Buddha Quote
Saturday March 14, 2026
Dirty JobI was at a public toilet bowl, about to urinate, when I saw this
small winged insect on the surface of the water, fluttering
helplessly, drowning. In a split-second, in my mind, arose the
question of whether to save it or not. There was nothing to use
scoop it out-and I didn't want to get my hands dirty. In another
split-second, I felt an instant sense of shame at my lack of
Compassion-I could simply wash my hands later! Despite
mindfulness of this sense of shame, I still looked around
frantically for something to use other than my hand. In another
split-second, I realised the insect was dying by the
split-second. It was desperate for something as valuable as its
life while I was shamelessly desperate for something as
unnecessary as "convenience." I turned around and saw a toilet
roll hanging on the door. I immediately tore some paper off and
used it to scoop the insect out in one scoop. There was relief.
But there must have been much more for it than me! And I was
ashamed by my own selfishness.
True Compassion would usually
mean "getting our hands truly dirty." Precisely because True
Compassion in action is such a "dirty job" is it so beautiful
when practised! Never hesitate to be compassionate-only keeps it
in check with Wisdom.
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