Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

meditational techniques, with which we search for enlightenment and understanding of
ourselves, to their minimum essence. The methods of Ch’an are simple and practical:
sit before a wall and count your breath. After some years of this meditation you will have
a sudden experience of enlightened understanding. To speed up this process, the
teacher occasionally gives his student a puzzle question, a conundrum to meditate on,
which does not have a verbal solution. It is supposed to teach the student that life is not
rationally comprehensible. The last step of Ch’an teaching does away with all words."
He took a piece of paper and a brush. "One typical answer to your question
about the essence of Ch’an is this."
With a single movement of his wrist he drew a perfect ling on the paper.
The abbot smiled at me expectantly, picked up his cup, and took a sip of tea.
I felt an irresistible temptation to show off, asked for the brush, and with a lucky hand
drew an equally perfect ling. The man stared at me, puzzled.
Proud that I had successfully surprised him, I did not notice what happened next
until it had happened. The abbot made an involuntary movement with his hand and
spilled his tea over my ling.
I was speechless.
And then I understood. Complete spontaneity is the way to all insight.
Slowly a smile went over the man’s face that turned into unrestrained laughter.
He rose, and in an entirely un-Chinese outburst of joy slapped me on the shoulder.
How is it possible that I have never understood that you, my extraordinary
challenge, have been trying to teach me this insight for twelve years...?
We shall sail from Shanghai in three days and arrive in Batumi in the first week of
February. I want to spend a week with Irakli and Tamunia-Deda and be home by the
middle of February. I shall finally hold you in my arms again.
Be well until then.
Your longing husband,
Konrad
The whole family awaited the long-lost husband, father, and brother-in-law with flowers,
hugs, and kisses at the railway station. This time little Sophia rode on Konrad’s shoulders,
while Otto walked next to him talking about Konrad’s adventures in Samarkand and his rides
with Uncle Niko.
At home Konrad opened his valise and spread his presents. Five lengths of magnificent
printed silk, one a shade of light green that grew darker towards the bottom where a band of
stylized field flowers bloomed in all colors. A yellow pilgrim’s bag stamped with the large red
woodprints the monasteries of Putuo Shan Dao. A box of ivory chopsticks imprinted with
Chinese characters for all to try. A precious ink-stone for his calligraphy. Two necklaces of
enameled beads and a strange yellow mask with a beaked snout and the big teeth of a
monkey.
"What is this, Daddy?" asked Otto taken aback.
Konrad laughed. "The mask of the Monkey King, Wang Hou, who invented grammar
and came to China as the emissary of the Buddha. These days he is the beloved acrobatic
joker of the Chinese Opera. Let me show you."
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