Don Giles

The Shao Lin Chronicles Don Giles

The Shao Lin Chronicles: Book 2 - A Noble Quest begins after Te, Master Hui-k'o, has left the monastery to spread the Dharma. Lu, who was healed by Bodhidharma in the first book, and Jen Li, whose town was saved by Te are the main focus in Book 2. Both are now monks at Shao Lin - and they have been sent out to record the movements of various animals which will be used for teaching "movement meditation" - ultimately leading to the birth of martial arts at Shao Lin. In the meantime, the Southern Monastery at Fukien has come under attack by nationalists, the Wu Tang, who are intent on eliminating all traces of Buddhism from China. Lu and Jen Li, in search of their own "path with heart", agree to help attempt to stave off the rebels. This ultimately leads to the birth of the legendary Five Buddhist Masters, including the famous white-haired master, Pei Mei. Similar to the first book, Book 2 is a fiction, but written pseudo-historically as it borrows from Buddhist legend and lore, resulting in a story that blends adventure and excitement with Buddhist philosophy. Practical aspects of Buddhist teachings are explored, such as compassion, propriety, honoring life - while defending others, attachment, even love and marriage through the experiences and dialogues of Lu and Jen Li, who discover that their commitment to a monastic life is being compromised with their feelings of love for one another. Humorous scenes help balance the serious events that surround them, leading to a fanciful, yet dramatic conclusion.