Tales of Time Now Past

The Tales of Time Now Past is an interesting book, and after I read the tales of India section I think the main theme is that it narrates the life of the historical Buddha, from his birth between King of Kapilavastu and Queen Maya to the time of his first sermon, then to his death as a man and his obsequies. It narrates the life of the historical Buddha from the time when the heathen were all of one mind against him to the time when people were all respect him.

In the Tales of Buddhism in Japan, the Eightfold Noble Path, which are right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration, have been revealed from the behaviors of the people in those short stories. For example, from the story "How the Venerable Dosho Went to China, Was Transmitted the Hosso Teachings, And Returned Home" (Tales of Times Now Past p.84), Dosho crossed the sea to China to acquire the teachings of the school of Consciousness Only, and he concentrated on learning the school of Consciousness Only day and night for a year until all the doctrines had been transmitted to him. The behavior of Dosho illustrates the right concentration of the Eightfold Noble Path. For another example, the young monk from the story "How a Monk of the Dojoji in the Province of Kii Copied the Lotus Sutra and Brought Salvation to Serpents" (Tales of Times Now Past p. 93) insisted on protecting his vow to present himself before the deity of Kumano and refused the request of the widow. The behavior of the young monk illustrated the right action and right intention of the Eightfold Noble Path.

I have not seen much influence that China has on Japan from the Secular Tales of Japan, but I think China has a huge influence on the Buddhism of Japan. From the story "How the Venerable Dosho Went to China, Was Transmitted the Hosso Teachings, And Returned Home"(Tales of Times Now Past p.84), holy monk, Hsuan-tsang instructed Dosho in Consciousness Only for one year, and Dosho brought this knowledge back to Japan and instructed his numerous disciples. This reveals that Japanese handed down some Chinese culture and China has a huge influence on Japan.

After reading the Secular Tales of Japan, I have learned that everyone could be valuable, no matter what his job is or what he looks like. The craftsman and the blind man from the tales showed their ability and talent and owned people's respect.