The Ponhisattva (Update) · 4:55pm Oct 19th, 2017
Amituofo everypony,
Will I ever actually get to writing this story, The Ponhisattva? Don't know, but that is what I thought about Of Hooves & Wings. So far, however, I'm just collecting ideas, things I just want to incorporate into the story. It seems so unappealing to have all these ideas but no story, but the same goes with not being able to tell anyone about it. With this sense of stagnation, I'm urged to share what I want to happen in The Ponhisattva. Maybe someone will respond and offer suggestions, or merely see what I want to do and offer words of encouragement. Or something will happen, I don't know, but I don't want to stew in my mind forever.
Anyway: Cutie Mark Map calls Mane Six all together, Fluttershy in particular, to some place in the Far East, leaving the "Known World," as it were. I may want Fluttershy to first, however, start having these nightmares, for which even Zecorah has no immediate solution. Also, this may be hard on some, but I think I definitely want Granny Smith to pass on (yes, die), placing especially Applejack in the wondering of Life&Death. That will be an important theme in this story. Anyhow, when the Cutie Mark Map then directs the girls to this unknown land, they will bypass the terrain by ship, in sort of the same manner as Bodhidharma's travel from India to China. There'll be a twist, however, as the girls will be tossed by the seas and get shipwrecked, left unconscious on shores.
That will be when they are discovered by this "nun," who for now I'm dubbing Karuna (Compassion/Mercy), who will also play important roles. She'll look somewhat like Rarity, only bald (`cause, you know, nun). She will have her own struggles with in the Sangha, which she'll endure with her chin up. Her struggle will be gender-based, a problem of mixed opinions if you study Buddhist culture. She's taught to deal with this conflict by her master, the Dalai Llama (yes he's a llama), who never does anything about it himself (for a very special reason). Other minor problems will be solved along the way, but Karuna's is the main minor problem.
But now I'm still needing a BIGGER issue/conflict. I'm desire something epic, maybe a Sombra type situation, rebuilding his reign in the East after failing in the Crystal Empire. Maybe I can pull from the China/Tibet controversy, still not sure though. I also want to parallel him to the Buddhist adversary Mara (Doctor Who will help me there). This conflict, whatever it is, must be overcome by Fluttershy predominantly, as she will find out (somehow...agh so hard to work with!) that SHE is in fact the Ponhisattva (Bodhisattva) Equen Shi (Guan Shi Yin Pusa), whose given significance in this strange land. It was this Ponhisattva, actually, who originally planted the Tree of Harmony in forgotten times, as Pre-canon Discord learned, leading him to Equestria.
The question I have now is whether the five other mares are also Equen Shi, or should I reserve this position solely for Fluttershy. Maybe I'll make it a mystery never answered (neat!). Also I wonder if I want Rarity to find love in the East, someone maybe of the Warrior Caste, who losses his life in some battle. Again, Life & Death will be a theme in the story, so something for me to think about. Speaking of which, I didn't have this in mind originally, but drawing from the movie Little Buddha, I want the Dalai Llama to also pass on. This will be near the end, as he takes his final meditation, and die therein (just of old age). This would be hard on Sister Karuna, "Nothing lasts forever," she reasons, when Fluttershy (now realized Ponhisattva) consoles, "But you know what does last forever? Nothing," in reference to Sunyata and Nirvana.
To readers (if any), sorry for my scattered and disorganized writing, but before the Dalai Llama passes during meditation, he will hear that his mother passed away. Applejack eavesdrops (this is more in the middle of the story), then has a one on one conversation with the Dalai Llama (in relation to Granny Smith). Applejack will understand and point out too how he wants to make his mother proud, how he stays strong for her. He'll then abruptly leave, alarming Applejack, "Hold on there Dalai! I didn't mean to... consarnit AJ! Why do you have to be the element of honesty, huh?"
A new Dalai Llama must then succeed, but in a manner different than before. The Oracle (any connection to Zecora?) announces that will be Fluttershy's choice. To be the successor? Oh no, she will be the one to choose who succeeds. However that works, ultimately be Sister Karuna, showing up the monks who looked down on her in times past.
For the ending, I'm thinking of a Zen Proverb: Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water, after enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. So when Mane Six return to Equestria and live their lives rather the same, though more elegantly. Not to say that they all experienced enlightenment, but the adventure will change them in ways. Even Twilight, who's been most skeptical throughout the whole adventure, will reconsider her worldview. Oh, but before they leave the East and go home, a family will ask Fluttershy to bless their new born foal (filly?), whom she'll recognize deep down and show Applejack. She too will recognize the foal (filly?) It's Granny!
(Ran out of time and must head to work now, I'll continue this later)
(7:00pm now)
Anyway, on the drive to work this morning, I also pondered Twilight In the end writing a letter (or having Spike right as usual). It will be another friendship report, what she hadn't done in a while (having graduated as princess). It will work all the letter from Cutie Mark Chronicles, but goes deeper still, speculating on friends not only sharing a connection before they met, but may share a connection in lives past. Friendship is a powerful thing, Twilight will point out, something which could live on even after death...I don't know but I want it to be moving. Twilight will also hug Spike, despite his protests. He'll sigh and continue the letter saying dully: "PS, It's Spike, Twilight's smothering me again, send for reinforcements."
Nice update, I like it
You have a good ideas, I think you have a potential. When would you like to make it like a whole fic?
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Hate to admit it, but I don't know when I can start a rough draft. The first thing I actually need is a definite central conflict. I'm still leaning towards banishment of the Sangha and others from their homeland to the North, but do I want to use a revived Sombra? Then I'm requiring time/energy to construct an outline. The biggest deal though is Fluttershy, and how she is the Ponhisattva to bring resolution to the story. At first I wanted this connection to be realized in the beginning, but decided that Fluttershy discovers this for herself later on. Those are my major stumbling blocks, and if I had as much free time as this earlier Summer, I could work through them.
4741468
I don't know what I was thinking when I was asking for help or what kind of help I was seeking, but perhaps I've bitten off more than I can chew.