THE TRUE PRACTICE OF COMPASSION
Master Jun Hong Lu: We must be devoted to the welfare of others.
Once, there was a traditional Chinese doctor, who would prepare a pocket-size hot water bag during winter. Every time his hands turned cold, he would immediately replace the water in the bag with boiling water.
During every medical consultation, without fail, he would put his hands in his pocket to draw some warmth from the hot water bag.
Upon seeing this, his fellow doctors asked, “Are you afraid of the cold?”.
He replied, “No. I am not afraid of the cold. I just don’t want my patients to feel the cold. I hope they are able to feel my warm hands every time I examine their pulse.”
This doctor also demonstrated the same behaviour at home.
Once, he accidentally broke a flower vase. After sweeping up the entire floor of broken glass pieces, he carefully wrapped them up in a bag and sealed it with an adhesive tape before writing on it, “Caution: Broken glass.”
This piqued the interest of his fellow colleagues who then probed, “This is such a small matter, is it necessary for you to show such level of care?”
The doctor responded, “I always see the garbage collectors rummaging through the rubbish. I’m concerned that they may get themselves cut.”
This is what compassion looks like!
Joy will permeate the lives of those who have the well being of others in their hearts; misery belongs to those who only have their self-interests in mind.
I sincerely hope that everyone of you will live your life for sentient beings; feel their pain and suffering as your very own, as only then, are you able to truly practise the compassion of the Bodhisattva.
Source: Master Jun Hong Lu’s Public Talk, New York, USA, 8 May 2015
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