NDIA BECKONS XIAO MING

 

Chapter 7

INDIA BECKONS XIAO MING

“To other countries I may go as a tourist, but to India

I come as a pilgrim.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

As was her wont, Xiao Ming reached the airport well in time. The international airport at Kuala Lumpur housed luxury lounges, a wide variety of restaurants, children’s play areas and duty-free stores. But Ming was interested in moving around and pacing the airport. The athlete in her craved continuous movement, just as her brain that could never be still and calm.

Having completed the formalities, she walked up to a book store and purchased two books by the prominent new-age alternative medicine advocate, Deepak Chopra. The first one, Buddha A Story of Enlightenment was a work of fiction and the second one, a book called Ageless Body and Timeless Mind. After some shopping she began poring through the novel. Her hedonistic self-pined for an ageless body and she reserved that book for a more thorough read at a later time.

Once boarding was announced, Xiao Ming headed towards departures.   Soon   she   was   aboard, sandwiched   between   two passengers, carrying the books, her carry-on luggage and was beginning to feel cloistered. The young woman’s usual preference was either an aisle seat or a window seat. The person occupying the window seat already had his ears plugged with earphones and eyes closed.

Xiao Ming was a headstrong woman who seldom asked for assistance, but on this occasion, she was wondering whether she should seek a favour and request the passenger to trade seats, but wisely refrained from doing so.

The pilot made the routine welcome and pre-departure address and then the flight took off smoothly. Xiao Ming was still struggling to settle down peacefully. She tried to continue reading, but her vision kept moving towards the ceiling of the aircraft.

Suddenly, Xiao Ming’s gaze noticed the serene and contended look on the face of the person, who appeared to be Indian; “window-seat-man”, as she was labelling him in her mind.

To her other side was a Malay who appeared to be playing games on his smart phone and after sometime switched to his laptop. He appeared to be making calculations on a spreadsheet and was constantly fretting and fuming. She herself was grappling to discover
some physical and mental space. Ming was discomposed observing the tranquillity of the person seated next to her. They all appeared to be in the same age-group and she was trying to figure the personalities of the co-passengers. The person seated left to her seat looked wealthy but seemed extremely contented and composed while the one seated to her right was juggling with numbers and fretting, fuming and sweating even in an air-conditioned environment as the flight was gaining ascendancy.

“Good afternoon, sir, what will you have?” a petite airhostess woke up “window-seat-man” from his sleep. He slowly opened his eyes and ordered a vegetarian meal. Xiao Ming too ordered vegetarian fare, while the Malay was happy to devour pork sandwiches.

Xiao Ming sported a weak smile.

“Indian?”  she ventured hesitatingly. The gentleman to her left took a moment to second to realise that she was addressing him. “Oh, yes! Anav Athreya, Indian,” he finally spoke. The prepossessing Chinese blessed with wonderful assets, an athletic and well-toned body normally drew attention wherever she travelled. But her Indian co-passenger seemed different. The Malay did admire her physical presence and briefly spoke to her but could not engage her attention.

“Well, presently I am travelling home to India from London on a holiday. I’ll be travelling on to Chennai to visit my parents. I work in Shenzhen,” he spoke gently, with a few pauses here and there, as though wanting to make sure she understood what he was speaking.

“Oh, what a coincidence! I am from Shenzhen too. I’m Xiao Ming,” she said with a broad smile. “I’m a computer engineer and well, I am travelling to India too.”

“Yes, this flight goes to India!” Anav remarked.

“I have booked myself on the Buddhist Circuit trail and intend to visit various Buddhist shrines and try to discover Buddha. Of late I have been visiting several Buddhist shrines and locales based in China, Malaysia and Thailand,” Xiao Ming spoke with purpose.

After this short, initial burst of conversation, an uneasy silence took over. Xiao Ming broke the silence by asking, “Incidentally were you meditating or listening to some music which was so spellbinding and riveting? Close to forty minutes since the flight took off and you sat motionless without uttering a word. To me it looked as if I was sitting next to a meditating monk!”

Anav burst out laughing. “Me and a monk … not happening, ever! On the contrary, I am more of an agnostic, a non-believer. At best you can call a me God-fearing kind of a person. My mother is highly religious and performs various rituals and propitiates all the deities in our neighbourhood. My dad is a retired civil servant. He is an agnostic and enjoys reading.”

After a pause he added, “Though when in India, I do accompany my parents to temples and reluctantly participate in the rituals of Hindu religion. We belong to the Brahmin community, where the Gods are worshipped and deified meticulously, with all devotion and sincerity,” the Tam-Brahm informed the winsome Chinese lady.

“And for the record,” he continued with a smile, “I do not practice any meditation. I enjoy running, ten kilometres every day is par for the course. But when running, I am in the zone. However, a mentor, introduced me to Zen Buddhism and I was listening to a podcast about various concepts. Actually, I was trying to follow the tenet of, ‘When you walk. When you eat, you eat. When you talk, you talk’,” Anav clarified to Xiao Ming.

“Lately I have been listening to some podcasts, watching You Tube videos and trying to read some literature on Buddha. Strange as it may sound, I come from the land of Buddhism but was introduced to Buddha only in China,” remarked Anav.

“But I thought Buddha was born in Lumbini which is Nepal,” Xiao Ming spoke up.

“Yes, during those ancient times Nepal was a part of India. Nepal was also the only Hindu kingdom in the world until some years ago. And if we dabble into geopolitics, Nepal is of immense strategic interest to your country,” Anav replied.

The word strategy took her mind to Sun Tzu and Xi Jinping. “Yes, what you say is correct. It is of immense strategic importance,” Xiao Ming admitted. “Have you heard about Sun Tzu?” she inquired.

“The Art of War! Yes. We had a parallel in Chanakya who wrote Arthashastra, a political and economic treatise.  He chaperoned Chandragupta Maurya, who was one of the most powerful suzerains of ancient India.”

They looked at each other and neither of them had any answers and once again looked at each other intently.

Ironically, both the young travellers had amassed vast fortunes, but on account of the vicissitudes of life were splashing into Buddhism.

Was it on account of a certain lack in life, anxiety, insecurities, fears or something else?

The flight to Delhi was a unique place for the inhabitants of the two Asian giants to meet and interact…

As he was conversing with Xiao Ming, Anav discerned the copy of Deepak Chopra’s novel lying on her lap. “Looks like you have made some advancement to appreciate Buddhism, as I see you seem to be reading about the Buddha.”

Xiao Ming paused and thought before replying. She remembered the images of the monk who transfigured into Buddha and the Buddha which metamorphosed into a bearded man. “This Indian is good at reading as what is going on in my brain.”

“Should I be candid and tell him about Xuan Zang and his voyage westwards and the way I was inspired by the ancient traveller to charter a similar path, in search of peace and the quintessential truth?” she contemplated.

“Hey!” Anav called out smiling and shaking her out of the reverie. “In case you do not wish to talk about it, heavens will not fall. It was an innocent query,” the Tamilian addressed young woman who had suddenly fallen silent.

Xiao Ming who seemed to have had a brain freeze, spoke up startled, “Sorry…er Mr. Anav. I was processing all that had been going through my brain, trying to formulate a cogent reply,” she was to say.

“Well very briefly, my family rose from abject poverty to scale the summit. I studied computer science and went on to found a start-up which did exceedingly well.”

Anav nodded his head, waiting for her to continue. “The app that was my creation was taken over and my start-up disappeared … puff, just like that into thin air,” Xiao Ming dramatically imitated a magician. “For sure, I was financially compensated. All of a sudden, I had everything that I could have wished for, but very swiftly that was accompanied by an enormous void in my life. In midst of abundance, I was caught in the vortex of undersupply and scarceness.”

Xiao Ming continued narrating her story. The Malay sitting to her right seemed to eavesdrop on the conversation and received a glare from her. He hurried back to playing the numbers game.

“Go on, it is quite an interesting story. But how do Buddha and Deepak Chopra make way into the picture?” Anav queried.

“You know Xiao Ming during my ten-year stay in China, I have read Confucius and Sun Tzu. I have noted down several of their quotations. I will find one to unravel the present state of your mind,” Anav said as he quickly scrolled down his tablet and exclaimed, “Aha! This one would be apt.”

“… ‘Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong, avoid him’. This is what your very own Sun Tzu said.”

“I look up to him. All corporate honchos, techs, military strategists and political leaders should read The Art of War,” Xiao Ming reverted back.

Xiao Ming added further, “While it is true my brain was distraught and nerves were frayed because of my past, but I rallied around and then made name and fortune with my invention, which at the cost of repetition I surrendered at the altar of power, yes, I did capitulate. In the meantime, I had some surrealistic experiences and then embarked upon this journey. As far as this novel is concerned, I saw the image of Buddha and picked it up and so far, have found it interesting to read.”

“But what is your sudden interest in Buddhism. You mentioned you are a Hindu?” she questioned him.

“Well, to be honest, I am looking for a deeper meaning to life. Amidst the oasis of wealth, I find that my mind is stuck in a swampy mass,” replied the Indian.

“There is a feeling of inadequacy. I am trying to figure it out. All the rituals in our temples back home have not quite triggered any peace and tranquillity within me,” added Anav.

Drinks were being served on the aircraft. The Malay had one. Anav ordered a soft drink and so did Xiao Ming.

“You stay away from liquor?” Anav asked her.

“I used to consume wine quite a bit. But of late I’ve drastically reduced it,” she answered.

After a little while, Anav shut his eyes and Xiao Ming went back to her book. In the amphitheatre of her brain, she was drawing parallels between the pangs in her life, the suffering of Buddha and the obstacles faced by Xuan Zang.

Her knowledge of religiosity and spiritualism was limited. Some unknown forces like the shooting stars that her mother prayed to whilst facing a misadventure and Buddha and his various figurines, but very little otherwise. Her logical brain always wondered as to why the Buddha was either seated in the Lotus pose, standing or assumed a reclining position.

She wondered what was in store at her next stop.

Xiao Ming was not quite sure about concepts such as attainment of enlightenment. She had read about the meditative experiences, but had no practical experience in the matter.

Xiao Ming heaved a sigh. The Malay after a few drinks and a heavy lunch was snoring with his eyes covered. Anav opened his eyes, apparently having caught a few winks of sleep.

Anav and Xiao Ming looked at each other and exchanged a smile. “I was listening to a podcast on Siddhartha attaining enlightenment.

“Does it mean mindfulness?” Xiao Ming countered.

“I am afraid, I have no clue. But in our interaction so far, I have come to realise that the trajectory of our lives may have been at variance but have a commonality in experiencing scantiness in the oasis of abundance. It is somewhat ironical that we are discussing Buddha, his travails in life and subsequent enlightenment. However, I do not wish to bandy this word in a casual manner.”

“Hmmm,” responded Xiao Ming thoughtfully.

“When Buddha attained enlightenment, it happened to be a full moon night in the scorching weather of May. It is strange that, Buddha was born on a full moon day, attained enlightenment on a full moon day and attained Mahaparinirvana, again on a full moon day. That is the day he cast his mortal self,” Anav was to tell Xiao Ming, as she recollected these facts.

“Well coming back to his story, upon attaining enlightenment, whatever it means, he maintained silence for an entire week. He did not utter a single word much to the chagrin of the angels. As per myth, the angels were petrified as they realised that only once in a millennium does a person blossom like Buddha and then, he was silent,” Anav continued.

“Fascinating, please continue and I too would like to listen to these podcasts,’ Xiao Ming interrupted.

The Malay’s snoring added to the white noise in the background.

“The angels beseeched Buddha to narrate his experience. He was to say, ‘Those who know, they would know even without my uttering a word and those who do not know the quintessential truth would not appreciate it even if I say something. Any description of luminosity to a person who cannot see is of no use. This is my ukase. It is pointless
in conveying something so sublime and pristine to a person who has not tasted the ambrosia of life, and therefore I maintain silence. How can one convey something so intimate and personal? Scriptures in the past have recorded that where the cacophony of words terminates, symphony of truth flowers’,” Anav narrated the interaction between
Buddha and the angels.

“This is indeed stellar,” Xiao Ming reacted. “Tell me more Anav, this is so fascinating.” The Chinese literally exclaimed like a child, which not only woke up the Malay but disturbed several other passengers too.

Drinks and lunch were served and the passengers seemed to be satiated. Several of them slipped into a slumber, some played with gizmos, while others watched movies or started reading and some were completing the targeted work.

Suddenly, there was an unexpected announcement by the captain, “Passengers are requested to fasten their seat belts as we are running into turbulent weather.” The aircraft was rocking and swaying, panic spread through the passengers. Frenetic airhostesses were trying to assuage frayed nerves.

The air craft began to descend with ferocity and the sense of panic spread further. “We are around hour an hour away from New Delhi, passengers are requested not to panic,” a reassuring announcement was made by the captain. After negotiating the troubled atmosphere, the airplane rose again.

“Oh gosh! That was close,” Anav said to Xiao Ming and she nodded in agreement.

“If Buddha was caught in this turbulence, what would he have done?” Xiao Ming enquired from Anav.

“Well from my very limited knowledge of Buddha and his tenets, I reckon he would have delineated it in four ways: One, there is dukkha or misery in the world. Two, there is always a cause of misery and three there is always an end to misery and finally there is path out of misery,” the Indian answered in a very concise manner. “He gained this wisdom through enormous amount of what we call tapas in India, basically severe spiritual austerities and practises.”

“However, let me tell you, during the turbulence I was equally petrified as all of us were. I have been exposed to Buddha and his techniques very recently. Perhaps, I would give credit to my education at the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, and my DNA, that is
the Brahminical mind. Well, the last one is what we twice born, that is those who wear the sacred threat are inculcated with,” he said in half-mocking tones.

“It is said that Hindus are extremely liberal in their thinking and thus grasp a variety of issues quiet seamlessly. Let me narrate a very fascinating story, a conversation between a Hindu gentleman and a Christian girl who were travelling from the US to India. So, the story goes like this,” Anav began.

“What's your Holy Book?” asked the prepossessing American girl.

“We don't have one Holy Book, we have hundreds and thousands of philosophical and sacred scriptures,” the gentleman replied.

“Oh, come on … at least tell me who is your God?” “What do you mean by that?”

“Like we have Jesus and Muslims have Allah - don't you have a God?”

He thought for a moment. Muslims and Christians believe in one God (male God) who created the world and takes an interest in the humans who inhabit it. Her mind is conditioned with that kind of belief.

According to her (or anybody who doesn't know about Hinduism), a religion needs to have one Prophet, one Holy book and one God. The mind is so conditioned and rigidly narrowed down to such a notion that anything else is not acceptable. He understood her perception and concept about faith, but realised that you can't compare Hinduism with any of the present leading religions where you have to believe in one concept of God.

He tried to explain to her, “You can believe in one God and you can be a Hindu. You may believe in multiple deities and still you can be a Hindu. What's more - you may not believe in God at all, still you can be a Hindu. An atheist can also be a Hindu.”

This sounded very crazy to her. She couldn't imagine a religion so unorganized, still surviving.

“I don't understand but it seems very interesting. Are you religious?”

What could he tell this American girl?

He said, “I do not go to a temple regularly. I do not make any regular rituals. I have learned some of the rituals in my younger days. I still enjoy doing it sometimes.”

“Enjoy?? Are you not afraid of God?”

“No - we are not afraid of God. Nobody has made any such compulsions to perform these rituals regularly.”

She thought for a while and then asked: “Have you ever thought of converting to any other
religion?”

“Why should I? Even if I challenge some of the rituals and faith in Hinduism, nobody can convert me from Hinduism. Because, being a Hindu allows me to think independently and objectively, without conditioning. I remain as a Hindu never by force, but by choice.”

He told her that Hinduism is not a religion, but a set of beliefs and practises. It is not a religion like Christianity or Islam because it is not founded by any one person or does not have an organized controlling body like the Church or the Order, he added, there is no institution or authority.

“So, you don't believe in God?” She wanted everything in black and white.

“I didn't say that. I do not discard the divine reality. Our scriptures, or Sruthis or Smrithis - Vedas and Upanishads or the Gita - say God might be there or he might not be there. But we pray to that supreme abstract authority (Para Brahman) that is the creator of this universe.”

“Why can't you believe in one personal God?”

“We have a concept - ABSTRACT - not a personal god.”

“The concept or notion of a personal God, hiding behind the clouds of secrecy, telling us irrational stories through few men, whom, he sends as messengers, demanding us to worship him or punish us, does not make sense. I don't think that God is as silly as an autocratic emperor, who wants others to respect him or fear him.”

He told her that such notions are just fancies of less educated human imagination and fallacies, adding that generally ethnic religious practitioners in Hinduism believe in personal Gods. The entry level Hinduism has over-whelming superstitions too. The philosophical side of Hinduism negates all superstitions.

“Good that you agree God might exist. You said that you pray. What is your prayer then?”

“Lokaah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi,”
                 She laughed, “What does it mean?”

“May all the beings in all the worlds be happy. Let there be Peace, Peace, and Peace everywhere.”

“Hmm. Very interesting. I want to learn more about this religion. It is so democratic, broad-minded and free!” she exclaimed.

“The fact is, HINDUISM is a religion of the individual, for the individual and by the individual with its roots in the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita.”

“It is all about an individual approaching a personal God in an individual way according to his temperament and inner evolution - it is as simple as that.”

“How does anybody convert to Hinduism?”

“Nobody can convert you to Hinduism, because it is not a religion, but it is a culture, a way of living life, a set of beliefs and practises. Everything is acceptable in Hinduism because there is no single Authority or Organization either to accept you or to reject you or to oppose you on behalf of Hinduism.”

He continued, “If you look for meaning in life, don't look for it in religions; don't go from one cult to another or from one guru to the next.”

“For a real seeker, the Bible itself gives guidelines when it says ‘Kingdom of God is within you’. He reminded her of Christ’s teaching about the love that we have for each other. That is where you can find the meaning of life. Loving each and every creation of the God is absolute and real.”

“Isavasyam idam sarvam Isam (the God) is present (inhabits) here everywhere - nothing exists separate from the God, because God is present everywhere. Respect every living being and non-living thing as God. That’s what Hinduism teaches you.”

“Hinduism is referred to as Sanatana Dharma, the eternal faith. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. The most important aspect of Hinduism is being truthful to oneself. Hinduism has no monopoly on ideas. It is open to all. Hindus believe in one God (not a personal one) expressed in different forms. For them, God is a timeless and formless entity.”

“The ancestors of today’s Hindus believed in eternal truths and cosmic laws and these truths are opened to anyone who seeks them. The British coined the word “Hindu” and considered it as a religion,” the gentleman continued.

He said, “Religions have become a multi-level-marketing industry that has been trying to expand the market share by conversion. The biggest business in today’s world is spirituality. I am a Hindu because it doesn’t pre-condition my mind with any faith system. In Hinduism we don’t have any managers of God. Some say, ‘Be Muslim’. Some say, ‘Be Christian’. The Vedas say ‘Be Human’. Some say, ‘Follow Prophet’. Some say, ‘Follow Jesus’. Vedas say, ‘Follow your conscience’.”

“You would have heard some say that God is over seventh sky. Some say that God is over fourth sky. Vedas say that God is with me, within me.”

“Some say that God tests, others that God punishes. Yet others that God forgives. But the Vedas say that God supports. Hinduism is the original, rather a natural yet logical and satisfying spiritual, personal and a scientific way of living a life. Hinduism is not a religion, it’s a culture, a way of life,” the gentleman concluded.

Xiao Ming sat quietly, absorbing all that Anav had narrated, even as he continued by way of explanation, “Now, neither am I a rabid or a practising Hindu, I am an agnostic, but this conversation appealed to me a lot and sums up my own beliefs.”

As the conversation rolled-on, another set of secrets tumbled from the shelves of Xiao Ming’s and Anav’s lives. Apart from the privation they faced in their lives, the two suffered physically as well.

Xiao Ming had always been an affectionate person but over the years had turned into a haughty, impatient and moody person. However, combined with her sometimes-hedonistic and reckless lifestyle it took a toll on her internal system. While she maintained a strict physical fitness regime, her stomach revolted regularly perhaps due frequent consumption of liquor, not that she was addicted to it. As she was fixated in creating the Virtual Buddy app, she had to perforce travel and eat outside which affected her digestive system. She was in search of a cure as the frequent bouts of abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome resulted in frequent mood changes and loss of concentration. Additionally, she suffered from severe cramps during her menstrual cycles and found no succour to overcome this ailment.

The ten-kilometre-runner who was otherwise extremely fit, had begun to suffer from acute spondylitis and bouts of arthritis. The nagging pain in his neck, knees and shoulder made him temperamental and at times had a debilitating affect during his work schedule and daily chores.

 This was of perhaps on account of long hours at the desk, working on the computer and dependency on gizmos and smart phones. He had read somewhere that on an average humans use a smartphone a minimum of 80 to 180 times a day and this plays havoc on the tissues in the neck, shoulders and back which often got knotted up, leading to excruciating pain.

So, both had issues with their bodies and minds and were keen to find resolution.

Behind the veneer of athleticism and seemingly fit bodies both the alluring Chinese woman and the smart Indian were looking for help.

Shortly thereafter the captain of the aircraft announced that they would begin their descent at the Indira Gandhi International airport.

“It has been a very interesting conversation with you Anav. You are exceedingly   well-informed and knowledgeable,” Xiao Ming mentioned with a glowing face.

“That’s nice of you. In midst of Buddha getting caught in the turbulence and the meandering foray about Hinduism, I clean forgot to mention another podcast, which could pave the way for your future plans,” Anav added.

As the flight descended and taxied on the tarmac, Xiao Ming asked Anav about his plans. “So, you head to your parents’ place at Chennai?”

“Not right away. I would be spending some days with my friend at Delhi. He is a dramatist, writes and above all is a meditation teacher.”

Xiao Ming’s jaws fell. “What … and I thought you were the repository of all this wisdom,” she said with consternation.

“Well, he is my Virtual Buddy app, my mentor. We all have one in our lives. All the podcasts were those of my friend.”

“My goodness you concealed a secret,” Xiao Ming protested.

“‘Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat,’ said Sun Tzu,” Anav signed-off.

 

 

 

 

Chapter 8

THE BUDDHIST CIRCUIT TRAIL

“Let the past make you better, not bitter.” — Gautam Buddha

Upon alighting at the airplane, the two acquaintances headed to the immigration counter.

As Anav stood waiting at the baggage carousel, Xiao Ming caught up with him. She was still mildly miffed with Anav. She felt somewhat cheated with the fact that he had not mentioned the source of his knowledge right away.

According to her, Anav had ingeniously intertwined the pithy and pertinent quotations of Sun Tzu with podcasts on Buddha, concealing the fact that his knowledge was essentially through the podcasts.

By a strange quirk both of them had been exposed to Buddhist teachings that had resonated with them. Anav had discovered Buddha through some Chinese friends and his mentor’s podcasts, while Xiao Ming had stumbled upon Buddha through an array of strange co-incidences.

After some thought on the matter, it dawned on Xiao Ming that when in pursuit of the unalloyed truth, an individual cannot play a game, or adopt the card of victim and guilt consciousness. It was rather churlish of her to keep latching on to the irritation, considering that she had had a very interesting and elevating conversation with Anav.

As they were waiting for their luggage, Anav hastened to add, “Look Xiao Ming, it was never my intention to befuddle you.”

“My friend has been insisting for a long time now that I learn Vipassana. He thinks it will help to shift my extremely hardened, logical left-centred mind to something more fulfilling. The easy part is that there are no rituals attached to the process. Otherwise, I doubt I would have even considered the course. I definitely want to complete the course before I get back to Shenzhen. During this trip to India, I intend to participate in a Vipassana course for whatever it’s merit. Maybe any other meditation technique would also do,” Anav mused.

“So, off I go to my pit stop, before heading to Chennai,” Anav added cheerily as the two stepped out of the airport building.

“Hey Anav! Here, here!” called out a familiar voice. It was Ramesh, Anav’s friend turned mentor.

“Oh, he looks so strikingly similar to the bearded person with the long flowing hair! The image I saw at Phoenix,” Xiao Ming thought to herself.

“He appears so radiant,” was Xiao Ming’s second thought. “Is he the person I was destined to meet?” Xiao Ming texted her inner most thoughts to Lu Yao, though she knew he would still be airborne. Anav introduced Xiao Ming to his friend Ramesh. The bold and beautiful Chinese woman was indisputably impressed with the pacific personality of Ramesh.

It was mid-afternoon and Xiao Ming was sweating and could not bear the heat. She was desperate to head to cooler climes of her hotel room. She was booked in the upmarket Vivanta. A cab arranged by the hotel was to pick her up and the driver was sending frantic messages to Xiao Ming

“Do not panic. The driver will find us in a few minutes. So, what brings you to India?” Ramesh inquired.

“It is a long story. I have narrated a part of it to your friend,” Xiao Ming replied. “He almost managed to get to me to believe that he is an expert on Buddhism, which he is not, he’s a mere novice like me.”

Anav laughed it away. “She thinks I am an extraordinary military strategist like Sun Tzu and a spiritual soul like Buddha, all rolled into one!”

“To be honest though, her reasons for travelling to India are rather
dramatic! Xuan Zang is her lodestar but she intends to find her own
truth.”

“Anav, are you mocking me?” Xiao Ming protested.

Before Anav could come up with a repartee, the ostentatious cab reached the spot where the trio stood.

“Myself, Shamsher Singh Gill; your chauffer Madam Xiao Ming,” a sprightly looking Sikh announced.

“Well, this riveting exchange of ideas has to be concluded, but without any conclusion,” remarked Xiao Ming.

“I have to pick up the threads and travel solo on this voyage just like Buddha and Xuan Zang,” she said, as her luggage was loaded into the waiting cab.

Anav and Ramesh confabulated in Hindi, as cars began to line up and the impatient honking began almost within seconds.

“Sirji tussi cheti karo …gaddion di line lag gayi hai. Puulice aa gayi to panga ho jayega,” the exasperated driver remarked.

“Well Xiao Ming, your journey begins now,” said Anav as she got into the cab. It was decided the two friends would meet Xiao Ming at her hotel that evening.

 

****************

 

“Am I pleased that Anav is coming over this evening? Am I attracted to his intelligence in any manner?” Xiao Ming thought aloud and parried away the query. She had Lu Yao in her life and the Buddhist trip was uppermost in her mind.

Xiao Ming jotted down on her phone to mention this episode to Lu Yao.

“I was able to confide several things, confront the demons in my brain. Perhaps he and his friend may provide resolution to my mental trauma,” Xiao Ming thought wistfully.

After she had checked-in at the hotel, Xiao Ming hit the gym. Following a strenuous workout, she moved to the swimming pool. She felt cramped after the long hours of immobility during the journey. As the sun was setting, a bellboy arrived at the swimming pool announcing some visitors to meet her. Xiao Ming hurried out of the pool and when she checked the time, realised that she was late for her meeting with Anav and Ramesh.

The young woman, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated against the cyclorama of a crimson red sun quickly drew herself out of the pool. After she called Anav and explained that she would join them shortly, she hurried to change.

A feeling of great joy gripped Xiao Ming’s brain. For reasons beyond her imagination, she felt childlike and almost ran to her room.

Xiao Ming was grinning as she approached the friends. “I’m awfully apologetic to have kept you waiting.”

In a short while the triumvirate had settled down for dinner at Tipple, the delectable restaurant that offered international cuisine. Xiao Ming was in a celebratory mood. They stuck to vegetarian fare. As Ramesh joked, there was never much of a choice for vegetarians other than the ubiquitous paneer or cottage cheese, in various shapes, sizes and flavours.

Xiao Ming repeated her story for Ramesh’s benefit.

“When Xiōngdì was taken over, for the first time I realised what it is to be discredited, almost non-existent. That awful feeling is what provoked my search for some meaning in life, and of course that movie showed me the path towards Buddhism,” she concluded.

Ramesh listened in fascination as she narrated her chance encounter with the travels of Xuan Zang and her experiences at the Buddhist temples.

“I was financially compensated by the government, but the money could in no manner satiate my inner inadequacies and the inherent lack. In my period of misadventure, the only ballast has been some hazy memories of Bao and Bai, the two toys which triggered my imagination to develop the Virtual Buddy app,” she added. “And recently in Lu Yao, I have met my man in life who has stood by me like a rock.”

Ramesh looked at Anav and Xiao Ming, waiting for an explanation about Bao and Bai.

“You’d scarcely believe the story, Ramesh. Bao and Bai were two toys given to Xiao Ming by her parents and were once her sounding boards, her alter egos, if I may call them so,” Anav said. “Correct me if I am wrong,” he continued glancing at Xiao Ming, “but over a period of time they emerged as Xiao Ming’s soul mates.”

“And … ironically, they were responsible for triggering the thought process to develop her app.”

“You know the most extraordinary people in the world do not have a career; they are visionaries and are blessed with a mission. I have been practising meditation techniques and these have altered my life,” Ramesh softly uttered.

“Really?  How?  And what actually is meditation?  I’m really curious,” enquired Xiao Ming.

“Hmm … how do I describe it to you? I quote what I believe is the closest description, ‘Mind without any agitation is meditation. Living in the present moment is meditation. Mind that has no hesitation, no anticipation is meditation. Mind that has come back home, to the source, is meditation. Mind that becomes no mind is meditation’. I know it’s a lot to take-in at one go …but ponder on it.”

Xiao Ming looked at Ramesh, indisputably impressed.

“Xiao Ming, my friend is my cushion, my ballast. He was once a highly successful tech guy and worked in India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru. Unfortunately, he encountered great personal tragedy because of which he moved to Delhi. His wife was also a competent tech and they were leading a blissful marital life. However, troubles come in threes and his wife succumbed to cancer and Ramesh was absolutely shattered. This affected his performance and he was frequently absenting himself from work. One day he heard a talk by Vandana, a danseuse and also a life coach and meditation teacher. This was a life turner. Inspired by her talk he shifted base to Delhi to reconstruct the broken pieces of his life. It is in Delhi that he began pursuing his passions, writing and theatre. He’s written a few books and also writes for OTT platforms.”

Ramesh continued his story, “Vandana, now my wife, introduced me to yoga and meditation. Now we jointly write books on self-motivation.” Anav’s eyes welled-up as his friend delved into the past.

“Today Ramesh and Vandana together teach yoga and breathing and meditation techniques to seekers, stock individuals and people who wish to assuage their frayed nerves and minds. And they’re a really good team, I may add,” Anav added turning to Xiao Ming.

“And that’s not all. They also keep staging plays and dance dramas. Vandana is a competent editor who chisels their works. In fact, they are pretty well known in what is known as Lutyens’ Delhi,” Anav said.

As she sat listening to Ramesh’s story, Xiao Ming was struck by how dramatic the lives of even the average everyday-person could be.

“You have really weathered a storm and survived tumultuous times. I salute your robust mind,” she said as she stood up.

“Yes indeed! Meditation has really helped me and it is a powerful tool. I have been goading Anav to learn Vipassana, but he has been rejecting my proposal. Of late though, he has been listening to a few podcasts on the neuroscience of Vipassana,” added Ramesh.

“What is exactly is Vipassana?” enquired a curious Xiao Ming with eagerness.

“Well, Vipassana or vipaśyanā literally implies ‘special-seeing’. It is often described as a form of meditation that seeks ‘insight into the true nature of reality’. The technique analyses the impermanence, suffering and unsatisfactory nature of it all,” Ramesh explained.

“Xiao Ming has planned visits to the important Buddhist sites in India, Ramesh. In fact, that is the reason she has travelled to India. Though some important sites are no longer in India, still there would be a large number of places for you to visit and soak in the tenets of Buddhism,” Anav said.

“Will you join me?” Xiao Ming asked Anav with a quizzical look.

“Well… I have been listening to Ramesh’s podcasts quite intently and have a few plans in my mind. But for now, I intend to spend a few days with my friend at Delhi.”

This declaration by Anav was followed by a prolonged silence which was broken by Ramesh.

“Xiao Ming, Vipassana imparts the quintessential quality of maintaining   equilibrium   and   equipoise.   There   should   be   no perturbation in your thought process, nothing which should deter you from your exploration. It is always a solitary walk by any serious seeker. So, whether Anav joins you or not, should not deter you in any manner,” Ramesh spoke. “You should proceed with your expedition.”

Xiao Ming thought to herself … Lu Yao would encourage her in the adventure. Anav should not be a crutch in her discovery. She had the support of Lu Yao, memories of the magical events which she had experienced of late and the travels of Xuan Zang which would be her guiding light. Not to forget the shooting stars and comets with a trail of hope which always ignited positivity in her heart.

“Ok guys, I will embark upon this journey to unearth for myself the knowledge imparted by Buddha. I had already booked myself on the Buddhist Circuit trail while I was in Kuala Lumpur,” Xiao Ming said as she sat in a meditative pose with her eyes half closed and her left and right hands in gyaan mudra and chhin mudra respectively. The trio exploded into laughter at this impromptu riotous act by her.

“That’s a truly brave seeker!” Ramesh shook hands with Xiao Ming.

Anav spoke up to reveal his plans. “I will reveal my cards now, no big mystery! After visiting my parents in Chennai, I will follow Ramesh’s advice. I have to be cured of this nagging spondylitis. Ramesh did not explicitly mention any place, but he was of the opinion that visiting the Golden Temple had been a fabulous experience for him. And yes, Rishikesh is the yoga capital of India, in fact of the world. Of course, he has been recommending that I undertake a Vipassana course at Nasik. I plan to do that too. Then I’ll head down south and visit some temples in South India. Anytime you wish to join me, you are welcome,” Anav wound up the conversation as they said their goodbyes and left for Ramesh’s residence.

Xiao Ming nodded her head, checking her mail as Anav had asked her to. Soon she headed back to her room.

The elegant lady from Shenzhen opened the blinds of her room and was pleasantly surprised to see a shooting star streaking across the sky.

“This celestial phenomenon bodes well for my expedition on the Buddhist Circuit! I need to share this with Lu Yao.”

“Am I attaining enlightenment tonight?” chuckled Xiao Ming to herself as she snuggled into bed after a long conversation with Lu Yao, bringing him up to date with all that had happened since her departure from Kuala Lumpur.

“Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine … meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery,” were the sagacious words of the Sakyamuni. As she ruminated on these words, sleep overtook Xiao Ming and soon she was lost to the world.

Meanwhile in Shenzhen, Lu Yao was intrigued by Anav and the discussions between his girlfriend and Anav. Her gripping and tantalising conversations on her life with a total stranger on the flight did disturb him. He decided he would ask her to be a little more circumspect before revealing everything about herself to perfect strangers.

 

***************

 

Xiao Ming’s Tryst with Buddha

“Gautam Buddha lived between 563BC and 480 BC. He was born Siddhartha and son of King Suddhodana and Mayadevi of Sakya dynasty. Siddhartha married princess Yasodhara and they had a son, Rahula,” were the opening remarks of Dev, the guide, as the tourists embarked on the first leg of the Buddhist Circuit tour.

A group of Buddhist backpackers had arrived from Colombo at the Taj Vivanta in New Delhi the previous night. At the crack of dawn, the following morning they departed for Lucknow by the Swarn Shatabdi Express.

Upon arrival at Lucknow the group was suitably snowed by the hospitality as the trippers travelled by a SUV to Shravasti. The tourists alighted from the confines of their vehicle and contemplated the place where Buddha was said to have lived during the last twenty-four years of his life. They were subsumed with a sense of serenity, all the cobwebs and demons in their mind annihilated.

The Sri Lankans visited the Thai Temple, adjacent to the spot where Buddha was believed to have meditated. Xiao Ming chose not to visit the Thai temple. Instead, she decided to sit and meditate under the very tree that the Sakyamuni was said to have meditated.

It was a life transforming experience. Initially my mind was cannonaded with negative thoughts. Dark demons, fear gripped my mind, but I decided not to open my eyes and just focussed on keeping my eyes closed and concentrating. Slowly my mind settled down. I could feel a gentle shower of fragrant flowers dropping on me from above. It was a wondrous experience. There was a massive space of silence. I had visions again of the monk turning into Buddha and the figure of Buddha metamorphosing into a bearded man and suddenly I awoke.

Xiao Ming remembered her experience as she texted Lu Yao, who could barely understand or appreciate them.

My dearest one, at the subterranean level a lot has shifted between Shenzhen and Shravasti. I wish you all the very best in your Buddhist tour. Please be careful and do not wander away from your group.

To her, the wondrous experience at Shravasti was encapsulated in a tiny equation:

 

Peace = ∞

 

Why this fetish for mathematical equations?

Xiao Ming’s mind always operated from a logical space. She had never believed in supernatural powers easily. Maybe in some cranny corner of her mind they existed. To her, anything that could be expressed logically existed. She took to logic as a fish to water and found an unusual comfort in it.

The logistics of the trip were planned to the T. Soon the tourists traversed to Nauthanva from Shravasti, by the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express.

The train was ambling along the broad-gauge tracks as she compared it to the trains in China. Bathrooms on the train were undeniably dirty and stinking. Food was littered across the passage of the train, but passengers travelling seemed unmindful of the filth in the train. Xiao Ming took it as a learning process. China had leapfrogged and India too was planning to launch bullet trains. She would have been a child when her parents travelled by such trains.

Nauthanva is the gateway to Nepal. After the mandatory customs clearance and police-check, the globetrotters had a meal and visited Sahet and Mahet.

Then began the enchanting drive to Lumbini, nestled in the hills. The guests stayed at a glitzy hotel there.

Lumbini was a part of Kapilvastu, the erstwhile kingdom of King Suddhodana. The visitors walked around for several kilometres paying obeisance at various Buddhist shrines before they reached the spot where Buddha is believed by the devout to have arrived on planet Earth on a full moon night. Here the Sri Lankans and the solitary Chinese meditated at the shrine for a considerable period of time, slipping into sync with the ethereal atmosphere.

Next the tourists saw the spectacle of an ancient Ashoka pillar and prayed at the Maya Devi temple.  Later they drove down to Kushinagar, spending the night at a modest though well-furnished hotel.

The next morning Xiao Ming walked around the streets and recalled the events of her life.

Suddenly, a quotation by Buddha painted on a hoarding caught her attention. It read, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind in the present moment.”

The saying stunned her to the core as her past came crashing down. I have been living in the past, on a fault-finding mode. Bao and Bai, the Virtual Buddy app, none exist any longer. How long will my mind relieve the past?  Dwelling on the past only increases negativity. This essential truth dawned on her in a flash.

Should she consign her past on the streets of Kushinagar where
Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana? Was she to finally bury her past?

Was she not to think at all about her future, instead just live in the present moment? Was it not true the Virtual Buddy app was an exposition of the siblings that she and many of her generation had never had? Her mind travelled to the wondrous meditation she had experienced at Shravasti. Had that been a glimpse of the real truth, the peace that was discovered by Buddha through enormous practice? That Xuan Zang had discovered through his travels?

Lu Yao smiled as he read the text from Xiao Ming, describing her mental tussle. He hoped a radiant and fresh Xiao Ming living in the present would now appear at Shenzhen.

As her mind was being cannonaded with such seemingly wild thoughts, Xiao Ming gave the idea some more thought. She realised that she was still not robust enough to let go of her scaffolding and walked back to her room with misty eyes. Xiao Ming had to still come out of the shadows of the past.

At the crack of dawn, the sightseers proceeded to visit the Rambhar Stupa and Mahaparinirvana temple. Even though centuries had elapsed, the travellers experienced profound silence and amazing vibrations at these Buddhist shrines. The tourists were enthralled and keen on spending some more time at Kushinagar.

She remembered what Ramesh had said. “It was a devastating moment when Nandini, my first wife, succumbed to cancer. We were such a happy-go-lucky couple, working hard, partying hard and enjoying travels and vacations across India and even overseas. But one incident injected enormous pain in my life and I was left rudderless. My parents and sibling tried their best. I was on anti-depressants. But then arrived the life-turner in my life when I heard Vandana. Her dance performance followed by a motivational talk pulled me out of the cesspool of negativity.”

“I finally learnt to distinguish between pain and suffering. Soon after that I set up my studio and re-invented myself. You see, as Buddha said, ‘pain is certain, suffering is optional’.”

“I shifted base to Delhi and began working briefly, then started writing. Alongside I also started trying alternative therapies to help myself heal. Reiki, Pranic healing, I tried everything. Around that time, I did my first course in Vipassana. All these techniques opened the aperture of my thought process. I used to frequently attend the motivational talks by Vandana. Somewhere down the line Vandana and I were attracted to each other. I came to know about her painful past, how her alcoholic husband deserted her. We started living together and I began to write for her dance dramas. Our first production was called Shiva Ranjani based on a classical Indian raga. And over a few years, I was writing, directing plays, assisting Vandana in her dance dramas.
A new dimension was added to my personality when, I began teaching yoga, breathing and meditation. Today I am happy, blessed with energy and living what I term as life positive,” Ramesh’s story resonated in her mind.

With her recent experiences at Shravasti, Lumbini and Kushinagar, Xiao Ming was quite certain that through practise of breathing techniques and meditation an individual could experience inner purity which would then leapfrog into external purity.

With conclusive evidence on hand that a person ought to stave-off suffering and emerge triumphant, Xiao Ming was deeply influenced by Ramesh’s life, the manner in which he fought back valiantly. She decided to overcome her privation by waging a similar battle.

It had been a few days since she last spoke with Lu Yao. Suddenly her phone rang, announcing a call from her boyfriend. The two were happily engrossed in a long conversation and discussing travels so far, and also Ramesh and Anav.

“What about Vandana … you have not met her so far?” Lu Yao enquired.

“Not yet, but I shall after the Buddhist Circuit. It would be inspiring to interact with her,” she replied

With much reluctance the group departed from Kushinagar to Gorakhpur and boarded the train to Patna, the capital city of Bihar, a 255 km journey.

After checking into a comfortable and luxurious hotel once they arrived in Patna, the pilgrims headed to Bodhgaya and saw the Mahabodhi Temple, built to the east of the sacred tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. The temple was a majestic structure, seventeen feet high on a base five feet square, with a soaring pyramidal
tower surmounted by a stupa. The Vajrasana or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marked the actual spot where Buddha received illumination.

A gilded Buddha smiled upon the visitors from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his footsteps were carved in stone and held floral offerings from the devout. She noticed that astonishing peace pervaded the atmosphere as though lending credence to the legend that Buddha attained insight at this very spot.

Xiao Ming could feel the peace in her very cells.

“Today Buddhism is world famous religion. Dalai Lama, Richard Gere, famous Hollywood star, all Buddhist,” Dev the tour guide enlightened the tourists. “Everyone comes here to learn Vipassana, very important meditation of Buddhism.”

“Madam, you want to learn Vipassana after return to Delhi?” he asked Ming, knowing that she would be staying on in Delhi for a few days upon their return. “I take you to Vipassana centre in Delhi.

Xiao Ming merely smiled at him.

“Should I call up Ramesh or Anav?” Xiao Ming thought to herself.

“Perhaps it won’t be prudent,” she countered her own thought. She remembered Ramesh’s remark that this was a solitary quest like that of Buddha and Xuan Zang.

Xiao Ming was aware of these facts. But there was a fundamental difference between her odyssey and the voyages of her illustrious predecessor Xuan Zang westwards.

Xuan Zhang was a Buddhist monk in search of the original, authentic teachings of Buddha. He was a man with messianic zeal. Xiao Ming on the other hand was a person in search of herself, a quest to discover her inner self. She seemed more in pursuit of Buddha, less of Buddhism. She knew her journey was more to transform her life, to find answers to the unknown factors in her life.

Basically, she was inviting tectonic changes into her life by acknowledging that she had to balance the working and effects of the left-centred brain and the right-centred one.

The minds of the pilgrims were filled with serenity and calmness as they travelled to the ancient city of Benares and checked into the estimable Radisson Hotel that evening.

The pilgrims paid obeisance at the Kashi Vishwanath temple followed by darshan at the Kaal Bhairav and Sankat Mochan Hanuman temples. Though at both these temples they had to be satisfied with a darshan from the outer corridors due to the prevalent rules. Nevertheless, it was an enriching experience.

Thereafter they travelled to Sarnath.

It was at Sarnath that the Sakyamuni delivered his first sermon, upon experiencing the pristine truth. Sarnath is around ten kilometres from Benares and houses numerous Buddhist shrines which include the famous Dhamekh Stupa, the seat of the holy Buddha. They also visited the ruins of Dharmarajika Stupa and Mulagandhakuti Temple, where
Lord Buddha is said to have rested and meditated while in Sarnath.

A day filled with several voyages was rounded off after witnessing the majestic spectacle of the Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat, on the banks of the Ganges.

The next morning, their guide Dev announced, “All ladies like to buy Benarsi silk sarees.” Some men in the group expressed a wish to rest in their tourist van rather than indulge in shop-hopping. Xiao Ming opted to go shopping.

Aeons ago and even until a few decades back, the devout in the Vanaprastha (the third of the four ashramas as per Hinduism) stage of their lives retired to this township to cast away their mortal selves and to seek salvation from the perennial cycle of birth and death.

The sutra of opposite yet complementary values is epitomized at the ghats of Varanasi. As the dead are consigned to the flames at the Manakarnika Ghat, at the other end of the spectrum the high priests of Varanasi chant mantras to invoke the benediction of Lord Shiva and Ma Ganga. This dynamic equation represents the creation and destruction of human life. She was astonished to see half burnt corpses in the river. It sent shivers down her spine. How are people cremated at one end of the spectrum and paying obeisance and celebrating at the other?

Varanasi, Kashi or Benares, the bustling town is a cradle of cacophony and symphony. Through continuous creation, destruction and experiencing silence, the human mind is transported from the clangour of modern life to the calm of the sublime.

Xiao Ming took in the sights as she walked through the crowded roads and narrow alleys, listening to a podcast describing the ancient city.

That afternoon the voyagers boarded the Vande Bharat Express, among the fastest trains in India and reached New Delhi by 11p.m. The next day the group from Sri Lanka flew back to Colombo while Xiao Ming stayed at the hotel.

“Hey, Lu Yao I am travelling by one of the fastest trains in India and am reminded of our first train journey. Do you recall it? It changed my life, perhaps yours as well. Do all train journeys change lives?” Xiao Ming asked in jest.

After an initial silence Lu Yao replied, “After capturing your arresting face through the camera of my eyes, when I was blown by the lovely double eyelids, I jostled for the seat next to you. Yes, my dear, I do remember our first encounter, and of course Bao and Bai. You seem happy. Looking forward to seeing you, Xiao Ming.”

“That was very dramatic. You are becoming a poet!” Xiao Ming remarked, smiling.

“Maybe! Are you planning a trip to Agra too? Take care and please
be very cautious when interacting with strangers,” Lu Yao answered.

After speaking for a couple of more minutes, Lu Yao and Xiao Ming said goodbye to each other.

Xiao Ming never realised that a week had elapsed. She had been away from China for a considerable period of time but was unparalleled in her mission. The plan was to spend a couple of days in Delhi and then visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Xiao Ming dialled a number and hoped the person would receive the call. She attempted a couple of times, but in vain.

Xiao Ming always kept herself mobile to remain fit and jogged and practiced Tai Chi despite her physical ailments. She hit the gym and then swam for a while. Back in her room, she came across a quote of Buddha on a flier that fell out of the newspaper.

“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship,” thus spoke Lord Buddha.

Xiao Ming could not help but observe that just about every thought she had and every action that she carried out was manifesting itself in words. Was it a new phenomenon or was she alert to the signs for the first time in her life?

As she was pondering this new line of thought the ringing of the mobile phone broke into her thoughts.

“Hi, Xiao Ming! How was your trip?” asked Anav. “Oh! Hi! How are you?” she replied.

“Doing good.”

“We returned today from the Buddhist Circuit tour,” Xiao Ming said. “It really was worth it. I can’t tell you what amazing experiences I had every step of the way!”

“So, what next? Where do you drop the anchor next in the course of self-discovery?” asked Anav.

“Well, you tell me your plans. I thought you would be joining me,” replied Xiao Ming expectantly.