Explosions

So, here's the 'real' message for today, in case these are going through.

Two days ago, we had 7 visitors come over to the temple, important guests
of the master. So we all worked pretty hard, getting things in shape,
preparing the meals etc. So yesterday, we slept in, took it easy all
morning and the master announced that we'll have three days 'off', and
just go exploring the mountains instead of staying at the temple. So we
started in the afternoon yesterday, heading out with almost everyone (old
Ru Yuan and another girl, Wen Jue, stayed behind). It was a nice walk, the
weather was gorgeous, and everyone was pretty much happy, although we got
back a little late, trying to find our way in the darkm, tired and hungry.
But we just ate the dinner and skipped the evening prayers and had a good
sleep.

This morning, we were supposed to head out for the whole day, to go even
further, to the temple on the highest peak. But it didn't work out that
way. The 'down' side of the master's double personality came out again,
and instead of the funny, friendly guy who took us out yesterday, today we
were faced with a raging ego-maniac. He gave us a good shouting already
before lunch, about this and that little thing. One guy got up late and
missed the beginning of the prayers, another touched the masters rice bowl
when she was serving him food, and had laughed too much yesterday when we
had walked in the village, another had gone out of her room too late last
night (though it turned out she went to give old Ru Yuan a massage, which
the master had asked her to do... not having a reason to pick on her for
that, he said that at least you shouldn't have talked while you did it and
I heard you talking). And so on and so on. Half I didn't understand and a
lot I just let go straight past me. All the while sitting there with my
hands joined.

So he made one of the girls stay knelt down throughout the meal in the
middle, as she is not very submissive, instead she just keeps laughing and
doesn't give in to admitting that she has been wrong, or when she does she
does it with a smile (whereas others cry!!).

And it went on for another hour after we finished eating.

The result was that two people who came just a few days ago anyway, were
sent away from the temple. Another, the sweetest, nicest, happiest just
about all-capable girl of all of us, decided to go with them, which I
think pissed the master off, as she really is an angel and therefore a
favourite. But they decided to go back to their old temple where I suppose
the life resembles a little more the harmonius Buddhist life with no ONE
person lording over it.

Another, the smiling stubborn girl, was told to go packing, as she was
still smiling when she apologised at lunch, really not too serious about
the whole thing. As I left to come down here, I don't know if she is
really going, too.

But all in all, it's kinda gotten out of hand and a third of the people
are gone now. I'll probably stick around for another couple of days, but
then I'm off, too. Although I'm not really involved in any of this, as I'm
not a nun etc. and still a guest, and I'll be sorry to leave this gorgeous
place, I think it'll be healthier to get out of the way... Anyway, I have
other plans for the next few weeks... the adventure goes on! :)