Molitev za dež

Besedilo

Molitev za dež

In the Later Han dynasty, Liang Fu, courtesy name Hanru, was a native of Xindu in Guanghan. As a young man he served as a junior clerk, accepting not so much as a drink of water from those with whom he had official dealings. Later, as an inspector, he attended to every matter, great and small, and officials throughout the commandery and its counties dared not act improperly. One summer, a severe drought withered the land. The governor exposed himself to the sun in the central courtyard, yet no rain fell. Fu, then serving as Officer of the Five Departments, went out to pray to the spirits of the mountains and rivers. He made this solemn vow: “As a trusted servant of this commandery, I have failed to offer counsel, render loyal service, recommend the worthy, dismiss the wicked, or bring harmony to the people. Thus Heaven and Earth have fallen out of accord, all living things are scorched and withered, and the people cry out in distress, with nowhere to turn. The fault lies wholly with me. Now the governor has searched his conscience and taken the blame upon himself, exposing himself to the sun in the central courtyard, and has sent me to confess our offenses and pray for blessings upon the people. Yet our deepest sincerity has not moved the spirits to respond. I therefore dare to make this vow: if no rain falls by noon, let me atone for my failings with my life.” He then piled up firewood, preparing to burn himself upon it. By noon, dark clouds gathered over the mountains, thunder broke, and rain poured down, soaking the entire commandery. For this, the world praised his utter sincerity.