Incongruities
A poor Persian.
A sick physician.
A Buddhist disciple not addicted to drink.
Keepers of granaries coming to blows.
A great fat bride.
An illiterate teacher.
A pork-butcher reciting sutras.
A village elder riding in an open chair.
A grandfather visiting courtesans.
Shameful
A pregnant nun.
Wrestlers with swollen faces.
A rich man suddenly poor.
A maid offending public opinion.
A son in mourning getting drunk.
No Alternative
Drinking wine when ill.
Attending meetings in hot weather.
Beating children without explanation.
Being ceremonious when sweating.
Being cauterized when in pain.
Abusing one's concubine at the behest of one's wife.
Receiving visitors in hot weather.
Applying to resign on account of old age.
Entertaining guests in a miserable temple.
The essay continues; lists of: Resemblances, Vexations, The Name Without Reality, Indications of Prosperity (flower petals), Disheartening, Dismaying, Desecration of Scenery (to weep when looking at flowers), Unbearable (the sound of music when in mourning), Hard to Bear, The Power of Suggestion (seeing water cools one), Bad Form, Contemporary Crazes, Things Gone Awry (looking at beautiful flowers and not reciting poetry), Unlucky (to go to the toilet or let down one's hair in the light of the sun or moon).
4. morning bike ride down Mill Creek: an old man with a dog, who I believe I've seen before, said "good morning" as we passed each other. I'm not sure why I didn't reply; I may have still been processing his face. Then he turned around and yelled, "GOOD MORNING!!" in a cranky, aggressive voice. I felt bad--kind of stung. Thought about walking through Oxford w/Grandfather & all the passerby's who ignored his greeting. We were awkward with each other every time he was shunned. Both embarrassed.
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chalk this experience up to the list of incongruities???
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