Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 94 -
WONDERFUL, GENUINE RECONCILIATION BETWEEN CHANCHAH AND THE HUNDRED CHINESE. - THE LORD AND CHANCHAH.
Chanchah now falls at the feet of the hundred Chinese, begging their forgiveness for what she had done to them, even if not intentionally.
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(The hundred reply unanimously): "Fairest Chanchah, if the great, holy Lama forgave you, how could we hold anything against you? Besides, He has forgiven us too, notwithstanding our many and large sacrifices to Ahriman! Therefore, rise to your feet and pinch the lobes of our ears as a mark of our having forgiven each other from the depths of our hearts."
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Chanchah does as suggested in the sweetest and friendliest manner, and after having gently pinched all the hundred in their ear lobes, she says:
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(Chanchah): "Your hearts be my most precious gems, and the sight of you a treat for my eyes. My heart be a peaceful resting place for you when love has tired you. My arms be a gentle band for you to unite heart with heart, and may the most precious balm flow from my mouth forever into your lives.
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On my bosom may you soar to the stars, and my feet carry you over rough roads. And when the sun has set and the earth is lit by no moon nor by the light of the stars - when it is covered by veils of mist, may my eyes illuminate for you the path of your longing, and may my intestines warm you in the frosty nights of life.
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Thus I will be forever a meek servant to you under all circumstances, because you have granted me forgiveness for my great sin against you."
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(After this speech by the sweet Chanchah, one of the hundred goes to her, lifts both his hands above her, and lightly touches her head with his forefingers, saying): "Oh, Chanchah, how beautiful you now are! I am telling you this with the roar of a mighty gale and also with the tenderness of a fragrant evening breeze playing with the soft hair of the gazelle! You are more beautiful than the sunrise above the blue mountains adorning the great city of the Middle Kingdom, and more glorious than the chu-yu-lukh [one of the most beautiful flowers grown only in the gardens of the emperor]!
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Your head surpasses in loveliness that of a golden dove, and your neck is rounder and whiter than a white gazelle's. Your bosom is softer than down, and your feet smaller than those of an antelope. We love you as much as we love the sun, and your sweetness lightens our hearts as gloriously as the light of the full moon lightens the heaving surfaces of the lakes.
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Thus, from now on also, your wishes shall shine as delightfully in our souls and refresh our hearts, as the stars comfort the hearts of lost seamen who by day had been unable to take their bearings on the wide ocean and set sail for home."
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(Then he turns to Me and says): "Is it right, o friend, that we have accepted this our former enemy like one heart into a hundred hearts?"
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(Say I): "Yes, it is quite right according to your custom. However, since you are no longer in the world, but in the eternal realm of spirits, with different usages and customs, you will have to adapt yourselves to these and follow our example in everything if you want to stay here. But in case you should prefer the customs of your country to those of this house, you would have to join those who will not be reaching this house for quite a while yet."
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(Chanchah): "Beloved and glorious friend of the poor, we shall be like the finest china clay, which can be formed into the noblest shapes. Your will shall be our life's ambition, and your word the holy word of Lama!"
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(Say I): "Come here, fair Chanchah, I shall give you a new garb, which shall adorn you more gloriously than the most beautiful sunrise adorns the white peaks of the blue mountains."
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Chanchah comes to Me eagerly, whilst Martin is already bringing from the golden chest a red robe, decorated with numerous stars. He hands it to Me, and says:
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(Bishop Martin): "This will really look heavenly on the most beautiful Chanchah. It is a true garb of love! I must admit that I really like this Chinese maiden. Her typically Chinese figure of speech still contains a lot of earthly elements, but it is of truly oriental poetry. I would not have thought that the Chinese possessed such an amount of honest lyrics. However, be that as it may, I like it! On no account must we let these people move on!"
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(Say I): "You are right - I, too, like them, and especially the heart of this Chanchah. However, they are still going to cause you some trouble. - But now to Chanchah!
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Here, My sweet daughter, receive this garment. It is the garment of love and wise meekness whithin you. You did betray those who were prepared to accept the truth of the Jesus-Lama, but you became a traitor through the virtue of your country. You only wanted to save the emperor's life and didn't intend to sacrifice your brothers' lives. That was the emperor's doing only. But if he had had your heart in his breast, he would not have done it. Therefore, you are blameless and pure, like this garment I have for you here. Take it - it represents My great love for you!"