South Temple

Dante knew that compared to many of the people in Taiwan he appeared to be quite ego-centric. He wasn’t devoted to supporting his family group. He was in it for himself. Hopefully, he thought, the talent that he was nurturing in himself would make a splash and the world would understand and appreciate his specialness.

In Taiwan, it didn’t help his egotistical tendencies that everyone was always complimenting him about how smart and capable he was. Before he could spit out one word, strangers would be complimenting his Chinese.

Buddhism intrigued Dante on an intellectual level. The “Life is Suffering,” precept of Buddhism didn’t appeal to him, though. After all, he was enjoying life. What suffering?

Buddha Flower took Dante on a hike along a well-trodden trail on the northern edge of Taipei city. It followed a yellowish, slimy, polluted river and ended at an old temple. They had lunch at the temple, a simple vegetarian meal cooked and served by bald nuns. Buddha Flower explained that payment for the lunch was optional. She placed some bills in the collection box as they left.

As they were leaving the stillness of the temple back on the path through the tropical vegetation, some nuns began to chant. It was a low drone, almost like the buzzing of insects.

“What’s that?” Dante asked Buddha Flower.

“That is the Heart Sutra. It is the most important sutra for a Buddhist,” Buddha Flower said smiling.

“What does it mean?”

“Form is Emptiness. Emptiness is Form.”