Chandaka, a young monk, and his brother were the humble disciples of Sakyamuni Buddha. While his brother could easily memorise verses, Chandaka could hardly remember his guru’s teachings. Seeing Chandaka’s futile attempts at memorizing the verses, his brother once advised him to leave the monastery and return home. Chandaka took his advice and left the monastery with a heavy heart. On his way back home, Chandaka met the Buddha, who smiled at him and said, “Don’t worry. You don’t have to leave the monastery. Just stand outside the monastery with a rug and help the monks clean their feet.” Happy at the Buddha’s advice, Chandaka went back to the monastery and did what the Buddha had told him. As time passed, Chandaka realised that he was indeed doing charity and helping others. This made him feel very happy and at last, he too, became the Buddha’s disciple.
Moral: No one, who lightens the burden of another, is useless in this world.
