Free The Temple Mount Code by Charles Brokaw Page B

scholar’s stones come from lakes, such as from Taihu Lake, and they’re used in gardens. Once the Chinese started using scholar’s rocks, the Koreans picked the art form up in their country, as did the Japanese in their suiseki art.’
    ‘The lesson, you see, is to learn to find and appreciate art in nature.’ Shamar nodded in satisfaction. ‘Now let me show you the cavern that gave this place its name.’ With the easy grace of a child, he stood and walked toward one of the doors.
    Ang took down one of the oil lanterns and fell into step with him.
    Caught off guard, Lourds quickly scrambled to his feet, gave Hu a hand, and followed.

11
    Scholar’s Rock Temple
    Himalaya Mountains
    People’s Republic of China
    July 26, 2011
    From the interview chamber, Lourds followed Shamar and Ang down a twisting passageway into the mountain. Lourds took a mini-Maglite from his backpack to add to the glow given of Ang’s lantern. As the cold from the mountain surrounded him, he regretted leaving his coat behind. He’d assumed that since the monks hadn’t bundled up, where they were going wouldn’t be cold.
    Hu slapped at his upper arms. ‘Nothing like a brisk walk, eh?’ His breath puffed out in small white clouds. ‘Especially after the long trek up a mountainside.’
    ‘I could have done with some more heat. And I honestly thought we were going to bed soon.’ Lourds yawned and shined his light around. There were no tool marks on the wall, which meant the passageway was natural. ‘I have to admit, I’m looking forward to sleeping in a warm bed.’
    ‘So am I.’
    They continued down for several more minutes before the passageway widened into another cavern. When Lourds entered the new room, he saw dozens of scholar’s rocks standing before him. They looked like a massive chess game set out to be played.
    Stunned, he wandered among them, drawn by the enigma they presented. Nearly all of them were taller than he was and weighed several hundred pounds. He ran his fingers along many, discovering the same smooth texture.
    Amazed, he turned back to Shamar, careful to keep the bright light out of the old monk’s eyes. ‘How many are there?’
    ‘One hundred sixteen.’ Shemar stood with his arms in the sleeves of his robe.
    ‘Why are they here?’
    ‘No one knows. This is one of the things the monks that arrive here for training are told to contemplate. We are still awaiting an answer.’
    Overwhelmed, Lourds walked through the forest of stone figures. Many looked like people, the rudimentary shapes showing men, women, and children. He touched oval faces that held only the hint of features, eyes, nose, and mouth. Ears were conspicuously absent. The majority of the outer ring of statues depicted common people.
    ‘This is a farmer. See his hoe?’ Lourds traced the image of the hoe in bas-relief along the rock.
    ‘All I see is a rock.’ Rory stood on the other side of the large stone.
    ‘That is because you choose to see with only your eyes.’ Shamar’s voice echoed over the chamber, and Lourds knew the old man had chosen his spot because the acoustics in the cavern allowed him to be heard like that. Upon further inspection, Lourds saw the small platform cut from the stone floor. The area had been clearly marked.
    ‘Who chose that spot?’ Lourds pointed his flashlight beam over the low rise.
    ‘The speaker’s post was already inscribed when we got here.’
    ‘Look! I found a pig!’ Over to the left, Thompson pointed excitedly.
    The lump of rock was definitely piggish in shape, with a snout and huge hindquarters.
    ‘Here’s a tortoise!’ Gloria Chen strode through the figures and laid her hand on a low figure that was unmistakably that.
    Lourds made his way to her, thinking that perhaps the tortoise would offer a clue as the other one had in Jiahu. The scholar’s rock did indeed look like a tortoise, but instead of having a high, rounded back, it had a flat one. Still, the head, feet, and tail were all in