"THE DEATH OF TENG YIN-FENG"
by
Charles Deemer
3550 SW Pomona St.
Portland, OR 97219-7518
charles@charlesdeemer.com
THE CAST:
Teng Yin-feng, a Zen monk, a dying old man
Rin Tin-teng, his student
Pu-tui, his sister, a nun
Wo-fang, a nun
THE TIME:
Late in the 8th century
THE PLACE:
Somewhere in Asia
THE SET:
Interior of Teng Yin-feng's modest abode, the ground
for a floor. Floor mats on the ground, a chest, pots
of flowers.
-----
(AT RISE: Teng Yin-feng lies on the ground on his
back. Rin Tin-teng paces back and forth.)
RIN
How do you feel now?
TENG
The same.
RIN
Bad, then.
TENG
Neither bad, nor good. Dying.
(Rin paces some more.)
TENG
Different.
RIN
How do?
TENG
You are making me nervous.
RIN
I'm sorry. I guess I'm anxious.
2.
TENG
To see me die?
RIN
For you to recover!
TENG
Impossible.
RIN
I have not given up hope.
TENG
I hope for nothing.
RIN
Then I have enough hope for both of us.
TENG
Life, death, it makes no difference.
RIN
Not to you, perhaps. You have already found the Way. But I am just a student. I still have
much to learn from you.
TENG
You have never learned anything from me.
RIN
I have learned everything I know!
TENG
Correct.
(A pause.)
TENG
Where are the children?
RIN
What children?
TENG
From the school. Who-fang was to bring them.
RIN
But why?
TENG
To watch me die. It would be educational.
RIN
You will not die. You will recover and continue to teach me the Way.
3.
TENG
I asked you to tell Wo-fang to bring the children.
RIN
I don't think so. I remember nothing about that.
TENG
What do you remember?
RIN
I remember nothing about the children.
TENG
What do you remember about anything?
RIN
I remember my lessons. I remember that dukkha is the five aggregates of attachment. I
remember that the five aggregates are matter, sensation, perception, volition, and
consciousness. I remember that the energy combinations of the five aggregates are forever
changing.
TENG
Do you remember being in your father's loins?
RIN
No.
TENG
Do you remember being in your mother's womb?
RIN
No. But I was not yet a child. I was much too young to remember.
TENG
Already you are much too old.
(A pause. Rin paces.)
RIN
Would you like to sit up?
TENG
Why?
RIN
Perhaps you would be more comfortable.
TENG
I have not mentioned discomfort. But how are you?
RIN
Anxious for your recovery.
4.
TENG
Then help me sit up.
(Rin helps Teng sit up.)
RIN
Some tea?
TENG
Nothing.
RIN
Rice?
TENG
Tea, then.
(Rin fetches tea.)
TENG
I was looking forward to playing with the children one last time.
RIN
You will have many more visits with the children.
TENG
No. You will have to play with them for me.
RIN
You are disheartened because you've been ill. But you will recover.
TENG
You still want lessons from me?
RIN
Of course.
TENG
Then watch me die.
RIN
(bringing tea)
Here. Tea will be soothing.
TENG
I need nothing. I'm drinking it to help you.
RIN
Yes, perhaps you are right.
TENG
It is better to be wrong.
5.
RIN
Why?
TENG
Then one is right. Um, it does taste good.
(Teng pours his tea onto the ground.)
RIN
I thought you liked it.
TENG
I do. I want it waiting for me.
RIN
You are very pessimistic today.
TENG
If it is pessimistic to accept fact, then I am pessimistic.
RIN
I think we both need some diversion. Do you feel up to giving me a lesson?
TENG
No. I want to be amused. It is traditional to amuse the dying.
RIN
But I cannot accept your assumption.
TENG
Tell me, what's been happening in the marketplace?
RIN
The usual rumors.
TENG
Tell me again. My memory is worse than yours.
RIN
Many speak of a great warrior in the West. Charlemagne. They fear he will spread famine
and desolation throughout the East.
TENG
They think we'll be conquered by the West?
RIN
Yes. But I am not so pessimistic. What do you think?
TENG
I cannot think. It is thought that thinks.
RIN
I don't foresee being conquered by the West.
6.
TENG
Perhaps it could happen. It would depend on where you're looking from.
(Teng breaks into hysterics over this, bordering on a
seizure. Rin is panicked, trying to calm the old man
down.)
RIN
Please, you must conserve your strength ... maybe you should lie back down.
TENG
(recovering)
Yes. Help me onto my stomach.
RIN
I think you'd be more comfortable on your back.
TENG
On my stomach!
RIN
Are you sure?
TENG
Tell me ... does anything exist after life?
RIN
Of course. The energy of the five aggregates merely changes its distribution. Change alone
is permanent.
TENG
Then energy will want to escape from my body?
RIN
That is too complicated for me. I am just a student. What do you think?
TENG
My thought thinks that if energy wants to escape, it needs an exit. Help me onto my
stomach.
(Rin helps him onto his stomach.)
RIN
How's that?
TENG
Good. Now listen ... did you hear it?
RIN
I heard nothing.
TENG
Come closer. Anything?
7.
(Rin moves closer, then quickly away, waving his
hand.)
RIN
I smell it.
TENG
Do you remember what Yo-poo said on his death bed? That one passed the Soul by
passing wind.
RIN
But that contradicts the Doctrine of No-Soul and No-Self.
TENG
Yes. But why take chances?
RIN
Let me roll you over.
TENG
No. I want to die on my stomach. It has never been done before.
RIN
Yo-poo died on his stomach. Have you forgotten already? You just referred to him.
TENG
My memory is worse than yours.
RIN
Please, let me turn you over. You don't look comfortable.
TENG
Then help me to my feet. I want to die while standing. It has never been done before.
RIN
Have you forgotten your lesson about Chung-lug, who died standing up?
TENG
Twice already. Tell me again.
RIN
I'm putting you on your back.
(He does this.)
RIN
How's that?
TENG
Good.
RIN
See there?
8.
TENG
Like dying.
RIN
When you stop acting so contrary, then I'll be worried.
TENG
Prepare to worry.
(Pu-tui and Wo-fang enter.)
PU
How is he?
RIN
Complaining a lot.
PU
I made reservations at the crematorium for late in the day, before the crickets begin.
RIN
He's not going to die.
WO
If he misses his reservation, he must wait a week.
PU
But not here. The stink would be unbearable. Down by the river, if that's the case.
TENG
Is Wo-fang here with the children?
RIN
Wo-fang has come with your sister.
TENG
Who?
PU
This is Pu-tui. You have until the crickets begin.
TENG
Where is Rin Tin-teng?
RIN
I am right here. I have remained by your side.
TENG
Why isn't he telling Wo-fang to bring the children?
WO
The children are in the river.
9.
RIN
Can they swim?
WO
Some of them.
PU
The others can bathe on the bank with dirt.
TENG
Where is my sister?
PU
Right here. Can't you see me?
TENG
I see someone -- but I remember my sister as much uglier.
PU
He must be getting close.
RIN
No! Can't you see me? Look, I'm dancing! I'm dancing to celebrate your recovery! Do you
see?`
TENG
I feel the heavy rumble of elephants marching to the graveyard.
PU
We'll be on time.
WO
Yes.
RIN
You can't die yet! I have too much to learn!
TENG
Is someone whispering?
RIN
It's Rin Tin-teng! Can't you hear me?
TENG
Hello? Is anyone there?
RIN
I'm right here beside you!
PU
There is nothing you can do. His time is very near.
(Rin falls to his knees in anguish.)
10.
WO
Why don't you go bathe with the children? It would help.
RIN
I'm not leaving him.
(He touches Teng's cheek.)
TENG
Ah!
RIN
He can feel it!
TENG
So we break the vows one more time, do we?
RIN
It's me, my teacher.
TENG
Give me your breast.
(Rin, shocked, removes his hand and backs away.)
TENG
Where did you go? I don't have the strength to chase you to the pagoda today. I can't even
sit up.
PU
Accept it. His time has come.
RIN
I don't want to accept it. I want to be shown the Way.
TENG
Have it your way, then. Just as well. I have only a little time now.
RIN
Can't we do something for him?
PU
Of course we'll do something for him. Do you think he could make it to the crematorium
on his own?
TENG
Is Rin Tin-teng there?
RIN
Yes!
TENG
I see only the night. I hear only the wind. But my student is here, isn't he?
11.
RIN
I am beside you!
TENG
You must help me.
RIN
Just tell me what to do!
TENG
If you are there, Rin Tin-teng, help me stand on my head.
RIN
What does he mean?
PU
He's delirious.
WO
His faith is not strong enough to pull him through.
TENG
Yo-poo dies on his stomach. Chung-lug died standing up. I shall die standing on my head.
It has never been done before.
WO
Is Death so horrible, to do this to a great teacher?
PU
He was always overrated.
TENG
I need your help. Rin? Wo? Is anyone there?
PU
Notice he didn't ask for his sister.
TENG
Someone help me stand on my head!
RIN
He mustn't get excited.
PU
Why not? It hastens the end.
TENG
I want to stand on my head!
RIN
I'll help him. He must calm down.
(Rin goes to Teng.)
12.
TENG
Who is there? It's you, my student, isn't it? You are going to help your old teacher.
RIN
I'll have to prop him against the chest. All of us could move him more gently.
PU
He's a raving fool. At death, as through life.
RIN
He's your brother.
PU
He belongs to the Universe. The five aggregates can do with him what they will.
TENG
Put me on my head!
(Rin will drag him to the chest and help him stand
on his head, however awkwardly, propped up against
the chest with Rin holding his feet.)
TENG
I don't want a ride! I want to stand on my head!
WO
Perhaps he's developed a headache and wants pressure on it.
PU
His life has been a headache.
WO
At least it will be over before the crickets begin.
PU
Thank Buddha for small favors.
TENG
Where are we? Who is it who wants to wrestle?
RIN
I'm putting you on your head.
TENG
Is that the ground? Or the ceiling? The ground! I smell dirt.
RIN
Here we go.
(Teng is now on his head.)
TENG
Ah! Thank you!
13.
(A pause.)
PU
Any moment now.
WO
If he's early, we'll have time to join the children in the river.
TENG
Rin Tin-teng? Are you there?
RIN
Yes!
TENG
I see only the night. I hear only the wind. But there is a difference now. Standing on my
head ... it makes a difference.
WO
I never knew that would cure a headache.
TENG
Listen to me, my student. Listen to me carefully.
RIN
I shall listen to the end. Show me the Way, my teacher.
PU
The Way is to the crematorium.
TENG
There is something I haven't told you yet.
RIN
Tell me!
TENG
I have already told you that the five aggregates, which is dukkha, are matter, sensation,
perception, volition and consciousness. You know about the ever-changing distribution of
energies among the five aggregates. You already know the doctrine of No-Soul and No-
Self. But there is more.
RIN
Show me the Way.
TENG
It has just now occurred to me.
RIN
He's found the meaning of life!
PU
I can hardly wait.
14.
TENG
Listen carefully: Life is a nice place to visit ... but I wouldn't want to live there.
RIN
I'm not sure I understand.
TENG
Whoop! Whoop!
RIN
What's the matter?
TENG
Whoop-whoop! Whoop!
WO
The hiccups, perhaps?
TENG
Whoop-whoop-whoop!
RIN
I'd better put him down.
(He releases Teng's feet.)
TENG
Leave me on my head!
(Rin holds his feet up again.)
RIN
I thought something was the matter.
TENG
Whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop!
WO
Do you suppose it's like this for all of us?
PU
My brother's death is an example only for fools.
TENG
Whoop-whoop-whoop!
(Silence. A pause.)
PU
Looks like it's over.
TENG
Rin Tin-teng? Are you still there?
15.
PU
I should have guessed he'd play dead.
TENG
I don't want to be turned rightside up again.
PU
His life was a joke. He insists on making his death a joke as well.
TENG
My sister would turn me rightside up. I'm counting on you, my student. I want to be
carried upside down to the crematorium.
RIN
I will do whatever you say, my teacher.
TENG
I can't remember if you've ever met my sister. She's the ugliest one in the village.
PU
I hope the crickets beat him to it.
WO
But he'd have to wait for days by the river bank. The body would begin to rot.
PU
Exactly.
TENG
Don't fail me, my student. Whoop!
RIN
You have my word!
TENG
Whoop-whoop! Ahhhhhhhhh ... ah!
(A silence.)
WO
You think maybe?
PU
I'm not falling for the same trick twice.
WO
It was a very different sound.
RIN
(softly)
Goodbye, my teacher.
PU
I'll try tickling his feet.
16.
(She does. Nothing.)
WO
Looks good.
PU
(to Rin)
Will you help us carry him to the crematorium?
RIN
We must carry him upside down.
PU
Don't be ridiculous.
RIN
He insisted.
PU
He's a fool. In death, in life, same difference.
RIN
But I gave him my word.
(Pu pushes Teng over. He falls to the ground.)
PU
There. Now your word has nothing to do with it.
RIN
Now I've failed him ...
PU
(to Wo)
Come on, he's going to try and make amends. I recognize the look.
(Pu and Wo begin to drag away the body.)
RIN
What can I do to restore his faith in me?
WO
(ignoring this, to Pu)
We'll have time to bathe.
RIN
Help me! Someone show me the Way!
(Rin gets up onto his head.)
WO
What is he doing?
17.
PU
Like teacher, like student.
(They exit, dragging out Teng.)
RIN
(tentatively)
Whoop? Whoop?
(A pause.)
RIN
(with increasing confidence)
Whoop. Whoop-whoop. Whoop! Whoop! WHOOP-WHOOP!
(as lights fade to BLACKOUT. The play is over.)