Friday, September 17, 2010

The lives of a stone

"..While yet the rolling earth abides, Men come and go like ocean tides.."

Nu Wa, a goddess in Chinese mythology, mended the heavens with refined stones at the very beginning of the world. With the help of a monk, the only stone that was left abandoned at a mountain was then transformed into a piece of jade and descended to the worldly world. It returned to the mountain in its original form finally, but with stories of these three lives being recorded on it.

This was described in the preface of the book "The red Chamber".《红楼梦》: 石有三生: 思凡-悟空-归情. 因空见色,由色生情,传情入色,自色悟.

It is a norm for me to ponder over and aver again each and every time I pass by these stones at Cerok Tokun. They seemed to be very mysterious to me with unknown stories archived deep inside.

I may go into their stories if I lay myself on them.

24 comments:

Cherry said...

mysterious indeed! i made it this time. :)

Kilauea Poetry said...

Fascinating and deep story-where enchanting characters come to life! I love these rich earthy tones- beautiful jade Rainfields--

Ginnymo said...

Large stones like that are always mysterious. I've come across a few in my life and always wondered how they got there. Some seem to be all by themselves like that. It's funny how we always want to sit on a large rock or stone. I have a photo of me and my siblings sitting on a big rock when I was 7 years old.

George said...

I can't help but wonder what stories these stones can tell. I hope you will learn them and then share with us.

Anonymous said...

I like the story, Rainfield..what a fascinating tale. I don't know about you lying on the stone though, it sounds kind of hmmm..not good!

LifeRamblings said...

many such stones depict various events. it would great if you explore further and interpret the stories to us.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Very interesting folk tale.

ruthinian said...

it does look so mysterious and interesting.

Sharkbytes said...

I almost showed a large stone from my hike the other day. But I would have just called it a glacial erratic. You would have read its life history.

AVCr8teur said...

They are huge stones and have much to tell.

betchai said...

your very mystical thoughts brought about the best in these pictures, very mysterious.

Malay-Kadazan girl said...

Make we wonder whether once upon a time hundred or thousand years ago a river flows onto the rock and shape them like they were now. Then the river change its path.

Grass said...

Nature and life are myterious enough that even today's science cannot explain everything.......

Frieda said...

thank you for the fascinating story. These rocks look mysterious...

silent moments said...

thats a mysterious folklore...
Seeing these stones something else came to my mind "rolling stone gathers no moss"

Tes said...

You weave such good stories, rainy! :) Mysterious indeed.

CH said...

I think of "Rolling Stone"...

haha...

Ayie said...

there are great stories behind those giant stones, only time can tell

Bengbeng said...

I like this story. If only I could read Chinese, i could read the original

eileeninmd said...

Another great story, Rainfield. Your photos are just lovely.

Sam!! said...

Nice story..nicely captured photograph..

Take care

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Your rock looks like a piece of jade. You must have gone to heaven to see such precious rock.

LOL Came via Kirigalpoththa's post when you mention heaven.

You really must come to New Zealand, and see the crater of the moon. My bro says it's like living in heaven,

http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2008/11/crater-of-moon-wairakei-park.html

when we are there, my bro says we must prance and dance.

p3chandan said...

Romancing the stones, rainfield61? You photos create lots of stories out of ordinary things..

Harshi said...

Ancient monoliths? =D That's such a nice inspiring story to go along with these mysterious rocks. You always make something ordinary appear extraordinary, in your own special way. ^__^