PARABLE OF the BUCKET BRIGADE
-Author Unknown.
Once upon a time, when the village had thatched roofs and no fire
prevention system, a fire broke out on one of the roofs.
The people saw the fire and immediately formed a bucket brigade
stretching from the central well to the fire. Through quick and
concerted effort the fire was put out and the whole village saved.
People in the town were immensely grateful, and as a result some
founded the Bucket Brigade Society which took to practicing
faithfully every week.
Soon the Brigade developed a hierarchy. The chief bucketeer
became very influential, in many ways more important than the
mayor. All the best people belonged to the Brigade and to be a
member meant to gain status in the community.
The society wrote songs to be sung during their practices, and
created elaborate and beautiful methods of passing the buckets.
Even after the village had been covered over and a fire department
formed, the Brigade continued.
Then one day, a young recruit happened to look down into the
bucket she was passing: But there´s no water in the bucket, she
observed with surprise.
After that, the young began drifting away, no longer especially
interested in the Brigade at all.
That is the trouble with ego religion.
It retains the tradition but loses the substance.
And the substance is faith in the heavenly mystery.
Ego religion has it´s rewards.
It elevates you above your neighbors,
assures you that you are right and virtuous,
and makes you happy that you are not "one of those."
Now if you don't think these exist I suggest taking time to visit a few churches in your community. Look close, it may be your own.
