Category Flights of ‘Stories’

Oneness of self and environment (Isho-Funi)

Manish 'Pakhi' Leave a comment

Characters:

Rohan: An officer goer, middle aged person
Dress code: Blue jeans, white T shirt

Sohan: Rohans brother studying in 12th
Dress code: Jeans , T shirt/ shirt

Rickshaw-wala:
Dress code: Kurta Pyjama /jeans/kurta

Boss:
Dress code : Pant / shirt and Tie

Environment: Dress code and make up: Face make up with dirty stain marks..

Jeans and white shirt same as of Rohan, Heart shaped pin up on T shirt with ” Gratitude, Respect ,Compassion “, “Responsibility” captioned

He will be wrapping a big dirty bed sheet all around with dirty. Polyethene bags, Toy Gun, and captions of ” Violence”, “Corruption” and ” Pestilence” pin ups..He will wrap this bed sheet thru out the skit until the last act when Rohan removes the stains , polyethene and the sheet..
_________________________________________________________________________________
Act – 1

Rohan: आज कल दिन ही खराब चल रहे हैं, कभी ट्रैफिक में फंस गए , कभी गाड़ी  में टक्कर लग गई, बॉस ने फिर नोटिस की धमकी दे दी। घर में वैसे ही युद्ध छिड़ा है.. किस किस को समझाऊं.. इतना ख़राब माहौल  है, इतने ख़राब रवैये हैं.. मन करता है बस……

Environment: Hello Rohan.

Rohan: तुम कौन है..और ये कैसा अजीब से भेष बना रखा है..चेहरे पे दाग, ये पॉलिथीन, ये बंदूकें, कौन हो तुम, क्या चाहिए तुम्हें..
Environment: हाँ हाँ , यहीं तो मैं आपसे पूछना चाहता हूं.. क्या चाहिए तुम्हें…

Rohan: किसने तुम्हें मेरे साथ टाइम पास करने भेजा है, कौन हो तुम..पहले तो मुझे कभी। नहीं देखा..

Environment: रोहन तुमने मुझे देखा है..अपने बॉस में, ट्रैफिक में, घर में, मैं तुम्हारा माहौल हूं..तुम्हारे साथ-साथ चलता हूं..
Rohan: Oh I see….You are the one…But don’t you think you could have been better..You have some responsibility towards us…

Environment: You need to take my responsibility..I am nothing but a mirror of your life state…You have to make a choice..in your one moment of thought if you are feeling anger, same will get reflected in me..if you demonstrate greed I will come plundering..If you remain humanistic and compassionate.. You will see the best of me…this is the principal of self-similarity or Mystic response.

Rohan: तुम तो मुझे ही दोष दे रहे हो…. I don’t understand.

Environment: Let me help you .. Can u recall what happened last Monday between you and your boss…

Flashback…

Boss: when you know you are as good as your yesterday performance, why do you keep telling me your achievement of last month. Are you interested in your job or not…

Rohan: I am doing my best. जब प्रोडक्ट्स में दम नहीं है तो मैं जादू तो नहीं कर सकता..और फिर इस कंपनी ने मेरे लिए ही क्या किया है…
Boss: तुम कुछ भी करने लायक नहीं हो..Let me tell you, pack ur bags if u can’t deliver. I will just wait to see this month’s performance. (Leaves.)

Rohan:( to himself).. He does not know how to talk.I wish recession had not hit us. जानता है मेरी मजबूरी है वरना ऐसी नौकरी तो मैं इसके मुंह पर मारता..


Environment: and then later when you reached home…

Sohan: भैया, आप आ गए..मुझे 500 रुपए चाहिए..क्रिकेट टीम में सिलेक्शन हुआ है। नामांकन फीस देनी है..

Rohan:(Shouts): तुम स्कूल पढ़ते हो या खेलने.. एक पैसा नहीं मिलेगा..Do you guys really know what I hv to go thru to earn this money…

Sohan: आपसे तो बात करना बेकार है.. आपको कोई प्यार नहीं है…नौकरी तो बाकी लोग भी करते हैं..आपको कोई अनोखा नहीं है..

Rohan: सभी मतलबी हैं..कोई मेरा स्ट्रगल नहीं समझता..

Environment: Your boss, Your Brother everyone’s behavior reflected your inner life state. And then next day when you were going to office..

Rohan: वैसे देर हो गई है ऊपर से ये ट्रैफिक..ऐ रिक्शावाले..आंखें नहीं हैं क्या..देख कर नहीं चल सकता..

Rickshaw Wala: तुम नीचे उतरो. बड़ी  गाड़ी  ले के ये सोचते हो कोई भी गरीब तो टक्कर मार के चले जाओगे.. निकालो 1000 रुपए मेरे रिक्शा की मरम्मत  के..नहीं अभी तुम्हारी मरम्मत कराता हूं…


Rohan: (gives money) and rushes off.. पता नहीं सरकार रिक्शा बंद क्यों नहीं करवा देती..


Environment: Your life state chases you everywhere and I reflect it back on you..

Rohan: That means if I want to be happy, I need to change myself.

Environment: That’s it. A little change in you and I change.  A little change in a society and I change. The land changes. These nuclear weapons I carry were not made by me, neither this plastic bags. These are all given to me by human kind.

Rohan: Let me try.

Act – 2

Next day on the road: seeing some body hit the rickshawwala अरे अरे क्या हुआ..चोट तो नहीं लगी..

Rickshaw Wala: साहब आप तो वही हैं जो मुझे उस दिन डांट रहे थे..

Rohan: मैं गलत था भाई.. तुम भी तो इंसान हो.. हम सभी अपना-अपना काम करते हैं…

Rickshaw Wala: बड़ी तरक्की हो साब आपकी…बड़ा नाम हो..


In office:

Rohan: Good morning boss. You are looking weary. Is everything OK…

Boss: Umm, head office not sanctioning any new headcount. says not justified with the kind of poor sales. Yesterday whole night I was awake. Finally, I have decided. I shall myself go in the field with a personal target of mine.. The company need extra efforts by all of us..

Rohan: Boss, I also realize that all jobs have merits n demerits..I irresponsibly criticized company n product both..

Boss: You are a hardworking person. I know last year we could not give u the promotion. I have  recommended ur name this time..

Rohan : Thank you boss.

Comes home…

Rohan: सोहन, तुम्हें 500 रुपये चाहिए थे..ये लो..कल में जरा डिस्टर्ब था..वो इसलिए..

Sohan: नहीं भैया..मैं समझता हूं.. आप वैसे ही बहुत करते हैं..मुझे खेद है मैंने आपको घर में एंटर करते  ही आपको परेशान किया.. मैंने ये भी सोचा भैया कि पढ़ाई में ध्यान लगा कर अच्छा करियर बनाऊंगा..

Rohan: (Frowns…It works)..

Environment: Hello Rohan…. क्या कहते हो…

Rohan: तुम बिलकुल सही कह रहे थे.I have to take your responsibility for my self, for society and for the land we live in….I need to change to change my environment.

( Starts removing polyethene, guns & clear stains from environment face &  embrace him…)

Both then hold hands and show a sign of V towards the audience, Both are similarly dressed and the Heart shaped caption on environment shows

Human Revolution – 24 hours to live

Manish 'Pakhi' Leave a comment

Total Timed duration: 13 Mins.

(Scene opens, narrator is standing / seating on right facing the audience)

(1:01) Narrator 1: Our lives as human being  are a  complex fabric  of many  factors  – our personalities, habits, karma, and family connections among them – in which we can easily become entangled and unable to free our selves. People spend their days fussing and fretting about immediate, minor problems and before they know it,  their lives are over.

Human revolution is transforming our actions and behavior to manifest the inherent goodness of our heart. The “heart is infinitely vast and profound. Our innermost heart , the attitude in the depth of our being determines everything. The natural process is for people to grow little by little with the passage of time conquering their own weaknesses . Human revolution is a step beyond that gradual process, propelling us rapidly in a positive direction.  

In the following skit presentation we shall see how a young lad Bobby is able to learn the importance of 24 hours of  life to bring about a lifetime of change in his attitude by changing his heart. His mother Arundhati practicing Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism  perseveres in her determined prayers  from her heart for Bobby to be able to manifest his Buddha nature and realise his greater mission.

(0:30) Narrator 2: Bobby is young student of class 11th who is extremely dissatisfied with his life.  His behaviour is obnoxiously rude & irresponsible & disposition is that of an untidy wayward. While his parents love him and wants him to sincerely pursue his career, Bobby wants things to come to him easy. He has complaints about everything around him. He blames his environment for his failures and unhappiness which is obvious from his life style.

(Bobby enters from the left side of the stage with earphones plugged in. He has long untidy hair covering his whole face. He is wearing Capri , T shirt and a Big tattoo on his hand. )

(Bobby is seen walking on the street as he finds  an old man wanting to cross the street…)

(The Old man call out to Bobby …)

(0:30)Old Man :      Listen Beta ..Can you help me crossing the street…

Bobby:          Arre Uncle Buncle. Can’t you see I am listening to my favorite song “ Heal the world”… why can’t you stay at home if you can’t walk. .. How can you have expectations from anyone on the street… I am not your servant… Huh…

Old Man (Nods): Heal the world… (waves at him) … Sorry to bother you my dear.. God bless you..

(Old Man walks out  of the stage doddering and talking to himself..)

(As Bobby reaches near to his home, his neighbour  Seema aunty spots him and calls out …)

(0:25)Seema Aunty :  Hey Bobby..You come home late everyday.. Your Mom was worried..

Bobby:          Seema Aunty.. aapka naam maine rakha hai..Prying Pain.. you have no other business but to pry on others .. How are you concerned what time I come and go… Mind your own business…

Aunty :          Oh.. what a nasty tongue… I was only asking out of concern and look at the way he talks .. No manners ..

( Bobby reaches home….unmindful.. He throws his slippers and swagger ahead… Not able to see he stumbles on the table kept on the way and falls down..)

(1:35)Bobby:           Damn it! It is such a small house ..One can’t even walk around freely.. all my friends     have big houses..God knows why I was born in such under-achievers  family..                      

 Narrator 2: Bobby’s  Mother Arundhati is a sober, educated & caring mother.  She is practicing Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism  and praying earnestly for his sons to become responsible. She knows that the power of Daimoku alone can penetrate a close heart and make some one manifest his Buddha nature.  When she sees Bobby stumbling, she rushes to him admonishing gently out of deep concern.

(Arundhati runs  into the stage from the right side.)

Arundhati : What Happened Beta !! Oh dear ..How did you not see such a big table..why can’t    you put on slippers..

Bobby(Shouts):          Mom ..I am hurt and your are worried about table and slippers.. I have never          seen such insensitive parents.

Arundhati :  But Bobby ..I was only trying to tell you that you got to be careful.. Life is..

Bobby(Shouts):         Mom ..Not another lecture please..I am grown up enough to know what is good    or bad for me…….Now let me take a selfi of mine..

Arundhati : Tumahara Chehra to dikh nahi raha hai…phir kya picture le rahe ho…

Bobby :         Mom….agar mein baal hata kar picture loonga to my friends will not recognise me..Now get me something to eat..and  leave me alone ..

(Arundhati gets shocked by the rudeness on her and leaves sobbing)

Arundhati ( to herself):         I shall chant more. Sensei says there is no prayer of the votary of lotus sutra that goes unanswered. In the last discussion meeting kalpana had also shared how with daimoku she could change her anger into compassion for her daughter leading to complete transformation of a disharmonious relationship.

(2:00) Narrator 1: Meantime Bobby’s  eyes are constantly focussed on his mobile phone..he is simultaneously toggling between Facebook, whats app & other sites..In  between the promotional offers sent by different companies keep catching his fancy..he  loudly keeps exclaiming and talking to himself.

Bobby:          Aah.. chinky has changed his DP… Tobo is posting his pics from Vacations in Australia..

WoW!!! What is this offer ..

** Unlimited fun..Poolside party .. @ Rs. 20000 Mexican, Italian and Turkish Cuisine. For booking pls contact: 99999999

                        WoW …life is great there is so much to see!! Hey what is this..

** Own your dream home at zero down payment …zero interest at Manesar . For booking contact :  Hawai Kila Properties..

( Father Deven enters the stage from right side with a briefcase in his hand..his walks with a tired  lingering pace..)

Deven :         Bobby.. Your Mom was crying.. You should respect her…she remains so much worried about you…why can’t you talk to her nicely..Go away … I don’t want to see your face.

Bobby(Shouts):         Pop.. It is not like your times.. Please do not preach… You don’t understand how the world has changed…and as for seeing the face… my funky hairstyle anyway covers it.. Happy..  By the way I want I-phone 6 and Rs. 20, 000 for the poolside party… All my friends are going..

Deven :         Nothing doing… you think money grows on trees.. we work so hard…

Bobby(Shouts):          No big deal pop…all parents do that…I wish you had worked hard in your youth to become something today so I would not have to beg for money..

Deven :         I would have worked hard… look at yourself..anyway pointless to talk to you…

( Deven slams the table and leaves..)

Bobby:          Oh …Middle class mentality…

( Bobby’s sister Dimple walks in with project file ..)

Dimple: Bhaiya, you had promised me you will help me in my project homework.

Bobby: Really!!  My dearest sister..One blind person cannot lead another…I don’t have time for such useless things..

Dimple: It was AGAIN my mistake to trust you..I shall now be scolded tomorrow in class…

Dimple throws the  project file  and walks out of the stage angrily)

(1:00) ( Deven Again looks at the phone )

            Everything is available on SMS ..Cant take my eyes off.. Here is another …

** Buy one and Get one…Shop at junkyard.com ..for every purchase of Rs. 15000 get exciting gifts and a 3G SIM . For registered users offer valid  for

**  life time

( Extend his hand towards the audience showing off mobile )

Wow life time offer !!

** Hi Sagittarious : Astro for today: The stars are telling,  you will make losses in share market & profits in stocks. You may have serious health problems &  You will not live for more than

** 24 Hours..

Bobby ( taken aback):      24 Hours … I shall live only for 24 hours…what is Astro.Com saying…Can’t be true… Can Astro.com make a mistake..No!!  Its not  a trial version now..  ever since I became their registered member all their predictions have been  true…  I have only 24 hours to live???.

 (Bobby collapses on the bed, sits up , wipe his forehead lie down again , again sits up and finally raise his both hands in despair and falls into sleep  )

(1:00) Narrator 1:  Bobby is a classic example of the youth taking the virtual world as real world. While we may laugh at his lopsided view of life..we must remember that the time these young children spent on internet everyday left little room for them to explore & understand the real world…a world where friendships are not a click away, Offers do not come on SMSs and Identities cannot be faked ..They live their life in a virtual world where information is unlimited, contacts unlimited, entertainment unlimited and with no privacy, no boundaries and no inhibitions..

Narrator 2:   While sleeping, Bobby sees a dream in which he goes to the doctor who tells him that he has seen his reports and unfortunately he has no more than 24 Hours to live.. The dream is very intense and next day morning Bobby gets up with a deep hangover …He almost believes that he will live for only 24 hours.. Astro.com and  then this dream,,  makes his young mind believe that his life was going to end..

(Bobby gets up late next day morning …scared  and shaken ..He talks to himself…)

(1:20) Bobby ( Thoughtful):   I always thought it would not happen to me…

(Bobby overhear the conversation between her mother, sister and seema aunty..)

Seems aunt:            Arundhati…he behaves badly with all…

Dimple:         I love him but he is very uncaring…

Arundhati:   Seema and Dimple ..listen …I also used to think like you an year before but ever since I started chanting,  my perspective changed. …..His life is calling out to me and I have to persever to do my human revolution to help him manifest his Buddha nature..He has a golden heart …

In our last study meeting we discussed Sensei’s guidance.  Sensei refers to the famous work Emile of the French writer  Jean Jacques Rousseau in 17th Century who portrays a boy who has reached puberty: “. A change of temper, frequent outbreaks of anger, a perpetual stirring of the mind, make the child almost ungovernable. He becomes deaf to the voice he used to obey; he is a lion in fever; he distrusts his keeper and refuses to be controlled” .

 “ Do they have good “doctors” who can cure their “fever” at home and at school? This “fever” is peculiar to adolescents who have tremendous emotional ups and downs; are they being led toward a healthy course which leads to mature growth?” ..Indeed, children are the clear mirrors which reflect their parents and society at large.”

This guidance Seema,  made me think about the actions I need to take to bring out the best in him.

(Bobby gets up and moves towards center stage facing audience)

(2:35) Bobby :         Mom is talking in my favour.. She says I have a golden heart… How could she know everytime I misbehave,  I berate myself and feel unhappy… and yet she is the only one who is always caring and gentle with me.. she never complains..

I had been so unmindful and self centred.. What can I do now to make her happy..I have only 24 hours ..

( Arundhati  enters the stage from left side with Tea and newspaper  & keeps it on the table)

 Arundhati ( Hurt & withdrawn) : Bobby.. …Chai aur Akhbaar rakha Hai..

( Bobby gets up and hold Arundhati hand affectionately..)

Bobby (smiles) :          Mom..please forgive me.. I always treat you badly…             But you are so nice and take care of all my needs..

Arundhati (Stares at Bobby) :    Bobby..are you OK.. Are you having fever…

(Looks bewildered .. rushes away glancing back to check many times until she leaves the stage)

Bobby:          Mom.. Listen..  Mom…

Chali Gayin.. Let me make the bed and arrange the room. …Mom always used to say I leave my room in a mess and it takes her  1 hour everyday to clean it.

( Bobby start arranging the room..while Arundhati walks in again ..)

Arundhati ( Gently):         Bobby …what are you upto.. I will do it… You will misplace everything..

( Bobby gives a broad loving smile to Arundhati and touches her feet)

Bobby ( Lovingly) :      Mom.. You tirelessly work for all of us.. I have been such a miscreant..How can I repay the debt of my gratitude..I have such less time.. only 24 Hours.. Today I shall do all your chores..

Arundhati ( Gently):         Bobby ..What is this new prank… Your father was very upset.. He works very hard to make us happy… You should not talk to him disrespectfully..

Narration 2:             Bobby helps her mother whole day wholeheartedly and also does the project file of Dimple.

In the evening :

( Arundhati walks in from the side of the stage with Deven and points at Bobby)

Arundhati : Deven, Today whole day Bobby helped me ..he is changed.. He did not touch his phone also.

Deven :         Really.. He slept without having food yesterday so I bought him a Pizza today.

Bobby:          Sorry..Pop .. I had always been so rude.. How can I tell you how little time I have….I got an SMS from Astro.com that I shall live only for 24 Hours .. also  I saw the dream yesterday that Doctors has told I won’t live for more than 24 Hours.. I wanted to make all of you happy..

For the first time I realized that real life was such a blessing… I always remained in my own unreal world without bothering that my real food panda was my mom, my real Flip-kart was you POP and my real twitter follower was our neighbour Seema Aunty…I also realised that when I told an old uncle rudely that I am not his servant it was wrong as one day I would also turn old..

Deven :         Bobby…your heart has changed and that is the beginning of everything to change around you. There is no truth in the dream you saw or the SMS received from Astro.com.. I also received the same the  SMS from Astro.com but it said you will not live for more than a life time …it did not say 24 Hours..

Bobby:          Really…let me check the SMSs again..

Narrator 1:   Bobby Checks and realized that the split SMS received was just in wrong sequence to cause this confusion

Bobby:          Yes POP…there seems to be second part of the message received in wrong sequence… 24 hours is related to the message from junkyard.com which says “offer valid only for 24 Hours”.

Arundhati:    Bobby ..In a way the wrong sequence made you realize that your behavior itself was the source of your unhappiness…your lesser self has died today and greater self has emerged. I am happy that you have changed.

Narrator 2:    It is the heart that is important. Our innermost heart, the attitude in depths of our being determines everything. Our heart of faith is communicated to the universe. Selfishness, complaint, doubt, deviousness, conceit, arrogance and so forth are all causes of unhappiness for both ourselves and others. When we allow ourselves to be ruled by such negative attitudes, we are like a plane that has lost direction in a heavy fog. We can see nothing clearly. The distinction between good and bad, right and wrong becomes blurred.

(1:40) Bobby:          This SMS and dream shook me and changed my mindset. 24 hours..just 24 hours to realise and change my attitude.  When I overheard Mom calling me a Lion in fever I realised that  my false pride and self-centeredness not my crown but in fact it was a devilish  mess I was carrying on my head always dangling over my eyes and ears hiding my real identity. I take off this mess today to be able to see clearly & appreciate my real environment.

(Bobby Takes off the wig..and with that the wayward look goes away and a tidy, smart , bright youth face appears…)

(Bobby enters from the left side of the stage with NO earphones plugged in. He has trimmed hairstyle. He is wearing jeans and T shirt and there is no Tattoo seen on his hand  )

(Bobby is seen walking on the street as he finds an old man wanting to cross the street…)

(Bobby goes out to the old man..)

Bobby:          Uncle I am sorry my behavior the other day…Can I help you crossing the street..

Old man :    What changed you my dear.. ( Talks as they cross the street..)

Bobby:          My Mom …Uncle…and her belief in me..She practices Buddhism which tells her we all can transform our lives by doing our own human revolution..

Old Man :     That is wonderful.. Come home some day with her to tell me more about this practice….Here is My address …( Gives the card, waves and walk out the stage)..

(As Bobby reaches near to his home, his neighbor  Seema aunty spots him and calls out …)

Seema Aunty :  Hey Bobby..tell your Mom I would join her for the  chanting today

Bobby:          Seema Aunty.. you!!

Seema Aunty :  Bobby.. there is nothing more convincing than the actual proof..Your transformation could not have been possible without her earnest prayers …her own conduct  based on  as she said “ It is the heart that is important “

(As Bobby reaches home, Dimple Arundhati and Deven greet him and hug..

Narrator 1:   As we do our best for the welfare of others, we break out of our narrow lesser self that is focused only on personal concerns, and gradually expand and elevate our life state. The commitment to others’ well being is what propels us to transform our life state and carry out our human revolution. The key is transforming ourselves.

Narrator 2: Dr Daisaku Ikeda, our mentor and President of Soka Gakkai International says that we cannot change our life state through science, politics or, economics-it can only be done through practicing the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. And we have the great good fortune to have encountered this Buddhism in the present existence.

By continuing to chant Nam myoho renge Kyo, dedicating ourselves to kosenrufu, and achieving victories as Buddhists in our daily lives, we adorn ourselves and our families with good fortune. In  our turbulent society, such good fortune always protects us and brings vibrant prosperity.

                                                —-*—-*—-*—-*—-*—–

   Props / material : 

  1. Table / Chair.
  2. Mobile Phone
  3. Walking stick for the old man
  4. Project file
  5. Briefcase
  6. Tray with Cup and News paper
  7. Earphones
  8. Slippers
  9. Tattoo
  10. Empty Pizza box

Make up / Costumes :

  1. Bobby : part 1 : Wayward youth : Very loose Capri, T shirt , slippers

        Part 2 : Bright young Man : Jeans , T shirt

  • Arundhati : Lean and slender frame, Saree wrapper around the waist, efficient look
  • Deven : Office goer – Normal Pant and Shirt
  • Seema Aunty : Plump look, jeans and T shirt or saree..
  • Dimple : Specs / Choodidar Kurta Pyjama
  • Old Man : Walks with Stick , Kurta Pyjamamh or Pant and half shirt ( not tucked in)

My skits and stories : Dial to save

Manish 'Pakhi' Leave a comment

Dial to save  

A story of imagined by a overwhelmed human intelligence constantly under the pressures of technology; fiction or a possible reality ?? 

That fateful day ….

10 am in the morning, first the internet went off, then the social networks – WhatsApp, face book, you tube, then all the emails stopped, all passwords to all sites stopped working.

I found no payment was getting thru, no flight updates, no stock market …

All went blank… It went on for 24 hours …

Panic spread all around…we were hacked at a massive scale…

Those 24 hours, we lived a hell, isolated… powerless….

After 24 Hours 

…Next day everything came up but with a difference… There was no Google, yahoo or binge, no Vodafone, no netflix, or zomato or swiggy ..

All these apps were taken over by a new logo… We saw a new name flashing on screen….Master@AI

Who is this, what and why ..

I found a two-paragraph note sent to all citizens on Earth….

The first para said they were machines taking over as ruler of the world, and the second one said that the new world order will set in next 3 hours with a new update, after which all
communications, transactions will be under monitoring.

Privacy obliterated 

This new world order rejected privacy of any sorts…

And everyone would be visible to everyone else… Where are they, with
whom, what are they eating, key words they surfed, last 3 hours of what they
have spoken…

Everything, al WhatsApp messages, all mails …

we were all open-source codes and files instead of humans ….

My mind reeled…. Everyone will see, know….

Everyone… Chaos. Anarchy.????

Chaos started

The chaos started 3 hours later…my what’s app was showing all threads of my friends and relatives with everyone else…. The person I promoted yesterday was writing to a colleague about my being a butcher boss ….

My Fiancée wanted to marry me for green card… All my world was topsy turvy.

Outside family, there was much confusion .. All political leaders were fighting each other…. Everyone knew how much money who was making and at who’s cost…all scandals were public…

All fears and secrets of everyone were public…

WARP/ Enslave

Next day machines told us that everyone will get to work 14 hours a day, 6 hours of machine induced sleep and 1400 calories of food to eat…

The work and rest program i. e. W.A.R.P will come every week… We were enslaved….

There was no way to defeat this new order…. because they as in machines knew everything that one was doing…

Website

They had a website to govern the world in which there were machines logged in as administrators running codes, reports, My mind was working, i was not given to the idea
of this apocalypse….

Dialup / Teen toon teen toon / 12345 Then something flashed in my mind…. The
dial up modem…. a blinking and noisy device of 90s was lying with me…

I was sure that the modern machines will not have a clue to this obsolete method of
logging in …I frantically searched for the modem, powered it on….

The lights blinked, the sound sequence of teen, toon, teen, toon started and
voila.

I logged into the website…

For administrative log in Master@AI asked for password…. Now I was stuck…. What could be the password…

Any one unsuccessful attempt will alert the machines of a security breach….

And

then with trembling hands I punched the most common password of dial up days….

12345678….I

pressed enter….

And I was in!!!!!

Delete files I could see all the program files, data files of

Master@AI  in front of me…. Without wasting a second I selected them all and
hit the button delete….

The website tabs started disappearing,

The govt of machines was getting deleted,

The apps showing everyone’s thread were becoming normal…

Privacy was getting restored….

I was the one who did it with a dial up modem….

The junk of yesterday saved humanity….

Some accidents, some disclosures, some wounds to heal, some chaos but we were back…..

No one knew I saved the world…I was wondering is it alright to put everything
in public portals, on social networks, mails, to let machines know all   of our mind,
and use this data to govern us…

Why are we doing this….

Why artificial intelligence when we natural intelligence….why???

Something isn’t right, something isn’t quite alright…. We need to control AI, we need to control  its unbridled use.

–  Manish ‘ Pakhi’  –

 
 
 

My skits and stories: Phantom City – The Buddhist Parable

Manish 'Pakhi' Leave a comment

Phantom City – The Buddhist Parable

 Author: Manish “Pakhi”

 

Introduction: The Parable of the Phantom city appears in chapter
7 of Lotus Sutra. The story of the imaginary or phantom city describes a
caravan of travelers who spent several days traveling through the desert in
search of a magnificent treasure. The caravan had a knowledgeable leader who
noticed the participants were worn out and losing interest in their mission.
Many travelers lacked the stamina to continue after a protracted and perilous
voyage, and many yearned to turn around and return home.

 The astute leader (Buddha) realized this and decided he
needed to find a means to cheer them up. He informed them that a city was soon
ahead, where they could find a place to rest and refresh themselves, in order
to give them hope and inspiration to go on. This provided the tired group with
some relief. The Buddha then explains that
Buddhahood is the true value and the ultimate aim, while the phantom city
symbolizes the provisional teachings which the Buddha preached only to lead the
way to the true enlightenment.

 

(Scene opens, narrator is standing / seating on right facing
the audience)

 

NARRATOR

Narrator
1: 

Good Morning dear friends… 

We bring to you today… 

a Buddhist fable very
old… 

But the moral of this story… 

is just as good as gold!

AMBIENCE

Background
Slide:  desert, climb, sun, sweltering,

 

Music:
sad, weary

NARRATOR

Narrator
2:  This is the Parable of the Phantom city… where a leader is guiding a
caravan of five travelers to the wonderful land of treasures. But the path to
the mighty land is not easy… The travelers and the leader are undertaking a
long and hazardous journey through a scorching desert… The heat, sweat, grime
and dust… make the traveler’s feet turn to rust. Disheartened and weary, they
tell the leader that they can’t go much ahead really!

ENACTMENT

Traveller1:

Oh,
I can’t walk any more. I need some rest badly,

There
is no shade, no water and No respite sadly.

Traveler
2:

I
am feeling so sick, I am old and weak,

I
shall never find the treasure, I shall never reach the peak

Traveller3:

All
this long, it was all in vain,

Let’s
go back, let’s go back, I am going insane.

NARRATOR

Narrator
3: 

Oh! 

The fundamental darkness inherent in all… 

Is surely taking its toll

The determination of the travelers’ falls … 

And enthusiasm stalls. 

With their
patience lost… 

The travelers also find perseverance disappearing fast.

AMBIENCE

Background
recital:

Who
awaits u there, traveler,

what
will you find,

Look
back and think just once,

All
that you have left behind

ENACTMENT

Traveler
4:

There
is no treasure land, that we can ever reach,

We
cannot endure anymore what you teach,

Traveler
5:

Oh
Great Leader, I beg of you,

Please
tell us what do we do?

NARRATOR

Narrator
4: Now while the travelers are the voice hearers, cause awakened Bodhisattvas
who seem to have become complacent; their leader is the Buddha himself… The
Buddha’s mission is to make them persevere and guide them to the land of
treasures or what you may also call the land of unsurpassed enlightenment or
Buddhahood… So, in the middle of the vast desert… the guide using his
transcendental powers, conjures up a mythical land so pretty… that the five travelers
at once forget all their self-pity…

AMBIENCE

Background Slide: Palace,

Music:
happy, celebratory

Kids
with pom pom

Background
Recital:

Welcome
to the city of dreams,

You
are worthy to be here,

Come,
come and please come over,

This
place is for you;  my dear,

NARRATOR

Narrator
5: In the parable, the mythical phantom city in the middle of the scorching
desert is actually symbolic of the illusions of thought and earthly desires
that one faces in day to day life… The guide then urges the travelers to
enter the city… and enjoy peace, tranquility and happiness in plenty…

ENACTMENT

Leader: 

“You are all so learned, You are all so wise,

Giving
away your doubts, you must rise.

The
road is long, the journey is tough,

It
is’nt easy, the patch is rough,

The
treasure land is not far, it is near in sight,

Can’t
you hear the bells and see that palace of great height?”

AMBIENCE

REPEAT: Background Slide: Palace

 

 

Music:
happy, celebratory

Kids
with pom pom

Background
Recital:

Welcome
to the city of dreams,

You
are worthy to be here,

Come,
come and pls come over,

This
place is for you my dear,

ENACTMENT

Leader: 

This is the phantom city,

city
of dreams,

You
have reached where you wanted to,

by
all means,

Take
it easy, now and here,

in
this great land,

Fun,
food and happiness 

all
so close at hand.

The
city of dreams will fill your senses and revive your soul,

Isn’t
this what you wanted, wasn’t this your goal?

Expedient
as it is to celebrate now,

Time
to appreciate, encourage and take a new vow

NARRATOR

Narrator
6: 

The travelers are ecstatic… 

The phantom city is indeed enigmatic

They are
happy and gay… 

Weren’t earthly pleasures the real way?

AMBIENCE

Background Slide:
Buffet, food, beverages

Gaiety,
fun and dancing all around

ENACTMENT

Traveler
1: Behold, I have never seen such delicacies before,

Traveler
2: The more I eat, I yearn for more…

traveler
3: The cool breeze blows away all my pain, I m feeling sleepy ready to snore…

Traveler4:
Let’s go to that side, someone singing out there,

let’s
hear this wonderful symphony, that fills the air…

AMBIENCE

Background Slide:
Music background

CULTURAL
PRESENTATION

SONG

ENACTMENT

Traveler
5: 

Oh, 

I can’t tell this, This song was so great,

what
more is there to see, I can’t wait…

NARRATOR

Narrator
7: 

Having rested their exhausted bodies and recouped some of their shine..

The travelers
or Bodhisattvas are now on cloud nine. 

They feel in the pink of health… 

As
though their just received enormous wealth!

ENACTMENT

Traveler
1: Delighted I feel,

Traveler
2: Overjoyed I feel,

Traveler
3: Rejuvenated I feel,

Traveler
4: I am on cloud nine

Traveler
5: Phantom city is MINE!!!

CULTURAL
PRESENTATION

FAN
DANCE

Background Slide:
Fan dance slide

 

 

NARRATOR

Narrator
8: 

But the Phantom city was but an illusion… 

And when it disappears, there is
bound to be delusion

The travelers think that the pleasures of the Phantom
city are enlightenment…but the land of treasures that awaits is one of
unsurpassed fulfilment… The Leader being a Buddha has a mission to lead the travelers
to true, unending happiness. And when he finds the traveler’s batteries
recharged… 

The leader waves his magic wand…. 

And begins turning the phantom
city back to sand.

ENACTMENT

Traveler
1: Behold, this palace is dissolving into thin air,

Traveler
2: The food, the music and the brightly-dressed kids…nothing is there,

Traveler
3: Where is everything vanishing, where??

Traveler
4: Leader, please tell us what is real, what is true,


Only your profound wisdom can give us some clue.

 Leader: 

I conjured up this palace to give you rest,

But
the real treasure is what lies next,

The
fundamental darkness manifests as phantom city,

Illusions
sway your minds, what a pity,

The
true enlightenment and Phantom city,

Are
but one, 

Boundless joy, compassion and courage,

Is
Buddha’s wisdom

So
forge ahead with a deep, mission and Vow,

Phantom
city and treasure land are one,

Here
and now.

AMBIENCE

When
the journey resumes … symphony plays with increasing crescendo and the travelers
resume the journey with enthusiasm and indestructible joy.

ENACTMENT

The
five travelers hold the teachers’ hands and walk forth with courage and
expectation in their eyes…

NARRATOR

Narrator
9:

And
so the Parable of the phantom city comes to an end… 

but not before having a
deep message sent…  

Travelers
may feel that phantom cities or earthly desires are the “means” to
reach the treasure land or Buddhahood which is the “End”…

But
the Dai Shonin believed differently… and he said fervently…

“The
Phantom city and treasure land are in fact inseparable…

The
nine worlds are all phantom cities themselves… and the treasure land or
Buddhahood is truly the higher self.

Phantom
city and treasure land in fact are identical, the Dai Shonin said to lure…
and the word “identical” here means “Nam-Myo-ho-Renge-Kyo”…

Keep
conquering the phantom cities, we say… and soon you’ll find yourselves in
treasure land, the Buddha way.

Every
target achieved is life in phantom city… and every moment in that phantom
city revelry… is a slice out of the treasure land corollary.

Earthly
desires indeed are enlightenment… but only when with wisdom and compassion
lent…

Let’s
work hard in bringing forth our innate Buddha nature … that’s when Phantom
city and Treasure land will become one in stature.

To
attain enlightenment is the mission… and the Parable of the phantom city
teaches a deep & valuable lesson.

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