Menih Jakušo in leteča skleda

Besedilo

Menih Jakušo in leteča skleda

He accepted and expounded the sutras. The king then said, “At today’s feast there shall be no one to serve the food by hand. Let each of you send his bowl flying to receive his portion.” His purpose was to test the Japanese monk. One after another, beginning with the highest-ranking monk, the monks sent their bowls flying to receive their food. The Mikawa lay monk sat in the lowest seat. When his turn came, he took up his bowl and was about to rise, but the others stopped him, saying, “You must send your bowl to fetch the food.” Jakushō replied, “Making a bowl fly requires the practice of a particular rite. I have neither received instruction in that rite nor practiced it. There were once people in Japan who performed it, but in this latter age none do. How, then, can I make it fly?” He remained seated, but they pressed him, saying, “Holy man of Japan, your bowl is slow! Too slow!” Turning toward Japan, he prayed, “Three Treasures and gods of my homeland, help me! Do not let me be put to shame.” As he sat absorbed in prayer, his bowl began to whirl like a top, then flew off faster than the bowls of the Chinese monks, received its portion, and returned. At this, the king and all the others bowed before him, declaring him a man of extraordinary holiness. So the story has been handed down.