Thursday, October 10, 2013

Insult and patience.

I've been pondering over a set of suttas that I feel are excellent in relation to one another: SN 11.4, SN 7.2, and Dhp 399.

In particular we see Sakka, cool and calm in the face of venomous insults from the defeated Vepacitti in the first sutta which reminds me of the Buddha's admonition to be calm in the face of insult. In particular he says

"In the same way, brahman, that with which you have insulted me, who is not insulting; that with which you have taunted me, who is not taunting; that with which you have berated me, who is not berating: that I don't accept from you. It's all yours, brahman. It's all yours. 
"Whoever returns insult to one who is insulting, returns taunts to one who is taunting, returns a berating to one who is berating, is said to be eating together, sharing company, with that person. But I am neither eating together nor sharing your company, brahman. It's all yours. It's all yours."

 Here, to close the circle, is Dhp 399

He endures — unangered — insult, assault, & imprisonment.
His army is strength;
his strength, forbearance:
he's what I call
a brahman.

Return insult with patience, hostility with loving-kindness. Never give in. Be strong.

May all beings be happy and free from suffering.

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