Holden,
Thank you for your comments. I think you have many historical anecdotes from India. I think a collected works of your posts could be published from the board.
Every time I write in this board, I consider it my last post because as we say in Spanish tomorrow is another day. I could be removed by the Chinese bug, dengue, a motorbike, a car, a stray bullet, or a knife. Even wearing face masks, muzzles, really, could kill you because they are very toxic also you are forbidden to laugh. Laughter is dangerous. Earth is a killing field.
Yes, life is sad and bitter for all sentient beings. I am also resigned and sad. Your story in medieval Japan reminds me of a Peruvian author, José María Arguedas, who wrote a short story called in Spanish “El sueño del pongo”, the dream of the pongo.
The pongo in Peru was the lowest of the servants, servant of the servant. He was the servant in an hacienda, a sort of cattle ranch in Peru. One day the pongo tells his patron, or boss that he had a dream. In his dream both of them died and went to heaven. There, God sent his angels to cover the pongo with manure until it covers all his skin. On the other hand, the rich man was completely bathed in milk by the angels. The boss was very happy to hear the pongo´s dream. It seemed fair to him and he believes that is what God will do. He encourages to continue with the dream and then asks the pongo: and what happens next? The pongo answers: When God saw the two of them covered in manure and honey, he tells them: now lick each other all the body mutually, one another until they are completely clean. This must be divine justice, the place where everything is upside down where the defeated becomes the conqueror.
Stay safe.