A Hindu priest lived across the street from a prostitute. Each day as he proceeded for prayers and meditation he saw men moving in and out of her house. He was filled with disgust and loathing just imaging what went on within those four walls. He held her responsible for polluting the neighbourhood. He publicly cursed his luck for having the misfortune of seeing her so often and being in such proximity with one who led a dishonourable life. Each day the prostitute saw the priest go about his spiritual practices. She derived tremendous succour from the meditative chanting, incense-filled airand spartan life which he led, devoted to his religion and beliefs. She was filled with remorse at her existence which was doomed to a lifetime of misery. She felt hurt when the priest cursed her under his breath or when he said slanderous things about her, but she never held it against him. She studiously stayed out of his way, not wanting to ‘pollute’ his noble work. She sat behind a curtain and listened to the daily aarti.
The priest and the prostitute died on the same day and stood before God together. Much to his astonishment, the priest was condemned for his wickedness. Protesting, he said, "But my life has been one of purity. I have spent my days in prayer and meditation." God replied, "Yes, but while your body was engaged in holy acts your heart was consumed by vicious judgments and your soul was ravaged by lustful imagination." The prostitute, on the other hand, was commended for her purity. Surprised, she said, "I do not understand. All my life I have sold my body to any man who paid the price for it." God said, "Your life’s circumstances placed you in a whore house. You were born there and it was beyond your strength to escape, but while your body was performing unworthy acts, your heart was always pure
and forever fixed on contemplating the purity of the holy man’s prayers and meditation."
The priest and the prostitute died on the same day and stood before God together. Much to his astonishment, the priest was condemned for his wickedness. Protesting, he said, "But my life has been one of purity. I have spent my days in prayer and meditation." God replied, "Yes, but while your body was engaged in holy acts your heart was consumed by vicious judgments and your soul was ravaged by lustful imagination." The prostitute, on the other hand, was commended for her purity. Surprised, she said, "I do not understand. All my life I have sold my body to any man who paid the price for it." God said, "Your life’s circumstances placed you in a whore house. You were born there and it was beyond your strength to escape, but while your body was performing unworthy acts, your heart was always pure
and forever fixed on contemplating the purity of the holy man’s prayers and meditation."
