I ask not for caste but for water.

Excerpt

Ānanda, the favorite disciple of the Buddha, having been sent by the Lord on a mission, passed by a well near a village, and seeing Pakati, a girl of the Mātanga caste, he asked her for water to drink. Pakati said: "O Brahman, I am too humble and mean to give thee water to drink, do not ask any service of me lest thy holiness be contaminated, for I am of low caste." And Ānanda replied: "I ask not for caste but for water;" and the Mātanga girl's heart leaped joyfully and she gave Ānanda to drink.

Source The Gospel of Buddha, LXXVI, §1 · 📖 Read the full passage

✨ To meditate on today

According to the Gospel of Buddha, Ānanda, a disciple of the Buddha, asks for water from Pakati, a girl of low caste who believes she is unworthy to serve him; he answers that he does not look at her station, and this simple word fills her heart with joy. Today, speak to someone who is rarely noticed (a cleaner, a cashier, an isolated neighbour) with the same respect you would give anyone, and thank them sincerely.

Receive a lesson of this teaching every day by email or Telegram