The Buddha and the Bamboo Acrobats

One day, the Buddha shared a story with his disciples about two acrobats—a master and his apprentice. The two performed balancing acts using a tall bamboo pole. The master would balance the pole on his head while the apprentice climbed to the top and performed tricks.

The master said to his apprentice, “You must watch me carefully and make sure I don’t fall, and I will do the same for you. If we protect each other, we will both be safe, and our performance will succeed.”

The apprentice, however, replied, “Master, I think it’s better if I focus on my own balance and tricks while you focus on your own balance and the pole. That way, we can both stay steady and succeed in our act.”

The Buddha then explained to his disciples, “Just as the apprentice wisely suggested, in life, you should first take care of yourself—your actions, thoughts, and mindfulness. By doing so, you create a foundation of balance and clarity, which allows you to help others effectively. When you practice self-awareness and self-care, you are better equipped to bring harmony to those around you.”

This story teaches the importance of self-care and mindfulness as a foundation for supporting and helping others. It reminds us that by cultivating inner balance, we can positively impact the world.