During the time of the Buddha, a wealthy king gave 500 new robes to the monks. The cost was nothing to him yet he was attached to his wealth, so he questioned Ananda, the private secretary of the Buddha, "I have given 500 new robes to the Sangha, what will you do with them?"
Ananda replied, "I will keep them in storage."
"Why?"
"Only when I find that a monk's robes are worn out I will give him one of these new robes. This is how we use the donations we receive."
"And what will you do with the old, torn robes?" asked the king.
"From the worn robes I cut out some portions and make bed sheets."
"Good. But when these bed covers are worn out, what do you do?"
"Again I cut out pieces, and make towels", replied Ananda.
"Good! But when these towels wear out, what do you do then with the cloth?"
"I cut out small pieces and make small hand towels."
"These will also wear out; then what will you do?"
"I will take small pieces, join them, and make some washing rags for those who arrive with muddy feet."
"Wonderful! When those also wear out what will you do?"
"I beat them, pulp them, and make something useful from the pulp."
"Wonderful!"
Ananda replied, "I will keep them in storage."
"Why?"
"Only when I find that a monk's robes are worn out I will give him one of these new robes. This is how we use the donations we receive."
"And what will you do with the old, torn robes?" asked the king.
"From the worn robes I cut out some portions and make bed sheets."
"Good. But when these bed covers are worn out, what do you do?"
"Again I cut out pieces, and make towels", replied Ananda.
"Good! But when these towels wear out, what do you do then with the cloth?"
"I cut out small pieces and make small hand towels."
"These will also wear out; then what will you do?"
"I will take small pieces, join them, and make some washing rags for those who arrive with muddy feet."
"Wonderful! When those also wear out what will you do?"
"I beat them, pulp them, and make something useful from the pulp."
"Wonderful!"
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