Buzzati’s Restless Nights Part 2 of 5: The Walls of Anagoor
December 16, 2009 by dr. lam
A man was traveling in Tibet when his guide asked if he would like to see the famed city of Anagoor. The man replied that he had never heard of Anagoor and opening his map could not locate the city. The guide responded that the current ruler did not believe that the city of Anagoor closed off by walls was worthy of his attention so it was left off the maps. The man replied that he would be interested in seeing this interesting city. The guide explained that this city was entirely walled off and the inhabitants were known to be very happy, living life in a utopian existence.
Early the next morning at around 3 am, the guide and the traveler set out driving in the bleak darkness for hours until the city walls were reached. The guide asked the man, “Don’t you simply admire these beautiful walls?” The man replied, “Yes, but how do we get in?” The guide explained, “Well, you can’t. There are hundreds of gates to get in but they are all closed. You can’t see more than just one gate because they are so far apart from one another.” The man then asked, “What are all these encampments outside the wall?” The guide elaborated, “These are all the people rich and poor who are waiting for the gates to open so that they can get in to live there.”
The man asked when the last time the gates were open. The guide replied, “Well, that is not clear. Some say a few months ago. Some say 3 years ago. Others believe that it was during the reign of Ahm-Er-Erghun.” “And when was that?” the man quizzically asked. “About 3 centuries ago,” the guide responds. “Then how do you know that anyone lives in there?” the man probed. The guide responded, “We see smoke come out, but nothing else. We really don’t hear any noise of people, but we just assume there must be people behind those walls because of the rising smoke.” “And how long have you been waiting?” the man asked. The guide admitted, “About 23 years now.”
How often is our happiness contingent upon an external circumstance that we don’t have just yet? How long are we willing to forgo our current happiness for perhaps an elusive happiness? What if what we are waiting for is a lie? The Buddhist doctrine of bodhichitta says that our jewel is found below our feet not somewhere else. Maybe behind the Walls of Anagoor, there is emptiness.
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Great story and so true!! Love stories!!!
Fun blog, Dr. Lam!!! =)
Thanks!