Pi

This entry is not based upon my experience of kung-fu training, but as everything in this universe is interelated there is bound to be some relevance to my practice. I am reading the book 'Life of Pi' by Yann Martel - a highly recommended read and there is some part of it that delighted me which I would like to share. The main character as an Indian boy begins to explore Christianity after being raised as a Hindu. He is confused as how weak and un-God-like Jesus was and how strange it was that he was allowed to suffer so much and die by crucifixian. The main character talks about Jesus:

"This Son, on the other hand, who goes hungry, who suffers from thirst, who gets tired, who is sad, who is anxious, who is heckled and harassed, who has to put up with followers who don't get it and opponents who don't respect Him - what kind of God is that?"

In contrast, here is a story of Krisha as a small boy accused of eating dirt by his friends:

"His foster mother, Yashoda, comes up to him with a wagging finger. "You shouldn't eat dirt, you naughty boy" she scolds him. "But I haven't" says the unchallenged Lord of all and everything, in sport disguised as a frightened human child. "Tut! Tut! Open your mouth" orders Yashoda. Krishna does what he is told. He opens his mouth. Yashoda gasps. She sees in Krishna's mouth the whole complete timeless universe, all the stars and planets of space and the distance between them, all the lands and seas of the earth and the life in them; she sees all the days of yesterday and all the days of tomorrow; she sees all ideas and all emotions, all pity and all hope, and the three strands of matter; not a pebble, candle, creature, village or galaxy is missing, including herself and every bit if dirt in its truthful place. "my Lord, close your mouth" she says reverantly.

This really amused me, like the scene in Crocodile Dundee - Call that a God? This is a God!

When questioned about why Jesus was so lame compared to Krisha, or Vishnu in his full cosmic stride covering the entire size of the planet in a single stride, the boys Christian mentor, Father Martin, just replies "Love". Despite the comparative weakness when compared to the imagination of the Hindu writers, he found himself inexplicably drawn to the Christianity.

I am making no commentary about religeon here, just sharing a thoroughly enjoyable piece of writing.

Happy Monday

Nick
Yellow stripe sash