048-Buddha and the anger - Buddhism in daily life

Once when Buddha was with his followers in the park, a disciple
asked, "Lord, how can we control anger?"


Buddha answered with a story. He said, "Whoever hears this tale
will have his anger under control, will no longer lose control."


You wanderers hear, "Long ago, a quarrelsome woman lived in a
village. Even over trifles she became terribly angry; in her
anger she cursed under her breath, used all sorts of insults.
Then when the anger went back she was very sorry for everything,
she couldn't explain the outbursts."


"Her family was very sad about her behavior, the whole atmosphere
in the house was like poisoned, something had to change."


"One day a monk came to her house, asked for alms. The woman gave
plenty, then lamented her sorrow to the man, told of her mood
swings, told that she would quickly become very angry, but would
always regret afterwards that she could not control herself."


The monk replied, "Woman, I have here a small bottle of medicine,
just the thing for you. This is a medicine for anger, you are
lucky that I have this very bottle with me. When you get angry
again, you must take three drops of the medicine on your tongue,
and then keep it in your mouth for five minutes. You must not
open your mouth or the medicine will not work." The monk left the
incredulous looking woman.


As the woman spoke a smile slid across his face, he replied to
her, "It wasn't the medicine that worked, it was that you kept
your cool that made the difference. It wasn't a drug at all,
there was only water in the vial. You were able to calm your
anger not because of the medicine, but because you stayed calm."


The Teacher of all Teachers went on to explain that anger can
only be controlled by staying calm, because angry people
sometimes speak bad words that poison the environment. The only
cure for anger is silence."


And the journey is the destination!





He who crudely maltreats innocence


and oppresses defenseless prey


will contract a condition


of tenfold suffering:


Severe pains, bad infirmity, madness, poor disease plagues, and
mutilation of the body, heavily burdening suing.


Calamity emanating from the ruler,


destruction of wife and children,


money and property and treasures will


will be lost to him, will be diminished to him.


Or severe fires


will bring house and farm to shame.


And the fool will after death


in the hell worlds after death


- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before
the year zero





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