Reading as hard as scaling cliffs（2）

Reading as hard as scaling cliffs（2）

I was torn when writing this part. If I do not introduce, people do not know wherein lies the “superiority” that I have claimed over and over. When I want to introduce, I face several problems. 1st, the contents are unavoidably tedious. Though the former parts were unfamiliar, there were still some stories to attract readers, as long as my writing was vivid, readers could be compelled to continue reading. But this part is purely religious content, I cannot elaborate at will and it is also hard to romanticise, thus inevitably makes for dreary reading. I want to give up and not write, but this makes the book lack content. It not only affects readers’ understanding of Shangpa Kagyu but the world also loses an opportunity to know the dharma teaching of Shangpa Kagyu. It is a loss from both religious and cultural perspectives. Because not all people in the world have the lineage relationship like me, even if they did, they may not have my ability for literary expression, and even if they did, they may not wish to write what in the view of publishers is an effort consuming but thankless book. If I used the time spent writing this book to write novels, I could have written two ‘bestsellers’ that brought the double reward of fame and fortune. However, I took the completion of this book as one of my missions in the temporary world. Therefore, I would not give up the opportunity to let more people know Shangpa Kagyu. At least, from the aspect of culture, this is very necessary.

A problem I face is controlling the “degree” of introduction. Because of confidentiality, I cannot display the dharma teaching completely, but I have to let readers feel where Shangpa Kagyu is superior after all? I try to introduce dharma teaching to the world as much as possible, and also ensure that my introduction is in the allowance of religious discipline. Therefore, I choose the middle path. I omit all meditation dharma paths of Shangpa, but I try my best to keep as much information, such as introductions of dharma teaching, the purpose and achievement of meditation and reasons why the dharma teaching is superior, as possible. I try my best to keep the original appearance of the Mandarin-translated contents Jianggong Guru transmitted, without embellishment or exaggeration, keeping the natural simplicity. Thus, this book has advantages that cannot be replaced by other books, from the perspective of both religion and culture.