Wiping with a dirty rag

Helping out with Spring Cleaning in temple and was wiping away the dust from the statutes of 33 forms of Guan Yin Bodhisattvas. The statutes were in pure white color but were covered with a layer of dust. Attempted to wipe away the dust but end up smearing more stains on it. Only after wiping for even more times, the stains were removed.

To reflected on our daily practices. We tend to see shortcomings of other people especially on their practices. Just like seeing the unsightly dust on the white statutes. While immersed in being critical on others we neglected on our own practices.

While we wipe the white statutes with a dirty rag, we end up dirtying it. When we are not mindful of our practices, our actions were just like the dirty rag. Then what constitutes the right action/advice?

1) Impermeance ( Anicca)
2) Suffering ( Dukkha)
3) Non-self (Anatta)

Simply, an action that is laced with ego, thinking it as absolute, non-changing and relies on forms/formlessness, only motivated by self-interest or inclinations, are what I think to be unwholesome actions or advice to other practitioners.

But impermeance, as stated by Buddha brings hope. The possibility of change and reason to better ourselves. By trying harder, we will manage to get rid of the stains. With right effort, we can cleanse our mind from the daily defilements.

Or maybe the stains we see on others were manifestation of our own stains ......