...Day...Month, Second Year of the Xiande Era Master Miaoshan defended his thesis before the throne and was ho…
...Day...Month, Second Year of the Xiande Era
Master Miaoshan defended his thesis before the throne and was honored as the Enlightened One, entrusted with the Fahua Temple. This temple stands near Mercyheart Town, and with the Enlightened One's protection, the town's Buddha statue trade should remain untouched by the anti-buddist movement.
Our devotion will surely be known to the Buddha. Let us carve statues in peace....
...Day...Month, Third Year of the Xiande Era
My worthless son, Yixian, idles all day, lazy and unambitious. It seems the Yang family's Buddha-carving heritage will die with me. Lately, fewer merchant ships come to town for statues... perhaps it's time to change trades. Ah, never mind. Kids must find their own way....
...Day...Month, Sixth Year of the Xiande Era
Two years of dwindling earnings. The town grows uneasy. A'huai and others mutter about demanding answers from the Enlightened One. But the purge decree comes from the court. What can he do?...
...Day...Month, Sixth Year of the Xiande Era
A letter from the Enlightened One summoned me to the Pagoda of Karma at the Bodhi Sea to cleave stone. Only upon arrival did I learn the task, to split a rare jade boulder. Within its depths, the shadow of a Buddha faintly gleamed. Such jade ought to be polished and treasured, yet he ordered it halved. What waste... The stone resists all tools; I must work carefully....
...Day...Month, Sixth Year of the Xiande Era
The evening drum... why does it sound at noon? And from the Pagoda's direction. Could the master...? No, I must check it out.(The record ends abruptly here.)