After finishing my morning walk, I was eating some bread in the shade. Suddenly, a man with a blank expression walked past me and headed toward the park.
I was watching absentmindedly… and as soon as he entered the park, he scattered a large amount of breadcrumbs on the ground with a "whoosh." Immediately, the pigeons around him gathered and swarmed over the bread… while he, expression unchanged, quietly walked away.
Honestly, I was shocked. "What just happened…?" He didn't watch the pigeons, didn't seem satisfied, he just left calmly. The scene stayed in my mind, making me think about it long after.
The Gap Between "Kindness" and Discernment
Seeing such a scene, I can't help but wonder about "good intentions." Wanting to help someone or feeling pity is natural. But few people think through the consequences of their actions on others before acting.
Here, I'd like to consider a bit of Buddhist "discernment" (funbetsu). Discernment is the wisdom to foresee the results of an action rather than simply following emotions.
- Feeding cats or pigeons increases their numbers
- Causes hygiene and droppings problems
- Annoys neighbors and park users
Keeping such results in mind while acting is important. Sometimes, choosing not to act is also a form of genuine compassion.
The Goodness of Ordinary People and the Gaze of Wisdom
Human kindness is not made purely of selfless intentions. It may mix with selfish comfort, self-satisfaction, or even a small desire for approval—our own defilements.
Yet, we don't need to reject that kindness. By accepting that we are ordinary beings full of defilements, we can consider how to more broadly and reliably reduce the suffering of others. Learning from Buddhist wisdom and human nature helps us reflect thoughtfully.
A Moment to Pause
When you notice something unusual, instead of just being surprised, try asking yourself, "What would I do in this situation?" You might find you can observe it more calmly than you expected.
Have you ever paused to notice small acts of kindness or everyday occurrences in your life? Those little moments of awareness can gently shape the way you think and act each day.
Even tiny realizations like these can soften your daily actions and thoughts, helping you approach life with a little more care and understanding.
Japanese version on note:
https://note.com/makijaku7676/n/nf9a42a310b66?sub_rt=share_pb
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