Once Prince Ajatashatru sent <br />Oil drums for lamps at night. <br />An old woman, who saw this <br />Wished to give oil for lamps. <br /> <br />But she was too poor to buy <br />Still she didn’t give up her try. <br />She cut off her long hair, <br />And for oil, she sold her hair.” <br /> <br />She gave that oil, with a lamp, <br />To Buddha for lighting up, <br />He received the oil cup <br />And used it for her lamp. <br /> <br />Her lamp lasted thro’ the night <br />And was spreading steady light. <br />The lamps, with the oil sent <br />By the prince, blew off by midnight. <br /> <br />Buddha said, “The woman <br />Was sincere in her intention. <br />While the royal prince <br />Exhibited his arrogance.” <br /> <br />“This is the difference <br />Found in their performance. <br />One who’s always humble <br />Shines in their life well.” <br /> <br />“In no way her small offer <br />Can be taken as inferior, <br />While the prince’s bulk offer <br />Cannot be taken as superior.” <br /> <br />“The sincerity, not the size, <br />The humility, not the price, <br />These values only count <br />To accept any asset.” <br /> <br />Buddha was a conqueror <br />Of the spiritual world, <br />And was a reformer <br />Of the material world.<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buddha-33-oil-lamp-of-the-poor/
