[Buddha-l] Seduction of a holy man

[Stanley J. Ziobro II]

On Tue, 28 Feb 2006, Dan Lusthaus wrote:

> Stan,
>
> There is an excellent story by Mishima (the title escapes me at the moment)
> that fits none of the types you spell out. A Buddhist ascetic catches a
> glimpse of a court lady going by in a pallaquin, and follows her a great
> distance to the palace, camping out outside her palace with little hope of
> actually seeing her, pining for her. I won't give away anything else, since
> it is a great read. Anyone remember offhand the title of this short story?
> (I seem to remember it is something like "the old sage and the lady" but I
> don't think that's it)

Dan,

This is quite good.  In my view there are moments in the life of an
ascetic when one is vulnerable to beauty in a very visceral manner.  It
can be a temptation or some spinning of Mara's web, but not necessarily
so.

If you do recall the title please give me the pertinent bibliographic
information.  I'd like to read this.  Is this now in English or only in
Japanese?  I'd prefer the Japanese.  Mishima's prose is excellent.

Stan