Category Archives: Anger

Sublime abidings

Posted on December 21, 2017 by

Mettā is a Pali word that doesn’t translate well into English. Some words/phrases that come close are: loving-kindness, loving friendliness, benevolence, radical acceptance, non-aversion. For our purposes, we can accept any or all of these meanings and we will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Causes and results, General, Sublime states | Leave a comment

Reviewing ourselves

Posted on October 7, 2017 by

In the monastic community, giving and accepting criticism of each others’ behavior is a standard part of the training. In lay life we tend not to welcome any indication that we or our views are not perfect. However, we rarely … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Causes and results, Dukkha, Friendships, Patience, Relationships, Speech | 4 Comments

How to change

Posted on September 22, 2017 by

There is a well-loved verse from the Buddha’s teaching. It can be found in the Dhammapada (#5) and also in MN 128. (translated by Gil Fronsdal) Hatred never ends through hatred. By non-hate alone does it end. This is an … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Causes and results, Compassion, Dhammapada, General, Relationships | 4 Comments

Conflict

Posted on September 7, 2017 by

Since communities, whether large or small, are composed of human beings, they are inevitably exposed to tensions caused by human frailties. The innate propensity for self-aggrandizement, craving for personal benefits, self-righteousness, and attachment to personal opinions can lead to factionalism … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, General, Patience, Relationships | 2 Comments

An anger-eating demon

Posted on April 29, 2017 by

There is a curious sutta in which an unnamed, deformed demon challenges the followers of Sakka, the ruler of the devas, by brazenly taking Sakka’s seat. As Sakka’s subjects revile the demon, he becomes visibly less ugly and more attractive. How … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Causes and results, Mindfulness, Patience | 1 Comment

Not my anger

Posted on April 24, 2017 by

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel Sanctuary. The brahmin Akkosaka Bhāradvāja, Bhāradvāja the Abusive, heard: “It is said that another brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan has gone forth from the household life … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Harmlessness, Mindfulness, Patience, Perfections, Speech | 2 Comments

Patience with others’ anger

Posted on April 19, 2017 by

There’s a story in the Pali canon about a battle between the devas (heavenly beings) and the titans (lower-ranking demi-gods) and how the victor treats the vanquished leader. [The full sutta is here: https://suttacentral.net/en/sn11.4.] Here’s an excerpt in Bhikkhu Bodhi’s translation: … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Mindfulness, Patience, Perfections | Leave a comment