Free Strange Light Afar by Rui Umezawa Page B

due modesty, I am not without my share of preternatural powers. I can grant any wish that you would like.”
    I quickly wave the suggestion away.
    â€œI’ve long since given up the comforts of the world. There may have been a time you could have enticed me with promises of riches, fame, good food and the love of a woman, but I left all that behind me when I entered the priesthood.”
    Fleeting images of Miho and Sayuri flash across my eyes. The tengu , however, does not dismiss me so easily.
    â€œAs you say, there are base, material wishes  — those that are pleasurable but empty and fleeting. But are there not also more noble desires? The burning thirst for knowledge or understanding, for example?”
    This gives me pause. I look toward a mountain ridge where a few small clouds have gathered.
    â€œSince you put it that way, I do have one desire. I have always regretted not being alive at the time of the great Buddha. In particular, I would have given anything to be able to witness his sermon on Vulture Peak.”
    â€œIs that it?” the tengu laughs. “Why, it turns out my gift is the ability to travel in any direction in space and in time. I can certainly take you to Griddhraj Parvat and allow you to hear the Awakened One speak.”
    I cannot believe my ears. Can I truly be so blessed?
    Before I can say anything, however, the tengu waves his arms, and the clouds come upon us, enveloping me in a white mist. I shiver as cold beads of moisture sneak down my back. I feel my feet lift from the ground, and the vague sensation that I am flying.
    The sensation does not last long. My feet strike the ground again, and the clouds quickly part, revealing another mountainous landscape. This one is unfamiliar to me. I notice how hot the air is. My heavy robes are stifling, and I feel a bit faint.
    There is suddenly a hand on my shoulder, and I scream. I turn and am relieved to find it’s the tengu .
    â€œSorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
    â€œWhat did you do? Where are we?”
    â€œWhy, this is Vulture Peak.”
    The tengu ’s words make me gasp. This is the legendary summit where the Buddha imparted his most celebrated teachings to his followers? History was made in this very place where I am standing. I am now breathing the same air as the Enlightened One.
    â€œYes, and we do not have much time. The community is about to gather for the sermon.”
    I am so excited I could explode. The tengu appears indifferent when I tell him this.
    â€œListen to me carefully,” he says. “Temporal displacement is a tricky thing. You actually are not fully present in this space-time. If you were, we might wind up with a very messy causality paradox on our hands. So while you will be able to see them, they will not be to see you.”
    I have no idea what he is saying but pretend to be interested. He lowers his voice to a whisper when he notices that people are starting to gather.
    â€œYou can sit here and watch for as long as you like, but do not under any circumstances try to talk to any of them. In fact, don’t say anything at all. They cannot see you but will be able to hear you. If they discover you are here, it could bring about terrible consequences. And by no means call out to Shakyamuni Buddha by name.”
    This seems simple enough.
    â€œDon’t worry. I just want to watch. I will not make a sound.”
    He looks at me worriedly but in the end nods.
    â€œAll right. I have other things to which I need to attend. I will be back after everything is over, so wait for me. Don’t go anywhere.”
    The tengu flies off, and I turn my attention to the gathering crowd. Each one of them appears weary. Their robes are threadbare and their shoulders and elbows are dry and cracked.
    Their faces light up, however, when another figure appears from beyond the rocks. This one is different, although it is difficult to say how. His gait is steady, his limbs