The true definition of rich and poor

Seeker: Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavir were very kind-hearted. But, as a matter of fact, we have never heard that they built hospitals, schools, colleges, etc. for the poor like Mother Teresa, Maa Amritanandmayi or Shankaracharya have done.
Sirshree: First of all, understand the meaning of ‘kind-hearted’ and ‘poor’. You will work for those whom you regard as poor. Who were poor according to the Buddha? The Buddha did not consider those who do not have money as poor. For the Buddha, those who have forgotten their original nature, their true inner identity, were poor. He worked for such people. When you understand the real meaning of ‘poor’, then you will do something for the truly poor. What is the point if one becomes wealthy but internally the state of the mind is still the same – filled with ego. What is the person having political power thinking? There is hatred and jealousy inside him. What will you call such a person? Is he rich or poor? Such people are very poor in the eyes of the Buddha. He felt something should be done for them. Thus Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha also worked for the poor – whom they considered to be poor. People of today are working for those whom they consider to be poor. When you understand the truth, you will understand the definition of ‘poor’.