The Once and Future Buddha: Our new friend Chathu decided to take us to the standing Buddhas in the forest of Maligawila, a short ride from the township of Monaragala where we were staying. She said we'd leave at 3:30, which was a good idea because the day was still very hot even then. Many pilgrims, some quite elderly, were coming and going on the forest road, and there were large black monkeys scampering about and jumping and swinging through the trees. When we got to the first statue Chathu explained that it was the 28th Buddha, the most recent one to live on earth. We squinted at the immense figure in the direction of the sinking sun, and then--removing our shoes of course-- we walked all around the base of it, marvelling at the size
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