Solid Answers

JP with Choi and Eun-Ji

Chinatown - San Francisco, CA

Master Park was a familiar name, yet something that anyone could find out with ease. His explanation was intriguing and curious, but did not prove anything objectively. She was not about to let her guard down without certainty.

Eun-Ji continued to keep up the act, “I will answer your questions, if you first answer mine.” It was a statement, not up for negotiation; though it was said in a way that was still gentle. “If you are indeed from Lindo, please tell me what sound is used for prayer time and what sound is used for meals? In the spring what flowers bloom at the monastery and what type of butterfly pollinates them? And finally, what color are the four small tassels on the hem of the monk’s tunic?” The last question was a trap question, the monks didn’t have four small tassels.

She patiently waited his reply, hands gripping the hammers tighter. One wrong answer and she would unfortunately have to take action.

Yeong wondered what it would take for this girl to believe him. He was being truthful. It’s one thing to be cautious, but he had told her everything he thought would help understand he was a friend, not a foe.

He blinked quickly to recenter himself, then opened his eyes, looking into her brown eyes, the same that were fake before and had lured him into a trap. Okay, he’d tell her what she wanted and add something else to it.

“At prayer, the samul is played, which consists of the Beomjong, which liberates those living on Earth; the Beopgo, liberates those living in heaven and hell; the Mokeo, those belonging to the water world; and, the Umpan, for those of the sky. It is a call for all to worship.”

Taking a deep breath, Yeong continued, “Only the Umpan sounds at meals. “ Yeong closed his eyes, imagining himself in the gardens within the monastery. “Besides the cherry blossoms, the azaleas and sansuyu bloom.” He could almost smell their sweet fragrance. “The long tail spangle pollinates the flowers.”

He took another deep breath. “But for a site to see, you should really wait for the Jindo Road, which shows itself at ebb-tide.”

“Now tell me, how does the dal apply to you?”