This teaching recounts a powerful story from the life of the Buddha that reveals the importance of compassion and care within the Buddhist community. When the Buddha encountered a monk who had been neglected while suffering from illness, he personally cared for the monk and reminded the community of their responsibility toward one another.
Through this story, the Buddha taught that caring for the sick is an essential part of spiritual practice. He emphasized that those who wish to serve the Buddha should serve those who are in need, especially those who are ill and vulnerable.
This inspiring lesson highlights the values of kindness, compassion, and mutual support that lie at the heart of Buddhist teachings. It reminds us that spiritual practice is not only about meditation and wisdom, but also about caring for others with genuine compassion.
One day, the Buddha visited a certain monastery and while he was walking around, he heard
someone is moaning and screaming in pain.
So the Buddha went to the room where the sound was coming from and he saw a monk lying on
the bed covered with blood and pus all over his body and he was suffering with a terrible
skin disease.
So the Buddha called all other monks and told them to prepare some hot water and to arrange
a bed outside.
Out of compassion, the Buddha took this sick monk outside and he laid him down on the bed.
The Buddha gave him a bath and he washed all the robes and he cleaned his wound and applied
medicine.
After all these treatments, the monk felt so much comfortable.
And after this incident, the Buddha addressed all the monks and said,
Dear monks, you need to help when someone is sick.
You need to treat when someone is physically down.
And the Buddha said, this body is not going to last forever.
Once the consciousness is released from this body, this body becomes useless like a rotten
piece of wood.
So the Buddha said, while you are alive, you need to help each other.
You need to treat when someone is physically and mentally down.
And the Buddha said, if someone treats sick people, it is like they are treating to the
Buddha.
Dear ladies and gentlemen, we are not going to last forever on this earth.
And that is why we need to help each other.
We need to care for each other.
Just remember, this whole world is filled with rude, negative and selfish people.
And that is why we need, this world needs, this society needs kind, generous and soft
hearted people like you.
May all the beings be well and happy.
Namo Buddhaya.
