Cinnabar Yang Offers Advice

Cinnabar Yang Offers Advice July 15, 2008

Posted by Geoffrey Wilson in : Book Excerpts, Wisdom Notes , trackback

Kolita drags Upatissa up to the summit of the mountain where the healer Cinnabar Yang resides. Cinnabar Yang is well built, with a tortoise-shaped figure and a crane-shaped back, big ears and round eyes, and a thick and long beard as well as whiskers. He wears a cassock with a palm-bark rain cape and greets the newcomers at the mouth of his cave.

Covered with pure white snow, the Nine-Room Grotto of Precious Immortality overlooks the fertile land of Chengdu. It is here that the two travelers receive their initiation into Chinese spirituality. Tall ancient trees reach to the sky. Emerald vines blot out the sun. Ravines and marvelous peaks stand mysteriously covered over and dressed in the moss of a thousand or more changes of the seasons.

‘People wishing to cultivate their true and essential nature should not seek fame, wealth, or profit. Rather, they should eliminate worry and anger, abstain from sex and alcohol, as well as strong smelling vegetables such as onion, garlic, and chili.’

‘Live in a cloistered residence if possible where you may have occasion to free your mind and read sacred books to perceive their inner meaning without getting caught up in the words. Penetrate herbal lore and you will also have the means to support the Tao and transcend the mundane. Strong personal attachments should not be made, but companions should be chosen to help you on your journey. Those with an illuminated mind, deep wisdom, and strong determination are the best. Don’t forget that the mind must let go of the world of desire, the world of forms, and the world of formlessness. Then it will become pure and your spirit will reside with the immortals and sages. Be attached to nothing and the Tao will be realized!’

The journeyers look at one another dumbfounded. This is certainly a moment to savour.