This was a favorite of Edwin's -- he sent it to me early in our courtship.

The Lama of the Crystal Monastery appears to be a very happy man, and

yet I wonder how he feels about his isolation in the silences of

Tskang, which he has not left in eight years now and, because of his

legs, may never leave again. Since Jang-bu seems uncomfortable with the

Lama or with himself or perhaps with us, I tell him not to inquire on

this point if it seems to him impertinent, but after a moment Jang-bu

does so. And this holy man of great directness and simplicity, big

white teeth shining, laughs out loud in an infectious way at Jang-bu’s

question. Indicating his twisted legs without a trace of self-pity or

bitterness, as if they belonged to all of us, he casts his arms wide to

the sky and the snow mountains, the high sun and dancing sheep, and

cries, “Of course I am happy here! It’s wonderful! ESPECIALLY when I

have no choice!”

In its wholehearted acceptance of what is, this is just what Soen

Roshi might have said: I feel as if he had struck me in the chest. I

thank him, bow, go softly down the mountain: under my parka, the prayer

flag glows. Butter tea and wind pictures, the Crystal Mountain, and

blue sheep dancing on the snow - it’s quite enough!

Have you seen the snow Leopard?

No! Isn't that wonderful?

Peter Matthiessen - “The Snow Leopard”