The Arrest of the Stone Buddha
Created | Updated Apr 5, 2002
Throughout Japan, China, India and the eastern world, there are many gardens and statues erected in honor of Buddha. These monuments are said to protect those who are faithful to Buddha's teachings, and to help anyone in need.
Kazan was one of the many wool merchants that traveled Feudal Japan. He was tall and skinny like a young bamboo reed. Always when he entered a town, people would crowd around him to see what new colored cloths he had for sale.
It is not easy work, walking from village to village, with thirty or more large bolts of cloth on your back. Many times the weather is extremely hot or suddenly turn bad. One day when Kazan was traveling to the small village of Osaka, he became weary. Looking for a place to rest he saw a garden with a bench nestled under the shadow of a large Buddha statue. Placing his wears on the ground beside him, Kazan soon fell asleep listening to the sound of the breeze blowing through the cherry blossoms.
A beautiful dream overcame him, where a magnificent woman dressed all in flowers came to him and whispered in his ear, "Wake up. The wind has carried away your fabric."
This startled Kazan, and he finally returned form the dream. He saw again that he was sitting on a white marble bench, in a radiant garden. Above, fruit blossoms of white and pink rained down upon him. On the ground, framing the ancient stepping stones, were a collage of small white star shaped flowers. But nothing could compare to the giant stone Buddha that seemed to rule the garden, casting its protective shadow upon all who wish to approach. At the side of the bench, was an indent in the flowers where Kazan had laid his wears down. But he could not see any fabric.
Kazan ran to the Village, which was not far form where he had rested, and complained to the Magistrate. "Magistrate," Kazan began, "I was resting over there by the garden with the large stone Buddha. It was so peaceful that I fell asleep. When I woke up, I found all my goods, were gone."
The Magistrate of Osaka, a wise man named Keniche agreed. "I do not like the fact that someone from my village has chosen to become a thief. We will hold a trial this afternoon to find out who is the culprit."
Kazan thanked the Magistrate and went to find some lunch before the hearing began.
When the time came for the hearing to begin, the courthouse was crowded with curious onlookers. It was the largest building in the village, nevertheless, it appeared to overflow with people. The Magistrate stood before the crowd and silence flowed over them like a tsunami.
Banging his ornate staff on the floorboards three times, Keniche began. "I am Keniche, Magistrate of this region. I will find the truth to this mystery."
"Hail the wise Keniche." Came a thunderous roar form the congregation.
"Kazan, merchant of cloths, tell us your story."
Kazan stood nervously fingering his hat and related the morning's events. He was not very good with speaking to crowds, so he focused his attention on the short, somewhat fat man standing directly in front of him. Keniche was dressed in a white shirt, blue coat and blue breaches. Kazan noticed that these were made of very fine and expensive materials and wondered if the Magistrate would need any new material soon. Around the Keniche's neck hung a jade pendent on a golden chain.
By the time that Kazan had finished relating every detail to the court, his palms were sweating, and he was sure that he could feel every eye digging into the back of his neck.
"Thank you Kazan." Keniche said motioning for him to take a seat. Kazan sat down gratefully. "Does anyone admit to have committed this crime?" Silence. "Very well. This is as I expected. Bring in the culprit."
With these words, the large doors opened, and in came six men carrying the giant stone Buddha.
This," Keniche waved his hand towards the statue, "is the criminal. I charge you with stealing Kazan's goods."
Muteness fell over the gathering. Then, as if a burden had been lifted from over their heads, everyone began to laugh simultaneously. What are you going to do with a stone Buddha? Someone said, "Put him in chains and place him in prison?
The Magistrate waited for the crowd to settle down. When it became apparent that they would not do this for some time, he banged on the floor with his staff until the room was once again quiet.
"You are all in contempt of court." The snickering stopped. "These are serious charges. Buddha is responsible for taking care of all our people and has failed to do so. So we arrest this stone Buddha who allowed a crime to take place to someone who was resting under his protection. You people do not take this court seriously. For this I charge that each of you bring in one bolt of cloth, to pay this good merchant back for his losses. Those who fail to do this by noon tomorrow will be charged and placed in jail. End of session."
During the span of that day and into the evening, Kazan and Keniche stood watch as a pile of cloth built up outside the town hall. As the Magistrate brought Kazan some Miso soup, a young man hurriedly placed a bolt of gold cloth on the pile. Then began to slink away into the shadows.
Kazan jumped up excitedly, "That's mine! That's my cloth."
With that the Magistrate arrested Kojo. All the stolen goods were found in his house and returned to Kazan. The wool that the good people of Osaka brought was returned to them. And the giant stone Buddha was returned to his vigil in his garden.
Kazan was one of the many wool merchants that traveled Feudal Japan. He was tall and skinny like a young bamboo reed. Always when he entered a town, people would crowd around him to see what new colored cloths he had for sale.
It is not easy work, walking from village to village, with thirty or more large bolts of cloth on your back. Many times the weather is extremely hot or suddenly turn bad. One day when Kazan was traveling to the small village of Osaka, he became weary. Looking for a place to rest he saw a garden with a bench nestled under the shadow of a large Buddha statue. Placing his wears on the ground beside him, Kazan soon fell asleep listening to the sound of the breeze blowing through the cherry blossoms.
A beautiful dream overcame him, where a magnificent woman dressed all in flowers came to him and whispered in his ear, "Wake up. The wind has carried away your fabric."
This startled Kazan, and he finally returned form the dream. He saw again that he was sitting on a white marble bench, in a radiant garden. Above, fruit blossoms of white and pink rained down upon him. On the ground, framing the ancient stepping stones, were a collage of small white star shaped flowers. But nothing could compare to the giant stone Buddha that seemed to rule the garden, casting its protective shadow upon all who wish to approach. At the side of the bench, was an indent in the flowers where Kazan had laid his wears down. But he could not see any fabric.
Kazan ran to the Village, which was not far form where he had rested, and complained to the Magistrate. "Magistrate," Kazan began, "I was resting over there by the garden with the large stone Buddha. It was so peaceful that I fell asleep. When I woke up, I found all my goods, were gone."
The Magistrate of Osaka, a wise man named Keniche agreed. "I do not like the fact that someone from my village has chosen to become a thief. We will hold a trial this afternoon to find out who is the culprit."
Kazan thanked the Magistrate and went to find some lunch before the hearing began.
When the time came for the hearing to begin, the courthouse was crowded with curious onlookers. It was the largest building in the village, nevertheless, it appeared to overflow with people. The Magistrate stood before the crowd and silence flowed over them like a tsunami.
Banging his ornate staff on the floorboards three times, Keniche began. "I am Keniche, Magistrate of this region. I will find the truth to this mystery."
"Hail the wise Keniche." Came a thunderous roar form the congregation.
"Kazan, merchant of cloths, tell us your story."
Kazan stood nervously fingering his hat and related the morning's events. He was not very good with speaking to crowds, so he focused his attention on the short, somewhat fat man standing directly in front of him. Keniche was dressed in a white shirt, blue coat and blue breaches. Kazan noticed that these were made of very fine and expensive materials and wondered if the Magistrate would need any new material soon. Around the Keniche's neck hung a jade pendent on a golden chain.
By the time that Kazan had finished relating every detail to the court, his palms were sweating, and he was sure that he could feel every eye digging into the back of his neck.
"Thank you Kazan." Keniche said motioning for him to take a seat. Kazan sat down gratefully. "Does anyone admit to have committed this crime?" Silence. "Very well. This is as I expected. Bring in the culprit."
With these words, the large doors opened, and in came six men carrying the giant stone Buddha.
This," Keniche waved his hand towards the statue, "is the criminal. I charge you with stealing Kazan's goods."
Muteness fell over the gathering. Then, as if a burden had been lifted from over their heads, everyone began to laugh simultaneously. What are you going to do with a stone Buddha? Someone said, "Put him in chains and place him in prison?
The Magistrate waited for the crowd to settle down. When it became apparent that they would not do this for some time, he banged on the floor with his staff until the room was once again quiet.
"You are all in contempt of court." The snickering stopped. "These are serious charges. Buddha is responsible for taking care of all our people and has failed to do so. So we arrest this stone Buddha who allowed a crime to take place to someone who was resting under his protection. You people do not take this court seriously. For this I charge that each of you bring in one bolt of cloth, to pay this good merchant back for his losses. Those who fail to do this by noon tomorrow will be charged and placed in jail. End of session."
During the span of that day and into the evening, Kazan and Keniche stood watch as a pile of cloth built up outside the town hall. As the Magistrate brought Kazan some Miso soup, a young man hurriedly placed a bolt of gold cloth on the pile. Then began to slink away into the shadows.
Kazan jumped up excitedly, "That's mine! That's my cloth."
With that the Magistrate arrested Kojo. All the stolen goods were found in his house and returned to Kazan. The wool that the good people of Osaka brought was returned to them. And the giant stone Buddha was returned to his vigil in his garden.
