The Toilet and the Lesson of Comfort

Last year, during Vesak, Giac Tanh Pagoda held a grand celebration. Lanterns and flowers adorned every corner, glowing brilliantly. Thousands of devotees gathered from far and wide, their elbows touching in the dense crowd.

Among them was Lan, a wealthy Buddhist who lived in a luxurious villa by the river. She wore soft silk and carried an expensive designer bag, yet her eyes remained fixed on the row of portable toilets lining the path.

"Why are there so many restrooms?" Lan whispered, her face wrinkling with displeasure.

Her companion laughed gently. "Why aren't you coming into the temple today? Many people hope to see you."

Lan shook her head, her voice sharp with irritation. "Please understand, Master. I cannot share a toilet with anyone else." With that, she turned on her heel and hurried back to her car.

News of Lan’s refusal spread quickly among the devotees. When Venerable Tu Tri heard it, he sat in silence for a long time. He was not angry, but Lan’s words kept him thinking through the entire night.

"What should we do?" The teacher sat alone in his room, the oil lamp flickering dimly. "We cannot provide a private toilet for each person. Our temple hosts tens of thousands during major festivals. How can we possibly have enough facilities?"

The next morning, he called a meeting with the monastic community. "From now on," he instructed, "every toilet must be as clean as new. There must be no bad odor. We must scrub them frequently and keep them fragrant."

A junior monk asked hesitantly, "Master, our temple has nearly five hundred residents. During big festivals, we are overwhelmed. How can we keep everything spotless?"

The teacher replied calmly, "Our temple has more than three hundred toilets. We must ensure they are always clean and fresh. Those who use them must feel at ease."

One month later, the next great festival arrived. Lan returned this time, surprised to find the toilets sparkling clean and pleasantly scented, free of any unpleasant smell. As she stepped out, she met Venerable Tu Tri standing nearby.

"Master," Lan said, her voice softening, "how are the toilets so clean?"

The teacher smiled warmly. "Because I want you to feel comfortable. When visiting the temple, the first thing needed is good food, and the second is a clean restroom. These two things are very important."

Lan bowed her head, realizing that comfort in the temple is not just about food or space, but also about the most basic needs—such as a clean bathroom.

The Meaning of the Story

This story illustrates that to attract people to practice Dharma, we must first create a comfortable environment starting with the basics: delicious food, clean restrooms, and pleasant spaces. When people feel at ease, they will want to return, and only then can they truly begin their spiritual journey. This lesson applies to all areas of life: if you wish for others to stay connected, pay attention to their most essential needs, even those that seem trivial. Comfort is the foundation for building lasting relationships, whether in family, work, or community.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang