Think Over…!

To support my all-time favorite philosophy of ‘Maximum Utilization of Available Resources’ that I preach every time today let’s read another story of Buddha. Although stories like this are profound and timeless these are more significant and relevant in today’s uncertain and turbulent times than any other day.

Buddha one day was on deep thought about the worldly activities and the ways of instilling goodness in human. The following is the text of conversation between him and his disciple.

One of his disciples approached him and said humbly “Oh my teacher! While you are so much concerned about the world and other, why don’t look in to the welfare and needs of your own disciples also.”

Buddha: “Ok... Tell me how I can help you”

Disciple: “Master! My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. Can I get 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 on. The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room. Though he met his disciple’s requirement, Buddha was not all that contended on his decision. He realized he missed out some point. A while after, he realized what he should have asked the disciple, He went to his disciple’s place and asked him “Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more?”

Disciple: “Thank you my Maser. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more”
Buddha: “Having got the new one, what did you did with your old attire?”
Disciple: “I am using it as my bed spread”
Buddha: “Then... hope you have disposed off your old bed spread”
Disciple: “No... no... Master, I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain”
Buddha: “What about your old curtain?”
Disciple: “Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen”
Buddha: “Oh... I see... Can you tell me want did they do with the old cloth they used in kitchen”
Disciple: “They are being used to wash the floor.”
Buddha: “Then, the old rug being using to wash the floor…?!?”
Disciple: “Master, since they were torn off so much, we could not find any better use, but to use as a Twig in the oil lamp, which is right now lit in your study room…”
Buddha smiled in contentment and left for his room.

If not to this degree of utilization, can we at least attempt to find the best use of all our resources – at home and at office…? It becomes imperative in the critical times of Recession…!

Treat the earth well….it was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children. We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrowed it from our children.