The Buddha Tree by Fumio Niwa

Author:Fumio Niwa
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0-8048-3254-4
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

The last sermon was over. Some of the elders' wives were preparing the bedding for the visiting preacher, others were clearing up in the kitchen. They would be the last to leave the temple, though they had had no chance to hear either Soshu's reading of the God-ensho or the sermons. The elders had gone home, and Shoju, who slept at Butsuoji during the period of the autumn services, was checking the empty hall, the sanctuary, and the corridors, to make sure nothing had been dropped or left that might start a fire. He picked up the worst of the litter, locked the outer doors, and finally switched off the electric lights.

'Goodnight!' The last of the women to leave called to Shoju on her way out.

'Goodnight, and thanks! We'll see you again tomorrow, I suppose.'

Silence returned to Butsuoji. Soshu lay in bed, breathing with some difficulty after the unaccustomed sake. He could feel the blood racing in his veins. Mineyo came in with a glass of water, which she put on the floor-matting by his pillow.

'They always come in crowds to hear you, don't they? Father Soshu's reading of the Godensho is becoming quite a local institution.'

Too tired to feel annoyed, Soshu murmured 'goodnight', and Mineyo left the room. Perhaps because of the sake, he fell asleep almost immediately, well content that the services were proving such a success again this year.

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