“So, my darling children,” said Juéxǐng.  “How do you think the Theravids misunderstand the life of the Buddha?”

The children seemed confused.

He continued.  “They ignore the most crucial part of the story, where the Buddha could have entered nirvana but instead chose to help others.  They are selfish and lazy; they sit around focused only on finding their individual peace.”

Morris ruffled his brow.  He disliked Juéxǐng, as he would dislike any man who sicced goons on him, but he agreed with Juéxǐng’s interpretation of Buddha’s mission.  Frankly, the idea that Buddha’s ultimate goal was personal enlightenment, rather than helping to enlighten others, seemed preposterous.  Morris shivered at the thought he might find the Theravids somehow less agreeable than Juéxǐng.

Juéxǐng had become visibly agitated.  “When I was a little boy my sister, Yuèguāng, was everything to me.  The Theravid monastery was our personal playground.  We played Pāo Shí every day; I would get my stones closer to the center, and we would laugh and cheer together even though we both knew she let me win.  She cooked stews of root and fungus so I would grow healthy and strong.  Meanwhile, my father meditated in the corner.

“As I grew I attracted unwanted attention from an older woman from the village.  She bought me gifts; she gave me looks and compliments which made me feel uncomfortable; she ‘coincidentally’ encountered me several times a week.  My sister told her off and tried to complain to others, but the monks refused to listen and the villagers refused to believe their friend was a predator.  Meanwhile, my father meditated in the corner.

Juéxǐng continued.  “One night as we returned home, the woman clubbed Yuèguāng over the head and dragged me into the woods.  I cried out, but both the monastery and village were far away.  She threw me against the ground, then bound my arms and legs with rope.  She tried to blindfold me and I bit her hand; she rocked backwards, and Yuèguāng staggered up and hit her head with a rock.  Blood trickled down the woman’s face and poured down Yuèguāng’s.  Yuèguāng threw her rock at the woman, then started throwing every rock within reach.  Yuèguāng’s accuracy was greatly hindered but the woman ran off; we never saw her again.  I helped Yuèguāng home and into bed.  I tried to take care of her.  Meanwhile, my father meditated in the corner.

“Yuèguāng was not the same after this.  She frequently fell victim to chills and aches; she started to believe she was in different places.  Sicknesses devastated her, making her cough until she choked up blood.  One night her pain was so terrible that she could not help but cry.  I begged our father to help her for hours.  He meditated in the corner. 

“Yuèguāng kept crying, then started a coughing fit so horrific I thought I would die just hearing her.  Our father finally opened his eyes; they were filled with rage.  This would be one of his worst outbursts, though the content was much the same as always.  He shook Yuèguāng and yelled, ‘You insolent pest!  You troublemaking dog!  Are you incapable of behaving?  My head rings with the echoes of your whining!  You should have left with your mother!’  He smashed a fist into the wall beside her head, then roared with pain.  Yuèguāng and I ran outside and hid in the woods, huddling together in a hole to keep warm.  I was terrified but her arms were my true home; I slept soundly.

“In the morning, when I awoke, I said something to Yuèguāng.  I wish I could remember what I said.  Maybe I asked if she was okay; maybe I told her I loved her.  But it didn’t matter what I said.  Her skin was cold.  There was nobody there to hear me.“  Juéxǐng wiped away tears.  “When I returned home, my father was meditating in the corner."

Morris shook his head and sighed.  “Heartless,” he said to Voss.

“Is such behavior normal?” said Voss.

“Not every human is heartless,” said Morris.  “Some are just moronic, irrational, or self-absorbed.”

Juéxǐng continued, his tone gravely serious.  “Theravids are depraved, wicked, and sinful.  They care about nobody and nothing in this world.  They think impermanence means forsaking the world entirely, not just forsaking clinging to worldly things.  But the Buddha taught us that the enlightened help others find peace rather than coveting peace for themselves.  Inner peace is only meaningful because it helps one battle the forces of chaos.”

Now it was Morris’s turn to be confused. Obviously the father’s actions were infuriating, but while he just ignored evil the Mahayan woman was evil. And regardless, neither group deserved blame for the actions of an individual.