I never look at human beings as the president or king or prime minister or beggar. In my eyes, all are the same. So whenever I meet these people I say, "Look at them, they are just other human beings...our brothers and sisters." So this also creates more peace in my mind.
-Dalai Lama
Note: My kids gave me a Dalai Lama Insight calendar for Christmas (seems a little ironic doesn't it? A Buddhist calendar for a Christian holiday gift...lol..They actually see me better than I thought they did: someone integrating faiths. Of course, a Christian may deny that I was one of them because I love and express Buddhist philosophy and a Buddhist may say that I wasn't one of them either because I speak of God and a Creator. I don't label myself anymore because I do not feel I need to be "one of any them". :)) Anyway...what I am trying to say is that you may see a lot of Dalai Lama quotes because I read one a day. In all fairness...does it really matter if these beautiful words come from the leader of Buddhism? Would you not like to hear the Pope saying the very same thing? It is not the religion, not the scripture and not the messenger that matters...it is the message! And the message only points to something deeper. I think it is important that we remember that.
Anyway....I heard this story that applies to the message above.
Kings or Beggars
Years ago a high ranking and 'famous' government official was scheduled to visit a monastery. (I will not tell you where or what kind of monastery...so we eliminate any religious bias. :)) . The Abbot of the monastery was loved by his monks for being a faithful humble man that was free of all worldly ego. He treated all human beings and all living things with the utmost respect and care, favoring no one or nothing above the other.
On the day of the scheduled visit, the monastery was swept and cleaned and prepared as it would be for any visitor, be they kings or be they beggars.
The monks were instructed to prepare themselves, to dress in the same garments they would wear for any visitor...be they kings or be they beggars.
As the big limousine with its escort vehicles pulled up in front of the monastery doors, the whole assembly stood in welcome as they would for any visitor, be they kings or be they beggars.
The government official was welcomed with the same bow of the head, the same peaceful smile, and the same handshake that the Abbot would customarily offer any visitor, be they kings or be they beggars.
He was showed around the monastery and offered the same humble food and drink as any one would be offered, be they kings or be they beggars.
And when it was time for the visit to be over, the Abbot and his monks kindly escorted the government official and his team, including the press with its noisy flashing bulbs, out the doors with the same kindness and respect they would offer any visitor, be they kings or be they beggars.
Nothing about the Abbot seemed to change.
A few minutes after the visit had ended, however, the kindly old Abbot called all his monks to the meeting room. With tears in his eyes he announced that he could no longer be their Abbot and that he would have to leave the monastery to recluse himself in prayer. The monks, stunned by the announcement, asked "Why? How could such a humble, faithful man as yourself feel you could not lead us?"
The monk answered, "When I shook the official's hand while the press was taking pictures, I noticed my own was sweaty. It does not sweat when I shake a beggar's hand."
Moral of this story: Do not let titles, fame, ideas of importance get in the way of seeing what a person really is..."just another human being'. Don't let any false notions of importance ...ours or someone else's... obscure our peace of mind.
All is well.
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