Free Snow in August by Gao Xingjian Page B

one.
    This Master:
    ( Hollers .)
    Ho!
    That Master:
    ( Hollers .)
    Ha!
     
    [ One Master and Another Master come forward .
     
    One Master:
    Where in the world is Buddha? Speak!
    Another Master:
    Your reverence, under your feet!
    ( One Master looks at his feet .)
    Another Master:
    Flying!
    One Master:
    Not on this side, and not on that side. Flying? What are you talking about?
    ( He remains motionless, looking straight ahead .)
     
    [ The two masters look at each other and laugh out loud .
    Enter Quite Master and Nice Master. The latter is carrying a staff .
     
    Quite Master Quick, tell me, what is Buddha?
    Nice Master:
    ( Strikes once with his staff. Turns and smiles .)
    Whatever gets hit is not it.
    Quite Master:
    ( Smiles .)
    Then why are you still hitting?
     
    [ Nice Master is wordless. Quite Master clasps his palms .
    Right Master and Wrong Master come forward. The latter is holding a bowl in his hands .
     
    Right Master:
    ( Laughing .) Does a dog have Buddha nature?
    Wrong Master:
    Water is in the bowl, clouds are in the sky. ( Pours water on Right Master’s head .)
    Right Master:
    ( Shocked .)
    Why are you doing this?
    Wrong Master:
    ( Giggling .)
    No reason.
     
    [ Right Master and Wrong Master move away in silence. Enter Writer.
     
    Old Master:
    Mister, where did you come from?
    Writer:
    From back there.
    Old Master:
    Where are you going?
    Writer:
    ( Bends down, takes off his shoe and shows it to Old Master. )
    The sole has fallen off.
    Old Master:
    What do you want to do?
    Writer:
    Would you have a cup of tea?
    Old Master:
    You’ve come to the wrong place, mister!
    Writer:
    The place is right, but I’m not sure if I can find any Bodhisattva here.
    Old Master:
    ( Hits him with his staff. )
    You meathead! Don’t you know that this is a Zen temple, and we don’t worship idols here? All the Bodhisattva statues have been destroyed. Why have you still come here?
    Writer:
    All sentient beings are Buddha, are they not? You’re looking at one of them!
    Old Master:
    Ha ha! This one here must be a writer!
    Writer:
    Outside there are lots of sentient beings. I’m not sure if they’re all Bodhisattvas…
    Old Master:
    Learned audience, the house of Buddha provides deliverance for all sentient beings. Whoever wants to become a Bodhisattva, step right in!
    ( Enter Singsong Girl and Laymen. The latter are carrying bricks, hauling timber or lifting tree stumps. There is a lot of hustle and bustle .)
    Singsong Girl:
    ( Pulls the strings. Sings in a high voice .)
    Dhya—na!
    Layman A:
    ( Hauling timber and leading the chorus to sing .)
    Good men and good women,
    Come to the hall and meditate!
    Laymen:
    ( Sing in chorus .)
    All sentient beings are Buddha,
    We are Buddha.
    Layman B:
    ( Places bricks on the ground and uses them as stepping stones. Treads on one brick with each step he takes .)
    To the other shore. The heart is devout, and the steps are strong and steady. Leave not even one footprint—
    This Master:
    ( Takes the brick in front of Layman B, chops it into two halves with his hand, and then throws the halves away .)
    Bad karma !
     
    [ Layman B goes back to carry bricks. This Master keeps on chopping them .
     
    Layman C:
    Is our master practicing kung-fu? How many do you chop in a day?
    This Master:
    I see one, I chop one. ( Again chops a brick into two halves and drops them onto the ground .)
    Layman A:
    Does our master play with cats too?
    This Master:
    I don’t know how! ( Chops another brick into two halves, which go plop when they fall onto the ground .)
     
    [ Layman D brings a stump, stands on it, and raises his foot as if he were practicing kung-fu .
     
    Layman D:
    Heaven moves in strength, and the superior man strengthens himself tirelessly.
    Nice Master:
    ( Strikes down stump with one hit .)
    More bad karma!
     
    [ Layman D falls down .
     
    That Master:
    ( Bends down .)
    Can you get up by yourself?
    Layman D:
    I twisted my ankle.
    That Master:
    ( Walks away in big strides .)
    It doesn’t matter,