Gold Mountain by Anne Azel

Author:Anne Azel [Azel, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Romance, General, Lesbian, Fiction
ISBN: 9781933720043
Google: 9-HAAAAACAAJ
Amazon: 1933720042
Publisher: P.D. Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2006-09-19T22:00:00+00:00

I nodded, making no comment on the different treatment for father and son. When Kelly talked about her brother, I could hear the contempt in her voice. I danced around the issue. Like a coward, I avoided searching for the truth. I stepped into safer topics.

"What were the monks chanting?"

"It's hard to translate, because some meaning is lost. They say things like: even gorgeous royal chariots wear with time and so does each human body, but the wisdom of Goodness goes on forever and the Goodness reveals itself to those that are good."

"Sort of like a priest telling the family that although the body is dead, the spirit will live on in Christ."

Kelly frowned. "Sort of, but it is far more complicated than that. Buddhists believe that for about four days, the deceased is not aware they are dead. The personality, spirit, of the individual is sort of in a trance. We call this time the First Bardo. The monks chant and pray because they believe that in this trance-like state, the deceased can still hear them and will be directed towards the Goodness."

I tried to make sense of this. "It's sort of a judgment thing?"

"The Buddhist don't judge. A person must seek Enlightenment through thoughts, actions, and deeds. It is a personal journey. Everyone is at their own place. After the four days, the deceased will see a clear light, the road to enlightenment, I guess you could say. Most flee from it, but some are ready and will go on. Those that flee will be reborn."

"Reincarnation?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe that?"

"I don't give it much thought. It's hard enough just living from day to day. Anyway, after the Clear Light, the person starts to realize they are really dead. This is the Second Bardo. It is sort of a time of review and reflection for the spirit, when they see all that they have done and not done in their life. They see their body, yet they now realize that they are not part of it anymore and they start to want a new physical form. The Third Bardo is when the personality seeks another birth based on their level of enlightenment. It's complex."

I smiled. "I can see that."

Intelligent eyes fixed on mine. "I have wanted to come, but I thought it might be awkward for you."

I didn't lie. I wanted her to understand my position. "It is. Anything you say to me I might have to repeat in court under oath. I want to be here for you, but please keep in mind that I'm a cop."

Kelly nodded but didn't say anything.

I filled the silence. "Why don't you have a nap? I promise that there will be no chanting, although I can't guarantee a three year old won't jump on your stomach."

Kelly laughed and leaned back, and I arranged her pillow. Her hands came up to touch my arms and then fall away. I smiled and so did she. There were walls yet to be overcome. I turned down the light, leaving the room in shadow.

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