Tiger in the Temple

I always admire Kafka, especially his parable
"Leopards in the Temple"

Leopards break into the temple and drink the sacrificial chalices dry. This happens again and again, repeatedly. Finally it can be counted on beforehand and becomes part of the ceremony.



Here's my version:

Tiger in the Temple

Not sure what you may or may not have heard, but on my tenth day at Odiyan, I decided I didn't want to be there anymore and I threw a tremendous tantrum, smashing things that were already broken and wasted. It felt really good.

I called it Maitreya's Revenge.

The next morning, in front of a council of elders, a jury trial, if you please, they asked me what was happening and I told them, straight up. I don't want to be here.

"We can see that and you're angry."

"No, not angry, just displeased with the way you people operate."

"You were smashing coffee cups in the temple and throwing buckets down flights of stairs."

"Yes, that's true. I did. Not just buckets, I threw a flying fit, flinging coffee cups that were already broken and caked with stucco. The buckets were cemented together. Trashed already. The easiest way to bust them apart is tumbling them down the stairs. I was working, like I was told."

"That's not working. That's an anger issue."

"If that's what you think, okay. Fair enough. But, you haven't been down there and I don't understand how you can pretend to know. Besides, I don't want your dis-ease. I don't like feeling sick, and I don't think anyone else does, either. This place is dirty. I'm not imagining things and I didn't manifest all the mites, rats, staph infections, filth and inaccountability that's haunting this place."

"We want you to leave."

"Good. I stayed up all night waiting for you to say that."

There was a long moment of bowed heads, silence,
and reverie.

"You're trying to stir up anger and it isn't working."

"I'm not angry. I want to leave. I like what you are trying to do here; I just don't think that you are doing it very well--- far less than optimal. Will you sell me some gas? The Topaz is empty."

"Sure," Carolyn said, "We think your intentions are good, just misguided."

"Don't worry. It's not your responsibility to guide my intentions. Can I go back to Dharma House? I really like it there. It's a totally different environment, and one I think is really healthy for me."

"My feeling is no," she said.

"Okay. Thanks for everything. Goodbye."

Then they rushed me out.

David escorted me and at the gate he gave me Amitabha.

He's a sweet generous man, more like what I imagined the place to be. I said,

"Oh, how wonderful! I don't deserve this."

"Well it's for you."

"Thanks, so much. I'll come back another time when I am not so angry," smirking,

and he said,

"Don't worry about that, Carolyn. She does that to everyone.
Have fun on your way out, wherever you go,
but don't wander too far away. . ."

He's a Renaissance Man, perfect peace.

"Oh, I'm coming back ---"

"Make it quick."