Two Friends

Ron had always had an interest in all things Asian. As a kid, he would run around the back yard pretending that he was surrounded by a band of ninja, that he was the last soldier to defend the town. With little effort, he would defeat all the attackers, and send them running into the night in fear. As his parents realized his growing interest in martial arts, they enrolled him in local community classes, and later signed him up for regular study at a martial arts school.

One day, when Ron was about ten years old, he asked about a scroll on the wall.

“Sir, what does that say?” Ron asked.

“Those are Chinese characters, it's a story about a man being chased by tigers” the instructor explained.

Ron asked “Did the man get away?”

“I have a book that you might like, I'll get it for you.” The instructor walked to his office and came back with a book that had a picture much like the wall scroll painting.

“Here, it'll tell you about that story,” he said as he handed Ron the book.

As it turns out, it was a small text of comic strips about Asian Philosophy. Ron was already interested in Japanese comic books, and although he liked the pictures, some of the stories didn't make sense. As he grew older, he continued to read those stories from time to time, and found more of them started to be clear as he experienced new things in his life. Although he started to understand what they were talking about, he found he wanted to learn more.

Finally, Ron had graduated high school and was ready to apply for university. At the time, he wasn't entirely sure what he wanted to study, considering all the options ahead of him. The only things that could come to his mind that he thoroughly enjoyed were martial arts, food, and computers. Well, that and the stories in his teacher's old comic book. After researching the academic programs at the local college, he finally settled on learning philosophy. His parents weren't convinced that he could do anything with it, but relented after much encouragement.

***

Overall, he enjoyed his time at university, but Ron especially enjoyed the lectures on East Asian philosophy, specifically the units on Buddhism. His instructor clarified that, while Buddhism is largely seen as a religious practice, the underlying principles were more easily defined as a philosophical outlook on life, which is why there was a unit on it. Ron absorbed the material, and found he wanted to learn more. Being a Friday, and having nothing else planned, he rode his bike to the local bookstore, and bought several books on Buddhist philosophy. He spent the entire weekend reading introductory books on Buddhism (because that's what all college students do on their weekends). By Monday, Ron had decided he wanted to go somewhere where he could study Buddhism in it's more natural environment. He had decided to study abroad.

Ron went to the study abroad office at his university, and picked up all the fliers having to do with East Asia. He had never realized all the opportunities available for students to attend university overseas, and was overjoyed at the programs in China, Korea, Japan, and India. When he went home for the day, Ron began browsing the brochures he had picked up. To his surprise, most of the programs were far too expensive for his budget (his parents had agreed to pay part of his expenses, but a year abroad began looking like it'd cost upwards of twenty-five thousand dollars!) As he browsed the costs, he noticed that China had the least overall cost, being about half the listed fees for a year in Japan.

Later that week, Ron called his parents and asked if they would support him attending university overseas for a year. They agreed, on the condition that Ron kept in constant contact with them, and ensured everything was planned and well thought out before he left. He explained that the programs were very well planned, and supported by staff from the host country, as well as staff from the home university. They relented, and Ron began the process of applying.

***

After a series of courses in Chinese Language and history, Ron felt he has adequate preparation for his studies abroad. While he was nowhere near fluent in Chinese, he knew enough to ask where the bathroom was and how to order food in a restaurant. How much could a student need?? The only thing left now was to wait to hear from the program selection committee to see if he was accepted.

In Spring term, the final term before summer break, Ron was getting increasingly anxious, and would eagerly check the mailbox each day for any news. Finally, he received the letter from the Study Abroad Office, and he was accepted (of course he was! It would ruin the story if he failed, now wouldn't it??)! He called his parents and let them know that he would be attending university in China for a year, starting the next fall term.

***

It had already been a few months since Ron arrived in Beijing, and he was already becoming disillusioned. Although he had experienced a lot while he studied at Peking University's International Division, he had barely had any exposure to the topic he really wanted to study. His Chinese had greatly improved, and he was able to understand small bits of information from the news programs on TV. As he understood it, there were to be nation-wide elections for a new president, and everybody was excited at the prospects of the candidates.

One day, he went to his program advisor's office, and expressed his disappointment. The advisor had been working at the Division for years, tailoring the program to give the student's a variety of glimpses into China's great history. She explained

“Well, Ron, after the Presidential election ends and our spring break starts, we are scheduled to make a trip to Lhasa, the old Tibetan capital. There are a number of museums dedicated to the history of Buddhism there, I'm sure they'll have a lot of things you'd like.”

“Oh? That's cool; Do you know if the Dalai Lama will be giving talks while we're there?”

“It's hard to say, Ron, the Dalai Lama has always had a full schedule of events in all parts of the world, and with the presidential elections coming, his office is sure to be busy organizing the new president's inaugural visit to Lhasa for the Lama's blessing.”

“Well, I'm just hoping to be able to visit the Lama's Palace, I've only ever seen pictures”

***

Ron finished his packing for the week-long trip to Lhasa. He was excited, and knew he needed to catch the bus soon, or he would miss the tour's bullet train departure. He bid farewell to his host parents, who were busy opening their grocery shop, and made his way towards the train station. The bus ride was largely uneventful, as Ron had his face buried in a tour book of Lhasa.

The bus arrived and Ron hurried towards the train terminal. He met up with the advisor, and the other students, and they boarded the bullet train towards Lhasa. As the train began to pick up speed, an attendant explained the elevation changes and how they could affect the body if improperly prepared. Ron listened with only minor interest, still reviewing all the things he wanted to see when they arrived. The train ride took 14 hours, and they arrived late that evening. As the advisor organized their accommodations for the week long stay, the students mingled in the lobby of the inn. Finally, the advisor issued room keys as each student was pairing up for room assignments. Ron had been paired up with Jeremy, a friend he had got along well with during their stay in Beijing. Jeremy was issued the room key, and the advisor requested everyone to retire for the next day's events.

Jeremy and Ron went to their room, which was more spacious than either were expecting. Ron was so tired, since he barely slept the night before out of anticipation. They decided to turn on the TV and watch what little programming was on so late in the evening. Finally, they settled on a baseball game, although neither were particularly interested in the sport. Ron slowly drifted to sleep.

***

The next day, Ron awoke to the sun shining through the window. He hadn't known such a restful sleep in years, although he just attributed it to the fatigue from the long train ride the day earlier. As he got up, he realized that Jeremy wasn't in the room. He found a note attached to his hat, simply saying the Jeremy couldn't wait any longer and went to the lobby for breakfast. Ron got dressed and went down to join his friend.

He found the dining room already full with guests, although Ron realized many of them weren't Chinese, but people of Tibet. The dining halls were open to all guests as a service during their stay, however natives and locals were welcome to dine here for a small fee. As Ron later found out, it was also the cheapest place to eat outside the home in the whole city.

Ron saw Jeremy sitting at a large table with the other students, who had already dished their breakfast and were eagerly eating. Ron walked to the dish counter, picked up a place setting, and made his way to the table. Sitting across from Jeremy, he surveyed the family-style breakfast prepared by the innkeeper. It was largely unfamiliar to Ron, consisting largely of steamed dumplings with mountain vegetables in a clear broth, dried as well as stewed yak meat with potatoes, and freshly prepared milk in large pitchers. Chinese teas were also served, in steaming pots at the center of the table. Ron hardly realized how hungry he was until he began eating. After Ron had finished, and the other students were engrossed in several conversations, the advisor came over to the table and outlined the activities for the day. Their first tour was to be the Dalai Lama's palace.

***

As the tour group made their way towards the palace, Ron could hardly contain his excitement. He had read so much about the palace while in Beijing, and had been itching to see it since the trip began. The advisor had organized a personalized tour for the students, which meant they were being offered a rare opportunity to see sights most tourists didn't. Their guide was a monk of advanced age, who had volunteered to give the students the tour personally. He spoke with a soft, kind accent, though he had little problems conversing in English. He often emphasized a point with a small chuckle, which made Ron feel as if each statement contained some profound meaning that was, at the same time, so simple. The tour continued for about forty-five minutes, and as it was drawing to a close, Ron noticed a door had been left ajar, and something sparkled as he passed by. Seeing that the tour had continued into the next room, Ron couldn't suppress his curiosity, and chanced a peek into the room. As he slowly opened the door, careful not to make a sound, he entered and realized what he had found. The room contained all manner of souvenirs, from a pair of eyeglasses, a set of prayer beads, and a collection of photographs. Looking, but careful not to touch, he surveyed the various items with interest. Ron was so engrossed in the items that he didn't hear the door open and another person enter the room.

“I see you've managed to wander off, young one,” the monk said, startling Ron.

“I'm...I'm sorry, sir, I just saw something sparkling and wanted to know what it was,” Ron said,

trying to get control of his racing thoughts.

Then, Ron realized the monk who had caught him was the the same one who had guided the student tour through the palace. Ron offered a shallow bow, and the old monk chuckled,

“No need to be so formal, please, I get enough of that everyday. Why do you think I offered to lead the student tour myself? I needed to get away from my duties for a little while,” the monk explained.

Suddenly, Ron came to a realization. As he studied the mannerisms of the monk, he realized he had seen them before, in a documentary he watched back in Beijing. The simple robes and unadorned garb belied who he was in the presence of. His eyes became like saucers, and he gasped

“You're...you're the Dalai Lama!?”

“Please, please, I am just a humble monk, nothing more,” the monk laughed.

Even as Ron was struck paralyzed by his discovery, the Dalai Lama moved to the room's single chair, and sat down gingerly.

“Tell me, young one, what was of interest that brought you into this room?” He asked, inquisitively.

“W..Well, as our tour passed by, I saw something sparkle in the sunlight, and I was so curious what it was, that I just came in...,” Ron said, a little ashamed and intimidated.

“And did you find what you were looking for?” the Dalai Lama asked.

“Well, several of these items drew my attention...” Ron replied.

“Oh? Which ones?”

Ron carefully pointed out the items which had caught his attention; an old camera, a scroll with a painting of a man and a tiger, an old string of prayer beads, and a small book of prayers.

As Ron finished his list, he noticed the Dalai Lama's eyebrow raise, although his expression gave away no surprise.

“And do you know why these items peaked your interest?” he asked.

“I don't know, sir, they just seemed to be of great interest to me; it's hard to explain,” Ron said.

“Well, this is quite interesting, my friend, as all of these items you've chosen are relics of old only known to the Dalai Lama. Past, present...and future.”