I Believed I Was No Less Than. . .
by Max Babi
Buddha, one day, was in deep thought about the worldly activities and the ways of instilling goodness in humans. The following is from a conversation between him and his disciple:
One of Buddha's disciples approached him and said humbly, "Oh my teacher! While you are so much concerned about the world and others, why don't you also look into the welfare and needs of your own disciples?"
Buddha: "Alright, tell me how I can help you?"
Disciple: "Master! My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. May I have a new one, please."
Buddha found the robe indeed was in a bad condition which needed replacement. He asked the store keeper to give the
disciple a new robe to wear. The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room.
Though he met his disciple's requirement, Buddha was not all that contended about his decision. He realized he may have
missed some point. After a while, he realized what he should have asked the disciple.
He went to his disciple's room and asked him, "Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more ?"
Disciple: "Thank you my Master. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more."
Buddha: "Having receiving the new one, what did you do with your old attire?"
Disciple: "I am using it as my bed spread."
Buddha: "Then. . . how have you disposed of your old bedspread?"
Disciple: " No, no, master. I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain."
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Buddha: "What about your old Curtain?"
Disciple: "It is being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen."
Buddha: "Oh.. I see.. Can you tell me what they did with the old cloth they used in Kitchen?"
Disciple: "It is being used to wash the floor."
Buddha: "Then, the old rag being used to wash the floor...?"
Disciple: "Master, since it was in shreds, we could not find any better use, but to use as a wick in the oil lamp,
which is right now lit in your study room..."
Buddha smiled with contentment and left for his room, his thoughts to become fable.
If not to this degree of utilization, can we at least attempt to find the best use of all our resources - at home and the office.
It becomes imperative in this critical time of Recession.
Words from Max Babi inspired by his Buddha story.
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