Monastery of the Standing Stone
The serene Monastery of the Standing Stone lies nestled within a valley surrounded by foothills. Master Kala of the Yellow Robe is the master of this domain and leads the brothers and sisters under his tutelage toward the path of enlightenment and oneness with the universe. She teaches her pupils honor and duty are the ultimate expressions of a living creature, while suppressing their emotions. One’s achievements are not measured by the outcome of their actions, but by their faithfulness to the preceding tenets. Through meditation, the monk communes with the inner being, placing integrity and obligation above personal satisfaction.
The monastery’s pastoral setting encourages such introspection. Its décor and accommodations represent an exercise in simplicity, from its dirt-floored dojo where Kala and her fellow monks train, to the caves housing the remains of deceased monks and honored ancestors. The monastery derives its name from the perfectly-aligned standing stone in the midst of a grove surrounded by foothills. A small garden planted around the stone enhances the locale’s serenity. Visitors who make their way to the monastery receive an aloof yet respectful reception from Kala and the resident monks. A pervasive myth in the region claims the stone has a special connection to the divine forces that created the neighboring Stoneheart Mountains. The exact nature of this link remains unknown, but its precise alignment to the surrounding foothills and trees lends a modicum of credence to this popular belief.
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