Read Snow in August for Free Online Page B

passed it on to Daoxin, Daoxin passed it on to me, Hongren, and now I’m passing it on to you. I now pronounce you the Sixth Patriarch.
    This is the bowl I carried with me when I traveled to beg for alms. I’m leaving it to you as well. Guard your thoughts well and deliver all the unenlightened from their sufferings.
    Huineng:
    The Dharma is transmitted from mind to mind. What then is the use of this robe?
    Hongren:
    The robe is proof of the Dharma , which is the genesis of the robe. It has been passed on from generation to generation, so that the lamp of the mind will not be extinguished.
    Huiming:
    ( Receives the robe and the almsbowl with both hands and bows .)
    My heart-felt gratitude to the Master!
    Hongren:
    It has always been like this: He who receives the Dharma will have his life hanging by a thread. If you stay here, I’m afraid someone may harm you. You must leave at once!
    Huiming:
    Where should I go? I hope the Master can show me the way.
    Hongren:
    The spring of wisdom in this temple has run dry. Take a look at this mammoth temple. It boasts a large number of temple-goers and visitors, who all insist that they are here in search of Buddha, but every one of them is motivated by greed, hungry for instant fame and fortune. I really don’t understand why they have come. Central China is a land of many disputes, where Buddha’s Law will not be allowed to prosper, and heresies will rise and compete with one another. The heretics will ingratiate themselves with the rich and the powerful and pander shamelessly to the imperial court. You came from south of the mountains, so you should go back there and live in seclusion. After that you should devote yourself to enlightening the deluded beings and delivering them from their ignorance.
    Huiming:
    How about Master yourself?
    Hongren:
    I have fulfilled my destiny. After you are gone, I shall say my farewell to this world.
    ( Fifth heavy drumbeat. )
    Hongren:
    Follow me, I’ll open the temple door for you!
     
    [ Hongren leads Huineng. Exit both into the dark .
    Five drumbeats indicating the fifth watch, followed by loud and continuous tolling of the bell. Enter Huiming .
     
    Huiming:
    ( Rubs his eyes and shakes his head .)
    I bolted the door myself last night. I remember it clearly. It’s now the fifth watch and the dawn still hasn’t broken but the door is already wide open!
    ( Picks up the door bolt on the ground .)
    The monks have just heard the bell and gotten out of bed. They still haven’t started their morning chanting yet. Some burglars must have sneaked in here and stolen the temple treasures.
    Burglars! Burglars! Come and catch the burglars! Don’t let them get away!
     
    [ Enter Hongren leisurely. Also enter Crowd, scurrying in confusion .
     
    Hongren:
    The house of Buddha is quiet and peaceful, why are you hollering and making so much noise?
    Huiming:
    The temple door is wide open. We’ve been burglarized!
    Hongren:
    The house of Buddha is empty, what do we have here that’s worth stealing? I opened the door myself. The Great Dharma has been pronounced. Go purify your heart and cultivate your own virtues.
    Huiming:
    Master, to whom have you passed on the Great Dharma ?
    Hongren:
    A layman from New Prefecture.
    Huiming:
    That southern barbarian in the rice-pounding shop? Why do you still ask me to do the meaningless good works then? The Great Dharma has been stolen already.
    Hongren:
    If that’s what you think, go away. Go away, all of you.
    Huiming:
    Go at once to catch the Dharma thief! ( Exit running, carrying the door bolt in his hand .)
    ( Exit all except Hongren hurriedly .)
    Hongren:
    Evil beings! They’ll never understand…
     
    [ Enter Shenxiu in travelling garb .
     
    Shenxiu:
    Your humble student is ashamed of himself!
    Hongren:
    Where are you going?
    Shenxiu:
    I’m going to travel around central China to acquire more knowledge. I aim to improve myself.
    ( Kowtows .)
    Master, please take care of yourself. ( Exit .)
    Hongren:
    ( Looks up