I got this story via email recently and it reminds me of the 3Rs, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Note that the last option is recylce. Most people think of recycling first, which seems to be the current fad, but our first thought should be "reduce". By reducing our usage to only neccessity and when neccessary, it would do a lot for Mother Earth by not digging more into her body for landfills.
When comes to the point of one has to use something new, which we could not "reduce" to being not using, then next step is "reuse". Why need to buy a new bag or new container when there are means to repair or use/modify another container.
Last resort, only when we can't reduce and/or reuse it, then the object should be sent for recycling. Many people do use the term recycle and reuse in the same context. Well the two words are very different. Recycle involves breaking down of the original component and to come up with a new product altogether. Reuse is when the component does not change. A piece of printed paper soaked, mashed up, bleach and comes out as recycled paper, paper all the same but not the same paper it was. A piece to paper reuse to as wrapper, origami, shreded into kitty litter..now that is reusing, just like the monk who wante the new robe. The cloth in the cycle was reuse over a cycle of different purpose to the very end.
An Elder Monk, one day, was on deep thought about the worldly activities and the ways of instilling goodness in human. The following is the text of conversation between him and his disciple.
One of the disciples approached him and said humbly
"Oh my teacher! While you are so much concerned about the world and others,
why don't you look into the welfare and needs of your own disciples also".
Elder Monk: OK.Tell me how I can help you?
Disciple: Master, "My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same.
Can I get a new one please?"
Elder Monk found the robe indeed was in a bad condition which needed replacement.
He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new robe to wear on.
The disciple thanked Elder Monk and retired to his room. Though he
met his disciple's requirement, Elder Monk was not all that contended on his
decision. He realized he missed out some point. A while after, he realized,
what he should have asked the disciple? He went to his disciple's place and
asked him "Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more?"
Disciple: Thank you my Master. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need
nothing more.
Elder Monk: Having got the new one, what did you do with your old attire?
Disciple: I am using it as my bedspread.
Elder Monk: Then.hope you have disposed off your bed spread.
Disciple: No.no.Master. I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain.
Elder Monk: What about your old curtain?
Disciple: Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen
Elder Monk: Oh.I see.Can you tell me what they did with the old cloth they
used in Kitchen?
Disciple: They are being used to wash the floor.
Elder Monk: Then, the old rug being used to wash the floor.????
Disciple: Master, since they were torn off so much, we could not find any
better use, but to use as a twig in the oil lamp, which is right now lit in
your study room..
Elder Monk smiled in contentment and left for his room.
Moral:
If not to this degree of utilization, can we at least attempt to find the
best use of all our resources at home and at office..??
It becomes imperative in the critical time of Recession...
No comments:
Post a Comment