The Battling Buddhas of Bodhisattva Bay

-CRACK- The unmistakable sound of bone on bone echoed off the bookstore walls as Bodie’s fist collided with an unsuspecting nose. A painful gasp, a momentary look of surprise, and yet another one of Bodie's 'little mishaps' crumpled to the black and white checkered floor.

Bodie's twin sister, Jodie, leaned down and screamed furiously into an expressionless brown face.“NO SMOKING!” I guess it really didn't matter though, as the unfortunate victim was completely unconscious and bleeding profusely.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Stavros Thanos stumbled from his chair at the Author's table, and aimed an indignant scowl at his children as he raced toward the injured man.

“My first book signing and this is how you act? You're fourteen now, you're not kids any more -Sheesh! You're here to carry books, not assault customers."

Bodie hung his head in shame, as Jodie’s face began to lose its glowing crimson color.

Stavros pressed his handkerchief into the stranger's oozing nostrils and casually peered over his horn-rimmed glasses. “Anything to say for yourselves?”

“It was a reflex reaction sir -that I instantly regretted!” Bodie blurted out matter-of-factly, surprising himself and astounding his father. Bodie was pretty sure he had heard that line in an old pirate movie, and thought it the type of answer his father would appreciate.

"Uh-huh." Stavros paused to evaluate Bodie's suspiciously exceptional answer, before slowly turning his head and attention toward Jodie. "And you, what’s your excuse?”

Jodie stared at Bodie in amazement. Wow, what a great answer. How can I top that? Jodie wondered to herself, and unable to, panicked.

“Well, I was...”

“You was what?” Stavros aggressively waited.

“I was, you know, supporting Bodie. You always say that we should support each other, r-i-g-h-t?”

"Ha-ha!" Bodie burst out laughing at his sister’s answer, but quickly slapped his hand over his mouth and regained a more stoic demeanor.

"It's not funny son. You can't keep doing this kind of stuff. And Jodie, how many times have I told you about your flippant attitude?”

Jodie, ever unrepentant, pondered for just a moment and then smiled mischievously. “I give up, how many?”

Exasperated, Stavros shook his head and sighed, "I wish your mother was still here." What was she thinking?

****

= BEGINNINGS and BODHISATTVA BAY=

Stavros Thanos, emerging author and widower, became the twins' sole adoptive parent after his wife Aleea's passing –just days before the twins' ninth birthday. Anger issues had repeatedly pushed them to the back of the adoption line, and they seemed destined never to be adopted. Stavros was skeptical, but Aleea had seen past all their anger incidents, and formed a strong loving bond with them. Two weeks after their eighth birthday, Jodie and Bodie Pappas became Jodie and Bodie Thanos.

Aleea's death triggered something in the twins. They began getting into fights -and into trouble in general. Recurring ‘run-ins’ with the police became a concern, and Stavros was forced to rethink their locale.

Ultimately Stavros and the twins moved to a tropical island in the South Pacific, and settled in a cozy harbor town named Bayside. Due to the increasing number of burgeoning Buddhists, the locals had informally begun calling it Bodhisattva Bay. Stavros was encouraged many times to visit by Doryu Denpo, a close family friend who operated a bookstore there called ‘The Path’. But sadly, wasn’t until after Aleea had already passed away, that Stavros finally decided to take him up on the offer.

Doryu became a bright spot in the twins' life. He was the unofficial fun-loving uncle that filled the void for them -and seemingly for Stavros as well- after their new mother had died. He brought them gifts, took them on adventurous outings, and was spokesperson who explained away all their transgressions to Stavros.

Doryu was also fond of regaling them with embarrassing memories of their first encounter, and reminding them of their competitive nature. Like when they attempted to one-up each other with what Jodie and Bodie called a 'Buddha Blessing' contest.

The contest consisted of the twins quickly thrusting their arms forward and then striking the other’s forehead with the palm of their hand... SPLAT... 'Buddha Blessing'. The Blessings grew harder and harder, until finally the twins were rolling around on the ground and physically brawling with each other. It was then that Doryu dubbed them the ‘Battling Buddhas of Bodhisattva Bay’ -a nickname that stuck with them over the years. Later Stavros explained about their biological parent's abuse toward them, and Doryu was ashamed for having given it to them.

Jodie possessed a cheeky attitude that revealed itself with a harsh unfiltered tongue. Where Bodie's anger was physical, Jodie's was verbal... but just as, or perhaps even more vicious than her brothers'. This, a result of the many abusive sessions her birth parents had subjected her to. She used it as a defensive mechanism to keep herself from caring about most others, and to prevent most other people from caring about her. It was also a way to deflect any serious conversations she found herself in. She, like many people who are abused, had been brainwashed into believing that she must have done something terribly wrong for her parents to mistreat her the way that they had.

Bodie's anger and violent outbursts were spontaneous, potent and driven by guilt. They were a direct result of the lingering frustration he felt for not being able to help Jodie while she was being abused. -Restrained in an adjacent room- Bodie had been forced to listen to her screams as his parents burned her with cigars, and beat the bottoms of her feet with a baseball bat. And there were other things that the twins never spoke about. The guilt he felt was so great that he would shout into the other room, daring his parents to try and do those things to him instead of Jodie. When it became obvious that his verbal threats just incited them to abuse her more -he ceased. He always promised Jodie after each abusive session that he would someday get even for her... and all Jodie could do was hug him with all her might and cry on his shoulder.

****

= CAUSE & EFFECT * KARMA =

"I understand why you did it son, but you can't continue venting your frustrations on innocent bystanders.” Stavros glanced up at the growing number of bookstore goers -all craning their necks to see.

Doryu, noticing the commotion, elbowed his way through the crowd. “Who did this?”

Stavros watched the panicked look on his friend’s face and began to sweat considerably -his face a little green around the edges. “Do you know him?”

“It’s Ansil Botswanna. He and his wife Stuja are curators of this property. What happened? Who hit him?”

Stavros wiped the flop-sweat forming on his forehead -Doryu's answer catching in his throat.

"It was me, I did it Uncle Dory." Bodie mumbled into his feet, unable to look his shirttail uncle in the eye.

"Oh no... again Bodie?" Doryu's expression a mix of anger and sympathy.

"Well, nobody told the guy to be smoking a big ole stogie, now did they?" Jodie's voice cold, callous and unapologetic .

"I'm sorry." Bodie's face beet red. "Did I get you into trouble? Will he kick you out of..?"

"No he is not in trouble sir, and he will not get kicked out of the bookstore." Ansil pushed himself up onto his elbows and used the handkerchief at his nose to try and staunch the flow of blood. "Was it you who hit me... Mr.?"

"Yes-sir, it was. My name is Bodie, and I'm real..."

"Don't apologize to him Bode! Bookstores are for reading, not smoking!"

"JODIE! How dare.."

"Please no, she is quite right sir. And in fact I am grateful to Mr Bodie here for reminding me, although rather harshly, that while I do strive to gain control over my desires and vices, I often fail."

"I'm RIGHT? -Shocker!" Jodie beamed with pride.

"If you would please...?" Ansil offered his hands to Stavros and Doryu, who quickly pulled him to his feet.

"I'm so sorry." Stavros grimaced, "I don't know what has gotten into my children."

"And you are?"

"Oh, please forgive me Ansil." Doryu gave himself a little rap on the head with his knuckles. "What was I thinking. Please allow me to introduce my friend, Stavros Thanos. His son Bodie -whom you have already met. And his daughter Jodie -who isn't always quite this testy. Please all, meet Ansil Botswanna."

Stavros grasped Ansil's hand firmly and gave it a good shake. Bodie extended his hand to Ansil, who jokingly feigned ducking a punch.

"Shall we shake hands Miss Jodie?"

"Tell ya what. Let's just see how everything shakes out, shall we? And in case you didn't notice h-a-s-b-r-o, your nose is leaking all over my Uncle Dory's nice clean floor."

Ansil blotted the blood at his nose. "Ha-ha, yes indeed. I was quite able to ascertain that information all by myself, but I thank you all the same. And now I must beg your pardon for saying so Miss Jodie, but I cannot help but notice that perhaps you and your brother may be just a little tad bit angry?" Ansil hypothesized non-threateningly.

"What of it! What's it to you Nose-bleed!" -the crimson glow spreading across Jodie's face once more.

"Yeah, what of it!" Bodie parroted his sister and joined the fray.

"BODIE! JODIE! That's it! Enough!" Stavros' voice, loud and forceful. "Your behavior is unacceptable, and it stops now! Apologize to Mr. Botswanna."

"If it's all the same to you Mr. Thanos, I'd prefer to wait and see if they wish to discuss this at a later time. Perhaps once they've had time to reflect upon it?"

"He's in for for a long wait then!" Jodie whispered not so quietly under her breath to Bodie -causing the others to look, and an awkward pause in the conversation.

"Actually Mr. Thanos, I have something in mind. I think I would very much like your children to come to my home if you're not opposed to it. It's just next door."

"Well, considering what they've done, that doesn't seem like a lot to ask. Is there something specific that you want them to do? Chores of some sort?"

"Please, come tomorrow, and see for yourself." Ansil bowed politely and turned to leave.

"WAIT A MINUTE! Why should WE have to come?" Jodie bellowed -her spittle exploding into the air.

Ansil spun around on his heels -like a practiced dance step. "Karma Miss Jodie. It's true meaning would require a much more in-depth conversation at some other time. But for now let's just say, Karma".

****

= ALL PATHS LEAD =

As Stavros and the twins arrived at Ansil's home they could see him standing in front of three paths -each with an ivy-framed archway in front of it. A sign above the left read 'Theravada'. A sign above the middle archway read 'Vajrayana'. And the sign above the right read 'Mahayana'.

Forgoing any pleasantries, Ansil began. "Which archway do you choose Miss Jodie?"

"OH! Great! A game!" Jodie enthusiastically pointed to the archway on the left. "I kind of like the looks of that one."

"Ah yes. Theravada is a wonderful choice Miss Jodie, well done!"

"And you Mr. Bodie, which archway for you sir?"

"Hmm." Bodie halfheartedly pointed to the arch on the right. "I guess I'll go with that one."

"Mahayana, a most excellent choice indeed. And just to make it interesting I shall accompany your father through the middle archway -Vajrayana. Now please go through your respective archways and continue down the path until you find the exit." Ansil swept his arms toward the archways like a model on the 'Price is Right' show -displaying the prizes in showcase number two.

Competitive as ever, the twins looked at each other and counted down together. "1 - 2 -" Jodie took off at two -the agreed upon head-start that Bodie always gave her because of her limp. "3!" Bodie followed closely as both dashed through their arches. What they found inside, was a variety of obstacles. And circumventing them, first Bodie, then Jodie, spilled from the exits to find themselves in a large room, looking at each other. A minute later Ansil and Stavros appeared.

"HEY! all the arches lead to the same place, what gives?"

"You are quite the detective Miss Jodie. The different paths you take in life, often lead to the same destination. How did you like your journey?"

"Well. I had to branch off onto a couple other paths so I could get to the exit."

"And you Mr Bodie, how was yours?"

"Mm, there were some things I had to crawl over and under, but I managed alright."

"So, although you both experienced different events, and overcame different obstacles along your own individual paths, you both found yourselves at the same location, yes?"

"Huh?" Jodie cocked her head at Ansil -puzzled.

"Please allow me to explain further, and please allow me to introduce my wife." Ansil motioned to his wife across the room to join them.

"My wife Stu." Ansil took her by the hand. "This is the Thanos family I was telling you about. Stavros, Bodie, and Jodie."

"It is a great honor to..."

"Stu eh? What's the matter, couldn't your parents spell STUPID?" Jodie, amused by her own comment, laughed hysterically.

Stu joined in, her cheerful laughter filled the air, and disarmed the tension building between Stavros and Jodie.

"It's actually short for Stuja. But I must admit that I find your interpretation quite intriguing -if not alarming."

Jodie, baffled by Stu's response, wasn't quite sure how to react. "You know, most people hate it when I say stuff like that, even Pop."

"Hatred is one of the 'Three Poisons' of the mind, and does not serve any of us Jodie."

"Three Poisons?" Bodie's interest now piqued.

"Would you both like to hear more about them?" Stu's easy manner was like a loving, nurturing mother -something the twins had not really experienced since losing their own.

Jodie and Bodie looked to each other hesitantly, then back to Stu. "Sure, okay."

"Well, if your father is not opposed to it, please return tomorrow morning and we will begin."

"Absolutely!" Maybe there is hope for them after-all.

****

= THE THREE POISONS - Hate * Greed * Ignorance =

The following day Jodie and Bodie returned and were greeted by Stu and Ansil.

"Good day my new friends. It is I, 'Nose-bleed'." Ansil bowed at the waist.

"And I, 'STUPID'."Stu waved enthusiastically.

Jodie covered her face instantly with her hands. And Bodie, rather confused, just stared at them.

"What's the matter?" Stu placed her hand on Jodie's back and comforted her. "You no longer like the names you assigned us?"

Jodie opened her hands -like she was playing a game of peek-a-boo- just long enough to say "NO!"

"She didn't really mean it." Bodie pulled his sister close and hugged her. "It's just her way of feeling like she's in control, because of some stuff she went through when she was younger."

"And you Mr Bodie, did you go through 'some stuff' as well?"

"Not like her, but yeah, kinda."

"Come, please, let's sit and visit for a while. There's no need to be embarrassed Jodie." Stu took Jodie by the hand and led them all to a table in the garden.

Jodie blushed and squirmed anxiously. "You said you would teach us about the Three Poisons, are you still going to?"

"Yes. They are 'Hate', 'Greed', and 'Ignorance'." Stu hesitated. "And there is much more than those to learn about, but Ansil and I think we should focus on Hate for now, as we believe it has probably impacted both of your lives significantly."

"Well sometimes people hate you, and you don't know why, they just do." Bodie's words profound -his tone defensive.

"Yeah! That’s right!" Jodie's voice cracked. "And when they hate you, what are you supposed to do? You just gotta hate them right back. That's what I think."

Stu gently grasped Jodie and Bodie's hands. "Hatred is never eliminated through more hatred. Hatred only ceases through love and kindness. Fighting hatred with hatred merely gives hatred more room to expand, and a reason to grow. Always endeavor to live happily and free from hatred, even in the midst of those who hate."

"Well, that's easier said than done!" Jodie inched closer to Bodie and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Yes, you are very much correct Miss Jodie. And I have to confess. Your father explained to me about some of your early childhood when we were walking down the pathway yesterday. So Stu and I are familiar with some of what occurred. And we believe that we can help you both get past it, if that is your desire."

****

= PATHS TO ENLIGHTENMENT =

"You mentioned there was more than just the Three Poisons?"

"Yes Mr. Bodie. Stu and I are Buddhists. Stu follows the teachings of the Theravada, and I, that of the Mahayana. Remember, I mentioned the other day that two people might take different paths, but reach the same destination?"

"Yeah, but how do we know which path is the right one? What if we choose the wrong one?"

"There is no wrong path Jodie." Stu's voice serene. "Just different approaches to achieve the same goal."

"Well what is the goal of a Buddhist?"

Bodie studied his sister's face as she spoke. A smile wrinkling the corners of his eyes -realizing that she was having a real conversation, for the first time, in a very long while.

"That is a great question Jodie. Nirvana is the goal for many Buddhists, which could be defined as purifying the mind of the Three Poisons. Others may define it differently. And some would say that a more humble goal would be to merely lead a good life, and to strive for thoughts and deeds that create positive Karmic outcomes."

"I think we definitely want to learn more!"

"Absolutely." Bodie's head bobbing in agreement with his sister.

Over the following months and years, the twins met and studied alongside Stu and Ansil. With Bodie studying and learning about the beliefs of the Mahayana – the Bodhisattva Path. And Jodie about Theravada -Doctrine of the Elders- from Stu.

Bodie was in a particularly good mood one day. It was the four-year anniversary of he and Jodie studying with Stu and Ansil, and he carried a long cylindrical package tucked under his arm.

"Come on Jodie."

"Where are we going, and what's up with that package? It's for ME isn't it?"

Bodie's teeth gleamed in the sunlight, emphasizing his happiness. "Well, kinda. We're taking a little trip, and the package is a surprise."

Countless mile-markers blurred past the bus window before they reached their destination. It was an unfamiliar house, in quite a state of disrepair. Jodie swiveled her head nervously -hawking out the area- and began to question Bodie as they strolled up to the door.

"What is this place? Who lives here?"

"You'll see." Bodie rapped on the dilapidated door three times and stepped back -turning to Jodie.

"Remember all those years ago, you know, when I told you I would get even for you?"

Jodie trembled and latched onto his arm. "Y-e-s ... "

"Well, that day is 'finally' here!"

As the door opened Jodie saw her father -a cigar shoved to the corner of his mouth- and her mother looking over his shoulder. Stumbling back with fright, all the images of them abusing her came flooding back.

"Hello Mother. Hello Father." Bodie grinned devilishly at his flabbergasted parents, and slowly began unwrapping the long cylindrical package.

"A BAT!"

"Yeah Jode. And not just any old bat. It's the bat from our old house. The orphanage thought it belonged to me so they packed it up with my other stuff. But it's actually the one that belonged to y-o-u two, remember it?" Bodie pointed the bat at his parents, and took a couple ferocious practice swings in their direction.

Startled, both flinched with each swing.

"You know, there was a time when I would have taken this bat and beaten you both to a bloody pulp with it." Bodie swung again and feigned it being a home run -as he framed his eyes with his hand and watched it sail out of the park.

"Well is that what you're here to do, or are you just catching up on that 'show & tell' day you always bellyached about missing?" Jodie cringed at her mother's shrill voice.

"Oh, believe me. I've thought about doing it many times over the years. I've even considered which one of you I'd derive the most joy from pummeling first. Luckily for you -but more so for me- there are people in my life now who have taught me things you were incapable of teaching. People who have put me on a path to a better life. And I would gladly teach you about that path if you ever decide you'd like to learn about it. Though I highly doubt you ever will."

"Oh boo-hoo, nobody ever showed you anything, and that's why you suck. What a failure you are, couldn't even protect your sister. Now shut up, or get to swinging, slugger."

"Well Father, Mother. For my part I forgive you both for what you did -as I have finally eliminated the poison of hatred from my mind ."

Taking his sister's hand he gave it a little squeeze to bolster her resolve.

"Jodie however, may have other thoughts on the matter. And just because I have forgiven you, doesn't mean I won't bash your brains in for Jodie, if that's what she decides needs to happen."

Bodie whispered to Jodie. "It's your choice Sis."

Jodie gazed at her parents -her mind racing- an expression of disgust and hate on their faces. But in that moment a calmness and clarity came over her as she realized that they were the embodiment of the Four Noble Truths that Stu had taught her about. Dukkha, or the incapability of satisfying. Samudaya, which examines the origin of pain and dissatisfaction. Nirodha, which refers to the cessation of pain and suffering, and Magga, which is the path that leads to the cessation of suffering.

"Sis... you okay?"

"Yeah Bode. And I don't think I want to go on a picnic with them anytime soon, but I don't want you to cave their skulls in either. We're doing SO much better now. We've come too far and learned too much, and I don't want to mess that up. I like not having to worry about the hate."

Jodie paused. "You know, there is one thing though. Something just doesn't look quite right."

Confidently Jodie moved toward her parents until she was inches from her father's face. She stared into his bloodshot eyes -unafraid- and abruptly smashed his cigar and twisted the searing embers into his shrieking face.

"There -that's better!"

Limping back she threw her arms around Bodie's neck and exhaled a long sigh of contentment. And all she could do was hug him with all her might and cry on his shoulder.