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

52 ThePreciousScrollofIncenseMountain,Part1
The empress then ordered the concubines and palace maids to
wash and bathe the child in a golden basin. All the palace ladies
praised the princess, saying: ‘‘She is not a mere mortal! Her features
are extremely subtle and marvelous, like a pure full moon. Her
hands have the sign of the thousand-spoked wheel, her eyes are
like maṅi-pearls, 20 and her fingernails are like white jade. Gleaming
like glass, her face shows the thirty-two marks. 21 Her dark brows
and lustrous hair are without compare in the world.’’ The ladies
of the Six Palaces agreed: ‘‘We should present her to the emperor,
so her imperial father may have a look at her.’’ They promptly
swaddled her in a brocade coverlet and placed her on a golden
tray. The imperial concubines carried her, and the palace maids
followed behind. The hundred musicians of the Six Palaces and
Three Halls played loudly as they ascended the precious throne
hall. Her imperial father was pleased and said: ‘‘Since this girl was
born after the empress had been affected by a dream, her name
shall be Marvelous Goodness (Miaoshan). Tomorrow at the dawn
audience We will discuss this with Our ministers, as an edict should
be issued throughout the world.’’ He then composed the following
gātha:
A dragon coverlet woven with gold thread—swaddled in brocade:
On a golden tray she is presented for her lord and emperor to see.
We will share our joy and happiness with the people of the realm,
Even if We would be reduced to poverty, it would be no problem!
But let’s not go on about the great joy of the emperor. Let’s
rather tell about the princess. She grew up inside the palace, where
she was treasured by everyone as if she were a jewel or a pearl.
When, as she grew up, she had reached the age of ten, the measure
of her resolve was large and wide. She was loftily enlightened and
profoundly grounded. Without any effort, she fully mastered the
zither and calligraphy, colors and paintings, and weaving brocade
into patterns. She could prepare all the hundred delicacies and special
dishes. Her bodily posture was dignified and serious, [and she
exhibited the virtues of] clear purity and appropriate yielding,
harmonious modesty and filial obedience. She knew honesty and
understood shame and, filled with kind compassion, manifested forbearance.
She did not crave anything or cling to anything, and as if
by nature kept to a vegetarian diet and maintained the precepts. By