Tam that this respected Zen teacher had to bear the brunt of many bad rumors. After the novice finished prostratiing and folded up the sanghati robe, the abbot told his young disciple to sit down. The two older novices were also present.
    â€œAccording to the news your two elder brothers have presented, there’s been quite a commotion about this incident in the village. Only a few people seem to have any understanding or compassion for you. The majority of the villagers tend to believe Mau’s testimony. Everyone is talking about the charge and making a real mockery of it. We are in a grievous situation. You must be very careful, Kinh Tam.”
    Novice Chi Tam joined his palms. “Respected teacher, those who understand and believe in us are the people who come regularly to hear the teachings and help out around the temple, and so had more interactions with you and with us novices. They are practicing the lay precept against speaking untruthfully, and although they have yet to understand the circumstances and may not fully believe that Kinh Tam is completely innocent, they have steadfastly refrained from ridiculing or saying anything disrespectful. Of course, the imprudent people are many. They have a penchant for listening to gossip and spreading rumors. There are those who question why the abbot has not already expelled novice Kinh Tam instead of allowing a person who transgressed his vows to continue to live in the temple. Dear respected teacher, it is true that our community is meeting with misfortune. I see that the three of us novices must do the practice of acknowledging our faults and beginning anew daily, to connect with the limitless wisdom of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity to strengthen our endurance and rise above this calamity.”
    The abbot looked at novice Kinh Tam. “Your elder brother’s suggestion is apt. Though you are innocent and never transgressed your vows, you should still do the practice of acknowledging faults and beginning anew daily. I will also join you in doing the practice of beginning anew, my disciples. We will practice in order to completely cleanse all remnants of past unwholesome karmic actions, to renew our whole being and all our actions. I do not expect any of my disciples to be perfect or never make mistakes. No, my disciples; you, and I as well, we are not yet noble beings. I only require of you one thing: once you have committed an error, you need to learn the lessons it holds for you, so that you never commit it a second time. As long as you can do that, I will always be standing by you and supporting you, whether I am alive or have already passed away.”
    Deeply moved by the abbot’s compassionate words, all three novices stood up and prostrated three times in gratitude to their beloved teacher.
    Later that evening, after the chanting session, Kinh Tam again came to prostrate before the abbot and asked for permission to put up a temporary thatched hut just outside the temple gates to dwell in. Kinh Tam explained that this might help reduce the derisiveness of the villagers’ wagging tongues aimed at the abbot and the temple. At first the abbot demurred, but finally he relented after seeing that Kinh Tam was so eager and sincere about the request.
    He advised, “You are my disciple, my spiritual child, and I have faith in you. I trust you to practice diligently in order to overcome your sorrows and the internal wounds of injustice. Whether or not you have erred, you are still my spiritual child, still my continuation. And I will do all I can to support you on your path of practice.”
    Over the next few