The vision

Mitevma of Tantaidan

One day, my mentor told me about two paths that are open to people. The first path is like a path up a mountain and it’s as if it’s made of stairs – and the stairs are high. And people can get to the best of the world by climbing them, one by one. The other way is like a path over mountain ranges, of which each is high but none reaches the sky. In between the ridges are marshes and swamps covered with mist and darkness. And the people, having got into the most terrible of swamps, will forget the tops of the mountains and the sky. Then the Wise One will let them down a rope from the sky and thus lead them to the steps leading to the best of the worlds. I listened to my mentor’s words and told him: “Truly, how astonishing must be that which will be accomplished on the second path! I wish I had not been born now but then to see what you said.” He replied, “Not everyone who is born then will understand what he sees. But you have understood now, and therefore you can see how it will be – if only it will be.” He put his palms to my eyes; it was as if two swords had pierced my eyes and head, and it was as if a heavy hammer had struck my chest. And I saw a plain with mountains on one side and a river running through the other. And across the plain wandered people, some alone, some in crowds, some sitting or lying motionless. The sky there was neither with the sun nor without the sun, and there was neither light nor darkness. People there shouted and fought, and took one another’s wretched rags and scraps; those sitting were kicked and beaten on the heads, and those lying there were trampled on like carrion. Some fell dead; then they got up and wandered again across the plain. Then a rock fell from the sky; it split open, and a naked man came out of it. He stood and with his hand drew a circle before him; and as he did so, a gate as of brass appeared before him. He touched them and they opened and through them the same plain appeared – all in sunlight and without people. And he entered through the gate and began to call people to follow him with a song. They shouted and threw mud and scraps of food and some stones at him through the gate. But nothing reached the gate, and the people were angry and hit one another. Then the dragon appeared, and it opened its mouth and attacked the man who had opened the gate. And he bit him, and beat him with his paws and tail, and came upon him sideways, wanting to crush him – but he could not overthrow him. Then a beast like a tiger descended from the sky; its pupils blazed with white flame, and its yawn spewed light; and it had wings as if they were of fire. The beast clashed with the dragon, and the ground shook. But the man folded his hands with a ladle, and water poured out of them. It became a lake, and from it a stream flowed through the gate, – and on the other side the stream turned into a river. People fled from it, shouting with fear, for they were afraid of drowning; and some of those who were lying were dragged away. But its water was clean and fragrant, and some wanting to drink, dared to come and drink from it. After they had drunk, they threw off their rags and washed in it, and thus became different: their flesh seemed to shine through their skin. When they had washed, they entered into the gate; and each one called the others after him. And when they entered, each touched the dragon, and the dragon lost some of his ferocity. And the people saw that those who drank from the river did not die, but went out to where the sun was. Then more and more people began to approach the river and drink from it; and some even brought those who were lying down to it. And those who were on the other side of the gate, where the sun was, emitted light from themselves; and it came out through the gate to the other side and lit up the plain. And so it was for a long time; and behold, everyone drank of the river, and washed in it, and passed through the gate. And then the plain on both sides of the gate was equally illuminated; and then the gate turned into a bracelet of shining metal, and the man who came from the sky put it on his hand. When the last of those who came touched the dragon, it subsided completely and lay down, sprawled out. Then the beast, like a tiger, grabbed it by the spine with its teeth and rose up with it to the sky. Then a mountain rose out of the lake, on top of which was a magnificent and beautiful temple, and from it steps down to the foot of the mountain. And the people began to go up the steps to the temple; he who had come from the sky stood at the steps. And everyone bowed to him as he passed, and he touched everyone against his heart. Everyone climbed the steps and entered the temple; he entered the temple last. And then the lake went into the mountain, and the mountain turned into a pillar of fire between the sky and earth. Then I saw the mentor standing beside me and handing me a bowl of water. I took it and drank, and my hands trembled. Then I lay down and till next day I could not get up or even speak. When I was able to speak, I wanted to tell the mentor about what I had seen. He said: “I know what you have seen, for I once saw the same thing. ” I said to him, “Master, all that I have seen has been marvellous and astonishing. I dare not ask you about everything, but about one thing only. Why was the dragon not on the other side of the gate, where it was evil, but on the other side of it? ” The mentor replied: “Where the dragon is, you cannot see him, for he is everywhere. Darkness in darkness is not seen, but shadow is seen in the sun.” I asked him, “So is there not a dragon around us?” He replied, “He who has it in him has it around him.” Then I was horrified and stretched out on the ground and closed my eyes. The mentor laughed and said: “What are you doing? Are you having labour pains or do you intend to give birth to a dragon before my eyes? Then I was ashamed and sat down; and he sat beside me. And he said: “Fear has never yet led anyone on a good path. Remember this: he who fears the battle dies before it begins. I will order you a bracelet and have these words engraved on it. “

Translated by Amradkhari