The Handprint in Autumn Rain and the Dance in Front of Temple

The stone statue in the hall was initially painted with gold lacquer which had flaked off over several years, revealing the stone inside. Under the dim light, it seemed merciful but horrible at the same time.

Ning Que looked at one stone statue, then another. He was so into them that he forgot himself and he felt no hunger nor tiredness, with his hands constantly moving in front of him.

He did not stop moving his hands until he finished observing all the four stone statues. He picked up the futon and sat down in front of the railings on the hall, facing the night of the temple, then closed his eyes and began to meditate.

Unwittingly, a night passed. Autumn rain fell in the old temple again, clearing the thin fog so that sunlight at dawn could shine on the cornice of the Buddha hall.

The clear and long bell from the main hall of the front temple spread to the distant rear hall.