Unhealthy negative emotions are always self-oriented and self-centered. The Dhammapada says that the fool laments, He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me, and generates anger.[50] As he is firmly tied to the idea of the self or the ego, and he cannot wean himself away from the experience which inflicted a wound on his ego, he is like a dog tied to a post. This situation is quite in contrast to an experience the Buddha had once.[51] A brahman came and abused him in very harsh language. The Buddha remained silent. When at last the brahman stopped, the Buddha asked: If you were to visit a friend and you took a gift to him, but the friend declined to accept the gift, what would you do? The brahman replied that he would take it back. The Buddha said: You brought me a gift of much abuse, I do not accept; you can take it back. The Buddha also states that even if one is cut into pieces with a double-handled saw, one should train oneself not to generate anger towards the tormentor.[52] Moggallaana was an arahant who was mercilessly beaten by robbers but he was able to maintain his composure without a trace of anger. Such is the freedom one gains from negative emotions on the attainment of Nibbana. Source: Dhamma wheel
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:21:05 +0000
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