Der Abt Des Klosters Yakushi
by Unknown · from Japanische Märchen
Adapted Version
Once, there was a kind old monk. He lived in a big holy house.
The Old Monk was very kind. He lived in a big holy house. He gave food to poor people. He gave gifts to poor people. He kept nothing for himself. He was a good man. He wanted to go to a happy place. He wanted to go there after he died.
The Old Monk was very old. He was very sick. He waited for a good helper. He wanted to go to the happy place. But he saw a dark carriage. Scary figures pulled the carriage. The figures looked strange. The Old Monk felt very scared. He was afraid.
The Old Monk asked, "Why are you here?" He said, "I am a good monk." He thought, "I did nothing bad." He did not know why. He felt confused.
The scary figures spoke to him. They said, "You took some rice." "Long ago. You did not give it back." This was a small mistake. The Old Monk forgot it. He forgot the rice for many years.
The Old Monk thought of the rice. He felt very sad. He asked the figures. "Please, give me time," he said. "I want to fix my mistake. I want to make it right."
The scary figures said, "Yes." They said, "You have a little time." They gave him time.
The Old Monk called his friends. He called his young helpers. They came to his bed. He told them about the rice. He told them about his mistake. He told them about the scary figures. He told them all.
He said, "Sell my few things." He said, "Use the money." "Buy rice with it." "Give it back to the holy house." "This will fix my mistake." "Please do this for me."
He told them, "Always be honest." "Always be fair." "Even with small things." "If you take a thing, give it back." "Or say sorry." "This is very good. Keep this lesson."
The Old Monk felt happy now. He closed his eyes. He had a soft smile. He went to the happy place. He was a good monk. He felt peace.
Original Story
Der Abt des Klosters Yakushi.
ei Nara auf der Straße nach Osaka liegt ein altes Kloster, das heute allgemein unter dem Namen Nishi no Kiyo1 bekannt ist, obgleich sein alter wirklicher Name „Yakushi-ji“2 ist.
Einst war in diesem Kloster ein frommer, gottesfürchtiger Abt, der sich bemühte, durch seinen Lebenswandel allen ein gutes Beispiel zu geben; er sammelte keine Reichtümer an, sondern verteilte die dem Kloster gemachten Geschenke und Gaben wieder an die Armen und behielt keinen Sen für sich. So hoffte er, wenn seine Todesstunde nahe, als gerechter Diener in Buddha’s Paradies einziehen zu können. Als aber diese Stunde kam und er gottergeben des Boten Buddha’s harrte, der ihn abrufen sollte, da sah er nicht diesen, sondern einen feurigen Wagen nahen, der von allerlei buntfarbigen Höllengeistern gezogen wurde. Der Abt war aufs tiefste erschrocken und bat um Auskunft, was er, der sich keines Unrechts bewußt war, Böses begangen habe, da anstatt Buddhas Bote Diener der Hölle kämen. Die Antwort lautete:
„Du hast vor vielen Jahren eine Maß Reis aus dem Klostereigentum für dich entnommen und bis heute noch nicht zurückgegeben. Dieser Sünde wegen harret deiner die Hölle!“
Der Abt bat, ihm noch Zeit zu gönnen, diese von ihm längst vergessene Schuld, der er keine Bedeutung beigelegt habe, tilgen zu können. Diese Bitte wurde ihm gewährt.
Er rief hierauf alle Klosterbrüder und Schüler des Klosters an sein Lager, erzählte ihnen die Gefahr, in der er wegen der geringen unbedachten Schuld geschwebt habe und sagte: „Nehmet alle meine geringe Habe, veräußert sie und gebet den Erlös zum Klostergute, auf daß meine Schuld getilgt werde und ich in Frieden sterben kann. Euch alle aber ermahne ich, laßt diese Lehre nie aus eurem Herzen schwinden, denn wenn mir schon einer einzigen Maß Reis wegen die Hölle drohte, wie mag es denen erst ergehen, die sich bewußt am Klostergute vergreifen und Reichtümer zur Lust und zum Wohlleben aufsammeln!“
Nachdem er dies gesagt hatte, legte er sich zurück, seine Lippen murmelten: „Der Friedensbote naht!“ „Namida Butsu — Heiliger Buddha hilf!“ Ein Lächeln verklärte sein Gesicht, er war tot, eingegangen in das Paradies als getreuer Diener des Herrn.
1. Hort des Westens, Nishi-Welt.
2. Yakushi = Name des Heilgottes, ji = Kloster. Dieses Kloster befand sich früher im westlichen Teile der Stadt. Da letztere heute teilweise zerfallen und viel von ihrer Größe und ihrem Umfang verloren hat, ist die Lage des Klosters jetzt außerhalb der Stadt an der Landstraße.
Story DNA
Moral
Even the smallest transgression, if unacknowledged and unrectified, can have dire consequences, and true piety requires absolute honesty.
Plot Summary
A pious abbot, expecting to enter paradise upon his death, is instead confronted by hell-demons who reveal he is being taken to hell for a long-forgotten sin: taking a single measure of rice from the monastery's property years ago. Granted a brief reprieve, the terrified abbot confesses his transgression to his disciples, instructs them to sell his meager possessions to repay the debt, and warns them against even the smallest dishonesty. Having atoned, he dies peacefully, his face smiling as he enters Buddha's paradise.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to peace
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The Yakushi-ji temple is a real, historically significant Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan, founded in the late 7th century. The story reflects traditional Buddhist beliefs about karma, sin, and redemption, emphasizing the importance of honesty and accountability, particularly for those in spiritual leadership.
Plot Beats (10)
- An abbot at the Yakushi monastery in Nara leads a pious life, giving away all gifts to the poor and keeping nothing for himself, hoping for a peaceful entry into Buddha's paradise.
- Upon his deathbed, instead of Buddha's messenger, a fiery chariot with hell-demons approaches him, causing him great fear.
- The abbot questions why hell's servants are there, as he believes he has committed no wrong.
- The demons reveal his sin: many years ago, he took a measure of rice from the monastery's property and never returned it.
- The abbot, realizing the gravity of this forgotten, minor debt, pleads for more time to rectify his mistake.
- His plea is granted, giving him a temporary reprieve.
- He calls all the monastery brothers and students to his bedside and confesses his near damnation due to the small, unreturned measure of rice.
- He instructs them to sell all his personal belongings and use the proceeds to repay his debt to the monastery.
- He warns them never to forget this lesson, emphasizing that if he faced hell for a single measure of rice, those who consciously steal from the monastery or hoard wealth will face far worse.
- After delivering his final words, the abbot lies back, murmuring prayers, and dies with a serene smile, entering paradise as a faithful servant.
Characters
The Abbot of Yakushi-ji
An elderly Japanese man, likely of slender build from a life of asceticism, with the stooped posture common in old age. His skin would be wrinkled and weathered from years of contemplation and simple living.
Attire: Simple, unadorned grey or brown monk's robes (koromo) made of coarse linen or cotton, possibly with an outer robe (kesa) draped over one shoulder. The fabric would be worn but clean, reflecting his humble lifestyle.
Wants: To achieve enlightenment and enter Buddha's paradise as a righteous servant, by living a life of virtue and selflessness.
Flaw: Overlooking minor transgressions, a slight forgetfulness regarding small material debts, which nearly costs him his salvation.
He faces a profound spiritual crisis at death's door, realizing a forgotten sin. He then achieves redemption by confessing his fault and ensuring restitution, ultimately dying in peace and entering paradise.
Pious, selfless, humble, conscientious, devout. He genuinely strives to live a life free of material attachments and dedicated to spiritual purity.
Hellish Chariot Driver
A grotesque, multi-colored demon, likely with a muscular and intimidating build, typical of Japanese oni. Its form would be designed to inspire terror.
Attire: Minimal, perhaps a loincloth or tattered garments, adorned with spikes or bones, emphasizing its demonic nature rather than human clothing.
Wants: To fulfill its duty of collecting souls destined for hell due to unatoned sins.
Flaw: Bound by the rules of the spiritual realm, it must grant the Abbot's request for time to atone.
It serves as a catalyst for the Abbot's final act of redemption, appearing to deliver a crucial message.
Stern, unforgiving, relentless, and bound by the strictures of karmic justice. It shows no personal malice but acts as an impartial enforcer.
Locations
Yakushi-ji Monastery (Nishi no Kiyo)
An ancient Buddhist monastery, traditionally known as Yakushi-ji, now commonly called Nishi no Kiyo. It is located on the road from Nara to Osaka. The interior features the Abbot's private quarters, likely with tatami mat flooring, shoji screens, and simple, austere furnishings befitting a pious monk.
Mood: Initially serene and pious, then filled with dread and urgency, finally peaceful and redemptive.
The Abbot's deathbed confession and his final moments, where he confronts his sin and achieves redemption.