Jain Journal 1986 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 10

TEMPLE-STONE
LEONA SMITH KREMSER
Temple to old dusts blown, Here and there a shard alone, And on one shard, a script was shown, And thus disclosed this temple-stone :
Path abandoned, on objection To its third harmony of naked privation, ...Script faded into an oblivion, Then resumed ... Soul liberation, Without that penance like to a red scorpion. Yet heed a noble Lord of that religion.
Yea, the Lord Aristanemi, Thread of gold in the ages' tapestry, To wailing food-animals He gave liberty, Then He departed His wedding festivity. ...Script here fell into an obscurity, Then resumed with a ringing clarity ... Exult, O universe, in His heart of mercy, Enlightened Lord of non-injury.
Be this stone testimonial To tolerance in all things spiritual. ... Script here faded into an interval, Then resumed ... Reality be in the avowal Of truth in varied voices, perhaps none final, Yet be the law of non-injury eternal.
... Script again crumbled into a silence, Then resumed as of a holy, soaring presence ... Of food-animals, we two be of one conscience, My disciples, hail the Jaina Lord with reverence !
Alas, the shard was cleft by an upheaval unknown And thus no more disclosed this Buddha-stone.