N: Looking at your veins, are you sure you want to go through the blood donation? Because I’m quite sure it will be bruised later. It’s not like blood drew for blood test, this needle is much broader.
Z: Yes, it’s okay.
N: Normally, I would reject candidates like you, because we have experience some with such veins, which collapse halfway and can’t continue with the transfusion. It’s a pity if the bag can’t be filled.
Z: I understand, but would like to try.
N: Okay then…
The donation went okay and there was no bruise later. Yup, and the pain is minimal too. The blood we had shed in our past lives for unworthy reasons is already too much. It’s time to share some to help save lives now! The blood shed could cover every inch of the depths of the ocean. What’s a packet of it to compare? Below is a passage from the suttas, about how much blood we had shed.
“Bhikkhus (monks, as addressed by the Buddha), this saṃsāra is without discoverable beginning. A first point is not discerned of beings roaming and wandering on hindered by ignorance and fettered by craving. What do you think, bhikkhus, which is more: the stream of blood that you have shed when you were beheaded as you roamed and wandered on through this long course—this or the water in the four great oceans?”
“As we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One (the Buddha), venerable sir, the stream of blood that we have shed when our heads were cut off as we roamed and wandered on through this long course—this alone is more than the water in the four great oceans.”
“Good, good, bhikkhus! It is good that you understand the Dhamma taught by me in such a way. The stream of blood that you have shed as you roamed and wandered on through this long course—this alone is more than the water in the four great oceans. For a long time, bhikkhus, you have been cows, and when as cows you were beheaded, the stream of blood that you shed is greater than the waters in the four great oceans. For a long time you have been buffalo, sheep, goats, deer, chickens, and pigs…. For a long time you have been arrested as burglars, highwaymen, and adulterers, and when you were beheaded, the stream of blood that you shed is greater than the water in the four great oceans. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, this saṃsāra is without discoverable beginning…. It is enough to be liberated from them.”
This is what the Blessed One said. Elated, those bhikkhus delighted in the Blessed One’s statement. And while this exposition was being spoken, the minds of the thirty bhikkhus from Pāvā were liberated from the taints by nonclinging.
- Anamataggasamyutta
