The Eightfold Career Path; or Invisible Duties

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After Marco Polo has described a dozen cities seen in his travels, the exalted emperor, Kublai Khan, talks with Polo long past dusk. The moon rises, shining brilliantly through the glass of Xanadu’s pleasure dome. Shooting stars whisk past overhead, and conversation turns toward the practices of those who live in the heavens.

“Some years ago,” the emperor reveals, “the captain of my guard was a Shaolin monk: a follower of the Buddha and a man given to visions of the future. He told many tales of the times to come—especially the work our descendants will do to earn their daily bread. Each of his stories also related to Buddhist principles… such as the Eightfold Path which Shakyamuni Buddha prescribed as the road to enhghtenment.”

“I’d be interested in hearing such tales,” Polo says, “if, great emperor, you were inclined to repeat them.”

“I’m happy to do so,” Kublai Khan replies. “I think about the stories often, and reflect upon their lessons.”

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