Note 1 — Chi Hsiao Tang

“You are rich; why are you not satisfied with the things which money will buy?” was the next question. “They also are vanity,” was his answer. “Name, honour, riches, luxury; at the end of all is death,” continued Chi Hsiao Tang. “I have looked at it all, tasted much of it, and it does not satisfy beyond the passing moment. I do not desire it, and I have come to you, my Teachers, for instruction as to the way of attaining purification and the true life.” “To attain that you must suffer much. Can you endure?” said the sage. “I can,” was the reply. “Difficulties are many. Can you meet them?” Still he answered, “I can. I am not afraid of difficulties.” “But,” urged the wise man, “if you desire to attain the true life you must be ready to save, not to destroy men. No one can wear fine clothes like yours and put away the world. You will have to put on coarse cloth garments. When your shoes are worn out can you go barefooted on these rocky hillsides?” “I can in time,” was the reply. “We have no dainty food to eat, only grain and wild roots without salt. Can you eat these?” “Yes, this also in time.” “At home you have wine, tea, and hot water to drink. Can you give up all these and drink from the holes by the roadside?” “Yes! In time I can do even this.” The sage added further, “You will have also to serve us, dig roots, and prepare our food, you who at home have always been served. Can you eat1 all this bitterness, even to becoming a servant?” Chi Hsiao said earnestly, “All this I can and will do.” “One thing more,” said the man in yellow. “I have a dreadful sore on my foot. You will have to wash and dress that every day. I will show it to you!” It was indeed a shocking sight. For a moment Chi Hsiao Tang’s heart failed him, but he resolutely put down the disgust and nausea which the sickening sore produced, and answered as before, “I can dress it, Worthy Teacher.” “But you must press the poison out with your lips. Will you do that?” “Yes!” “Then try it now.” As he stooped and put his lips to what seemed a most loathsome sore, behold! it was a beautiful ripe and luscious peach, bound with invisible bands about the foot.