Your Own Footprints

There once was a student at the temple who was very active on environmental issues. He worked hard on projects that disturbed him such as acid rain and global warming. He rallied against companies that polluted the water. He made sure that all recyclable items around the temple were dealt with properly. He chastised other students who did not share his concern. One day he asked Master Li, “Master, what is the best way we as concerned human beings can help the earth?” Master Li responded, “By all of us getting off of it! By the way, you left muddy footprints going into the zendo last night. How can you save the world if you are leaving muddy footprints in the zendo?"