Page 15 - Applied Buddhism
P. 15

When water is available free
                                           or at very low rate, there
                                         would be rampant wastage
                                         by consumers, which would
         Human
                                          be against the principle of
         Rights                         conservation of water.  On the

                                          other hand, we are against
         to Water                       the over-profiteering of water


                                         to fulfill the greed of certain
                                                   quarters.





            Let me begin with a story.  During the time of the Buddha there
        lived two clans, the Sakyans and the Koliyans, along both sides of
        the river Rohini.  These two clans were related through marriage.
        They jointly put up a dam along the river to collect water for their
        agricultural  use.  Once, there was a drought and there was not
        enough water to be diverted to the farms on both sides of the river.
        Each clan wanted all the water for themselves.    Eventually they
        were prepared to go to war for the water.  When the armies from
        both sides gathered, the Buddha appeared at the scene.


            The Buddha asked the warring parties,  “Which is more
        valuable, water or blood?” Both agreed that blood is more valuable.
        The Buddha then admonished them, “why then are you prepared
        to lose something more valuable over something less valuable?”
        Eventually both sides agreed to drop their weapons and settle for an





 002  Applied Buddhism                                Applied Buddhism   003
   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20