Puppet Pilgrimage 4

Entry 4 in Journal

It has been three months since Vesak and my last journal entry. During Vasak I got to see the buddhist flag raised into the air and hear the marvelous hymns of my religion. I enjoyed it a lot, praying under one roof with many monks and friends. It was an amazing experience. I cannot believe that I have finally made it to Qinghai. The land is rich and plentiful. The area is perfect to raise a family complete with a farm of yaks and crops. The people are friendly and the air is fresh and calm. The place is thriving with fish from the Yangtze and wildlife that are attracted to the clean blue waters of the river, it is very perfect. For some reason, out here I feel even closer to Buddha. The tall mountains in the distance of Qinghai are grand and beautiful. The place is perfect. I bought a horse from a man who lives in a small settlement three miles away from Qinghai, where our settlement will be. The horse, a beautiful creature was not cheap. I had to trade half of my supplies for it. But it doesn’t matter, since the horse will shorten my journey by several months. I cannot wait to bring my family here. They will love it. Today I prayed for my family and for the hope of good health here at our future settlement. Even though I am slightly nervous what awaits me on the path to my family, I cannot wait for the journey ahead.

Puppet Pilgrimage 3

Entry 3 in journal

I have come to the place where my memories become sad and lonesome. I have come to the city of Chongqing. This is where my mother and father were sadly killed. It had all happened when they went out to the rice patties for another day’s work. They were working fine until they accidentally disturbed a rice paddy snake. The snake bit both of them. The bite wasn’t deadly but their bites got infected and two weeks later they both died from the infection. They were buried here with over 310 other civilians. Even though the cemetery is a home for so many deceased people I find the whole cemetery grand and beautiful. I wonder what people thousands of years from now will think of it when they discover it. Even though this is a sad place for me, it brings back memories from my childhood. I learned of confucianism today when I was walking the streets looking for food from the market. The man told me that we were the first dynasty to embrace it. I cannot believe this. I feel that our dynasty is really changing things. I am proud of the dynasty that I live in. Today I visited a buddhist temple. I prayed there for my family. I was amazed of the intricate designs and colors of the temple. The experience was very sacred to me. I have only been to a temple several times in my over thirty year life and this temple really stood out. For some reason I felt extra calm and sound in this temple. I will never forget this experience. Tomorrow is Vesak, I will be going to the temple again to celebrate it. I will bring flowers for the offerings. I cannot wait to sing hymns and pray during the birthday of Buddha with the many people I grew up with in this very village. I cannot wait for Vesak tomorrow. Tonight I prayed for my family and for good luck. I cannot wait to see what comes my way tomorrow.

Puppet Pilgrimage 2

Entry 2 in journal

Over the past two weeks I have made great progress on my journey. I have covered over 869 miles along the Yangtze to the city of Yichang. I met up with a family in Yichang. The family was very hospitable and I learned that a new trade route called the silk road had been developed. This silk road carried a variety of trading supplies like spices, silk, ivory, stone, and other supplies. I was fascinated by the innovation behind this amazing trade route. The family told me that the emperor Zhang Qian had opened it up. Today I went with the father of the family and helped him sell supply at the market, we traded the supply for different agriculture and other living supplies. When I was in the market I saw a stand where a merchant was selling tin and jade figures, I bought a tin figure of a goat and another of a tortoise. I will treasure these amulets and will keep them forever. After the market we headed back for dinner. For dinner we had fresh chicken cooked with rice and bamboo shoots from the market. For a side we also had pears and chestnuts from the family garden, which was blossoming and in full color. After supper I went to the guest area the family had and prayed to Buddha for good health and that I would have a safe journey. I also prayed for my family and friends back at home and wished them very good fortune. I have had a very good journey so far and I hope that tomorrow my journey will have good fortune. I cannot wait to see what happens tomorrow.

Puppet Pilgrimage 1

Entry 1 in Journal

It has been five days since I left the city of Shanghai at the beginning of my journey. My quest will lead me 3,915 miles across several cities to the source of the Yangtze,

Qinghai. I am hoping the best for my journey, anything could happen here...to make sure I have a safe journey I have already prayed to Buddha with my friend, a monk who lives in Shanghai. I hope that my journey will lead me to my destination safely. For I need to scout the area where my family wishes to live. If it is a good area I will come back to my family and we will make the journey again along the Yangtze. I am hoping for the best. For if the land is fertile around our settling point we will build a farm and we will keep Yaks. Today, I met a friend, Buwei who has a small settlement along the Yangtze 50 miles from the city of Wuhan. We harvested lotus plants and fished. We then took our harvests and sold them at the village market. Buwei and I finished the day with a prayer to Buddha. Overall the start of my journey has been better than I thought. I miss my wife and four children, I hope that when I come to my destination I will find a peaceful land full of life and good fortune. I cannot wait until I am reunited with my family again. I will pray for them and wish them good fortune while I am gone. Overall, I can’t wait to see what Buddha brings to me tomorrow.