The Buddha and the Sick Monk

A monk named Putigatta Tissa fell severely ill. His body erupted in boils that grew into weeping ulcers. As the disease progressed, his bones began to rot, and his clothes stuck to his festering skin. The smell was so horrific that his fellow monks, disgusted and unable to handle the stench, completely abandoned him.

Tissa lay alone in his soiled robes, helpless and waiting to die. The Buddha, with his divine eye, saw Tissa's suffering and realized that the monk's mind was ripe for enlightenment, provided his body was made comfortable.

The Buddha went to the fire-house, boiled some water, and carried it to Tissa's room. Seeing the Buddha, the other monks felt ashamed and rushed to help, but the Buddha told them to stand aside.

With his own hands, the Buddha gently washed Tissa's rotting, foul-smelling body with warm water. He washed and dried the monk's soiled robes. Cared for by the Blessed One himself, Tissa felt immense physical relief and overwhelming gratitude.

The Buddha then turned to the ashamed monks and said, 'Monks, you have no mother or father to care for you. If you do not care for one another, who will? Whoever would tend to me, let him tend to the sick.'

The Buddha then gave a short discourse on the impermanence of the body to Tissa. With his mind calm and focused, Tissa attained Arahantship (enlightenment) and peacefully passed away soon after.