18 pm
Hellen and Fushichin arrived in front of the ShyuDharma temple. The tree leaves rustled in the wind above them. They entered the temple and into the main hall. There were people sitting on chairs in front of a stage, about twenty people. And on the stage sat an old bald man with a long white beard. He was talking to one of the people sitting on a chair in front of him.
“Well, certainly it is an interesting theory, the big bang theory. But really, I don’t know the answer. You ask me how this world is made and I tell you, I don’t know. How would I know? I only know the things I know and don’t know the things I don’t know. Now of course, some people aren’t like me. They know a lot of things. They know things that they don’t know. So they keep on talking about how there is this god, shaped like a human with dragon wings inside the sun and well…I personally can’t disprove that. I’m not trying to blind myself by looking at the sun directly all day just to disprove others.
But that is their trick. They always claim to know something about that which you can’t disprove on your own. And if you can’t disprove it, then they have to be right. Of course, scientists claim that there is a core at the center of the sun. And there is no giant dragon god inside. Just fusion reactions under extreme heat. If a god was there, they would die from the heat and the pressure. And even if he could withstand it, what the hell is he doing there? All by himself, in that ball of heat. Doesn’t he get bored? Doesn’t he get lonely? It is sheer nonsense. There is no god…probably…definitely not in the way some religious people say it to be.”
Saying that Kioku looked at the crowd and said “Anyone else have a question to ask?”
Hellen raised her hand.
“Yes, go on.” said Kioku with a smile.
Hellen got up to her feet and said “How do you overcome hatred, cruelty and crimes? How does one who is so filled with hatred and coldness, fall in love?”
Kioku closed his eyes and became silent. The audience were even more tempted for an answer.
“You need to be utterly empty…for love to happen. Love does not happen to those who are someone. Love only happens to those who have lost themselves. To be someone, to be a self is suffering. Desire, fear, anger, hatred, cruelty are just the by-products of the self. You are always so eager to protect yourself and you’re so afraid of letting yourself die. Do not be consumed by the efforts of the ego. It takes effort to hate, it takes effort to shield yourself with fear. And effort is just another word for…pain. To be something is to suffer. Because it is unnatural, it is against life. Hatred, fear, anger, cruelty, are nothing but attempts to protect the self. Those who oppose you, who stand against your self becomes your enemy. And in order to strengthen the self, you kill, you hate, you destroy, you control others.
But in truth, it is not you who is controlling others, it is you who is being controlled by control itself. Let it go. Surrender the efforts created by fear. And be free. Freed from yourself. That is the only freedom worth striving for.”
“Freedom…from myself?” mumbled Hellen.
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“Yes. Nothingness, emptiness. There is no pain because you don’t exist. Only nature, only life, splendor. That beauty, splendor and life cannot be possessed or controlled by you. Your attempts at grabbing and possessing life is suffering, it is…hate. To let go of yourself and to surrender to life is love.” said Kioku.
“Then what about the love of other people, regular people? What about the love of lovers?” asked Hellen.
“There is no other love than the death of the self. What lovers call love is simply…lust. Obsession, discrimination. To love someone because they were nice to you, kind to you, fulfilled your various desires. To hate someone because they were cruel to you and hurt you. That is not love…it is simply the tricks of the ego. It is not love…simply lust. Lust is always co dependent. You need the person, the object of your lust. Without it, you suffer. It is exactly the opposite of hate. Lust and hate are opposite duals to one another. One desires and obsesses over something, one avoids and is afraid of something. Both are pain.
Love isn’t against anything, it is whole, it is an end to itself. It doesn’t need anything.”
Saying that Kioku looked at Hellen. Hellen looked down, tears appearing in her eyes and she sat down, covering her face in her hands.
******
The sun spread out its last rays across the silky valley of the skies. The orangeness of the sun could be seen in the distance but the gloominess of blues had covered the sky above the temple.
Other listeners had already left. Fushichin eyed the sky with curiosity for a while.
“Hey, don’t you wanna go home? It’s getting late.” said Fushichin.
Hellen was standing next to him. Still looking down with depression.
“No, I have a question to ask him. A discussion that nobody else should hear.” said Hellen.
“Oh, interesting. Can I go then?” asked Fushichin.
“Why are you rushing? It’s not like you have anything better to do. You need to hear what I have to say as well” said Hellen.
Darkness loomed over the temple. With nobody else left inside the temple Kioku started cleaning the stage with his broom.
“Sheesh, you should have gotten a cleaner or something. Isn't doing all this work annoying?” asked Fushichin.
“Hahaha. Why such laziness? Cleaning can be joyful too.” said Kioku.
Hellen entered the room. She searched around the room with her eyes and said “Mister Kioku, could me and Fushichin talk to you alone?”
“We are alone aren’t we? There isn’t anyone here besides me.” said Kioku.
“What happened to the others? Usually they stay late with you.” said Fushichin.
“Arya went with the other three to watch movies and hang out. Zolo said he would visit his relatives.” said Kioku.
“Isn’t it dangerous to be left alone like this?” asked Hellen.
“Hmph. You can never escape from danger. Safety is just an illusion anyway. Don’t worry, who would attack little ol me who lives in a rundown temple. And even if someone would kill me…it’s fine.” said Kioku as he continued to sweep.
“You’re a very interesting person.” said Hellen.
Kioku quietly continued sweeping.
“Can I help you? Should I place the chairs away?” asked Hellen.
“No, that wouldn’t be necessary. People are gonna arrive tomorrow and sit on those. I’ll clean up and let’s go to the personal rooms if you have something to talk with me.” said Kioku.
After Kioku was finished they moved to a room with comfy beds. Kioku got on top of the bed and crossed his legs happily.
“So, what is it that you like to discuss?” asked Kioku.
“It’s about a plan I have” said Hellen.
“Oh, so it really was about that huh.” said Fushichin.
“I want to…save someone’s life. They are going to be killed by others in five years” said Hellen.
“Oh, there is nothing to be ashamed about saving someone’s life. Of course, go-” started Kioku.
“The person I want to save is someone who has been sentenced to execution because she murdered her father. I want to break her out of prison. Not just her. But others as well. I can’t keep ignoring the horrible prejudice and cruelty that is surrounding our justice system” said Hellen.
She looked at Kioku with a determined look.
“I see.” said Kioku.