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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