The Devil in the Sanctuary

I was dimly aware of the silence in the hall, the fragrance of incense, and the all-pervading sense of tranquillity as I walked toward the dimly lit waiting room. The entire atmosphere had such a calming effect on anyone who came in, I thought. Long windows, a carved ceiling, and walls adorned with paintings that retold the story of the Buddha.

When I had first come here, broken-hearted and almost