His back slumps, his mind descends into subconscious depths.
Awaken, child!
Instant! Chin tucked, back straight, eyes open- cast upon Quan Yin.
Carved stone and drifting smoke lit red through temple doors.
The air does not move. The birds do not sing.
Sit. Sitting. Sit.
Does a dog have Buddha nature?
-Wu.
Thought. Thought. The dog barks, Wu wu! Wu wu!
Does a dog have Buddha nature?
-Mu.
She sings. He feels Her. He struggles against Her. He steps back.
Wu wu! Wu wu!
Does a dog have Buddha nature?
-No.
Hush thunders. Silence lulls.
Peace transcending all understanding.
She sings, the dog barks.
Wu wu! Wu wu!
He steps aside. He falls.
Hush hush, slip. Quiet.
Back slumps, head nods.
Wu wu! Wu wu! AWAKEN, child!
Fury boils, crawls, thunders in his veins.
Chin tucked, back straight, eyes closed.
As one peels a sticker from an orange.
Bodhidharma lifts his hands and tears his eyelids from his face.
The air moves gently. He throws them at Quan Yin's feet.
A dead leaf drags across the floor. Blood trickles through the tile cracks.
Chin tucked, back straight, eyes...
Open.
Dusk. Twilight. Dark.
The air does not move.
Wu wu, wu wu.
Inevitable. Darkness. Sleep enshrouds his soul.
Hush, child. Protection comes...
Dark. Twilight. Dawn. Eyes...
Open.
The air moves. The birds sing.
Where there was blood there is roots.
Where there was flaps of skin there is a tea plant.
The Iron Goddess of Mercy sings
Wu wu! Wu wu! Awaken Bodhidharma!
Wu wu! Wu wu! Awaken Bodhidharma!
Does the dog have Buddha nature?!
-Mu!
