bowl of oil

bowl of oil

- Monks, imagine that a huge crowd has gathered on the outskirts of a crowded city: a skilled dancer appears in the square, singing wonderful songs and dances, and the whole city comes running to see her.

And so the ruler calls the man, hands him a bowl filled to the brim with vegetable oil, and says: "Carry this bowl across the entire square, through the crowd and dancers, to the other end of the city. And a warrior with a drawn sword will follow you. If you spill even one drop, he will immediately cut off your head on the spot."

What do you think, monks, will this man start looking at the dancer, will he listen to the music and look around, risking his own life?

Of course not, teacher. He will only look at the bowl of oil, without being distracted for a moment. "In the same way, monks, a practitioner must guard his mind: while the whole world around is noisy, arguing, chasing after spectacles and distracted by trifles, remain most alert to your inner state.

Buddha

😖 Mindfulness of Buddha