Chapter 17
Anger
- 1 Global #221Let one give up anger, renounce conceit, (and) overcome all fetters. Suffering does not befall him who is unattached to name-and-form (nāmarūpa: i.e., psychophysical existence), (and) who is without (material or mental) possessions (akiñcana).
- 2 Global #222I call him a charioteer who holds back the arisen anger as though (holding back) a swerving chariot. Others are only holders of reins.
- 3 Global #223Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked with good. Overcome the miserly by giving, the teller of lies with truth.
- 4 Global #224Speak the truth; do not get angry; give your mite to those who ask (for alms). On these three grounds one goes into the presence of the gods.
- 5 Global #225Those silent sages who are harmless (ahiṃsaka-s) and always (self-)controlled go to the Immoveable Abode, whither having gone they do not grieve.
- 6 Global #226They come to the end of (their) defilements (āsava-s), those who keep awake, who study day and night, (and) who are intent on Nirvāṇa.
- 7 Global #227This is an old story, Atula,12 not just one of today. They blame him who is taciturn; they blame him who is talkative; they even blame him who speaks in moderation. There is no one in the world who is not blamed.
- 8 Global #228There has not been, nor will there be, nor is there anyone now, who is absolutely blamed or absolutely praised.
- 9 Global #229Who is entitled to blame that man who is like (a coin of) Jambunada gold,13 a man who is praised by the wise, by those who have tested him day by day; one who is free from faults, a man of understanding, (and) whose wisdom and understanding are (well) integrated? Even the gods praise such a man. By Brahmā, too, is he praised.
- 10 Global #230Who is entitled to blame that man who is like (a coin of) Jambunada gold,13 a man who is praised by the wise, by those who have tested him day by day; one who is free from faults, a man of understanding, (and) whose wisdom and understanding are (well) integrated? Even the gods praise such a man. By Brahmā, too, is he praised.
- 11 Global #231Be on your guard against bodily agitation; be controlled in body. Giving up bodily misconduct, live well behaved as regards the body.
- 12 Global #232Be on your guard against verbal agitation; be controlled in speech. Giving up verbal misconduct, live well behaved as regards speech.
- 13 Global #233Be on your guard against mental agitation; be controlled in mind. Giving up mental misconduct, live well behaved as regards the mind.
- 14 Global #234They are the perfectly restrained ones, the wise who are controlled in body and speech, (together with) the wise who are controlled as regards the mind.
Footnotes
12. Atula was a layman who blamed various bhikkhus in the ways mentioned by the Buddha.
13. ‘Jambunada gold’ is gold from the river of that name.