Jack Kerouac, “The Dharma Bums”
Pg. 129

“And you know I say funny but there’s just sumpthin so darn sensible about ‘em. Here I am killing myself drivin this rig back and forth from Ohio to L.A and I make more money then you ever had in your whole life as a hobo, but you’re the one who enjoys life and not only that but you do it without workin or a while lot of money. Now who’s smart you or me?”

Ray’s new friend, Beaudry, the truck driver is a great kind man. As he was on his way to Ohio he was going to drop Ray off in Tucson, where Ray cooked him a steak and they sat and chatted. Beaudry decided to take Ray all the way back to Ohio because he was so interested about Ray’s life style, he practically was a hobo but yet he seemed to be one of the happiest person he has met. There was Beaudry who had a house, wife, and children, made a good amount of money but he wasn’t happy because he had no freedom. There he was with this great family and house but he wasn’t able to see them because he was spending so much time working.

Pg. 132

“And I thought of Japhy as I stood there in the cold yard looking at her: Why is he so mad about white tiled sinks and “kitchen machinery” he calls it. People have good hearts whether or not they live like Dharma Bums. Compassion is the heart of Buddhism.”

Ray is on his way home from his long travels; he stops in his yard and takes a hard look at his surroundings. He notices his mother working in the kitchen with a worry looked upon her face wondering where her son was and why he had to hitchhike. Ray is excited to be coming home for Christmas, but doesn’t understand why Japhy doesn’t like the “kitchen machinery” or the facade of the house life Ray realizes that you don’t have to practice meditation or be a Dharma Bums to be a compassionate person who has a great heart, but that only matters on the type of person you are.