Two Precious Scroll Narratives of Guanyin and Her ... - Khamkoo

112 ThePreciousScrollofIncenseMountain,Part2
I consider what you have been saying, it is all ‘Being born from
Empty Nothingness,’ like the hairs of a tortoise or the horns of
a hare, like the moon reflected in water or an image appearing in a
mirror—it’s all empty deception.’’ The princess replied: ‘‘The empty
is substantial, and the substantial is empty, but only one who is
enlightened will know.’’ The emperor continued: ‘‘You are a tender
spring flower, so how can you endure heavy snow and icy frost?’’
The princess replied: ‘‘Flowers and leaves may flourish and fade,
but their root and source are not darkened.’’ The emperor then
said: ‘‘But how could your delicate figure bear the tortures of the
hundred meltings?’’ 11 The princess replied: ‘‘The illusionary shell is
not solid, but the true nature is indestructible.’’ The emperor said:
‘‘You girl, even though your body may be like iron, it will not be
able to withstand the oven of the execution!’’ The princess replied:
‘‘The true gold that comes from the mine will not be hurt by the
fire; when the divine dragon dives into the sea, there’s no salt in
the water. When the stern orders of my father the emperor are
issued, all the officials obey what you say; when the rooster crows
in the fifth watch, all the court gentlemen reverentially listen.’’ She
also said: ‘‘Below the gate of the great sun there are no stars and
moons, before the hall of the Son of Heaven there is no poor man.
But if you, my father and emperor, cannot control your family, how
can you control the nation? You look like a tiger with a paper hat:
both ridiculous and terrifying! As to your daughter’s body and
mind, we each have our own views. So why is it you are so insistent
about trying to force me to take a husband?’’ When her father the
emperor heard these words, he gnashed his teeth and rolled his
eyes; the breath of his sighs resembled clouds, and his raging voice
resembled the thunder. He ran off and went up the throne hall,
where he sat and waited for daybreak: ‘‘Off with the head of that
rebellious child with a heart and liver of iron, that monstrous
she-devil, who says she’s not afraid to die!’’
In the oven with its great bellows her body is purified,
Ghost masks and demon heads can’t do a thing to her!
Namo Guanshiyin pusa
When her father the emperor heard this, he exploded in rage,
His face was the color of ashes, his breath resembled a cloud.