Many years ago, the Dharma Masters in Seattle would regularly make soup for the poor. How did they do it? They would go to local market places and search through the trash bins for unwanted vegetables that were still edible. Most of the vegetables being thrown away were still good enough to eat, even if they were a little too bruised or ripe to be sold. .After collecting the vegetables, they would bring them back and cook pots of delicious hot soup to serve to the poor.

The Dharma Masters took on the act of searching through the garbage bins, both as a practice for working on their pride and ego, since they could easily be mistaken as a beggar or homeless person, and also as a regular reminder in not wasting resources. As such, all of the vegetables rescued from the garbage bins became nourishing meals for hundreds of hungry people.

This practice is a great way to work on dana (giving) since it involves giving to the poor while also cherishing the resources of the world. When I heard this, I realized that most of us, including myself, take for granted all of the resources available to us without thinking of the many people without food, clothing, or shelter. I hope this story can serve as an inspiration for us all to be mindful of our precious resources and to integrate the practice of dana into our lives. D|M

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