36 Nagy's Buddha's Anger

This article was written in conjunction with my friend Nagy, the Zen Buddhist-Priest. Learn more about his work Prison Dharma Network (http://www.prisondharmanetwork.org/directory/organizations/75).

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The Buddha on how to handle other’s anger: don’t take the gift!

A woman, whose son had left her to become a disciple, confronted the Buddha and showered him with great anger. She was a widow and her son had been her sole source of support. She poured out a great virulent wrath in the Buddha’s face.

The monks watching were shocked.

They wondering why the Buddha said nothing to defend himself – after all, her son was taking active steps in the path towards the liberation – couldn’t she understand that?

When the woman left they asked why he listening, did nothing, but, seemingly, took the abuse.

He said two things:

1. she was suffering and we must show compassion for all who suffer
2. I did not have to accept her “gifts’.”

(The story ends with the Buddha telling her the son to go and take of his mother and that he could always return.)

Isn’t that advice of the Buddha’s something that we all know? That we must be compassionate and that we needn’t accept other people’s rage. People only attack us when they feel their suffering is too great to shoulder. If we can understand this, then we need not take in their gifts.