Four Types of Vessels

The Buddha compared people to four kinds of clay vessels.

One type of vessel has holes in the bottom.

We can pour in as much water as we like and it runs right out. When this type of person hears the Dharma (spiritual truth), it goes in one ear and out the other.

The second type of vessel has cracks.

Though we pour in the Dharma (spiritual truth), it seeps out slowly until the vessel is empty again.

The third vessel is full to the brim with stale water--views and opinions.

One can't pour anything new in, everything is already known.

The only useful vessel is the fourth, without holes or cracks and totally empty.

-Ayya Khema, "Be an Island"

photo taken from: Beautiful-Landscape.com
by the photographer Alain Briot

(for the most part i think i'm the third vessel - these are those moments when the Holy Spirit is faithfully nudging me
to keep my mouth shut and my mind open so that i may learn!
Where do you see yourself?)