Denny in the News

Demon Island    A long time ago, there was a small temple on a little hill overlooking the sea. There were two novices at the temple being taught the strict teachings of Buddha. (Kin Kanonji Buddhist Temple in Kin Village: photo by John Ellis) The older of the two novices was bright, but, although first at learning the sutras, he was totally lazy at doing anything else. The younger novice was exceptionally diligent about following the priest’s orders and set himself firmly to learn Buddhism’s precious beliefs. Thus, it was a given that the older novice bore the brunt of the priest’s scoldings. It happened one day that the priest was away from the temple. “Ah, but I’m bored, really bored,” murmured the older novice as he gazed at the movements of a mountain pigeon. Then, as if he had hit on an idea, he set off briskly down to the village at the foot of the hill.  A little while later, the older novice came back with a chicken, its wings still fl...