In the annals of Buddhist lore, there is a well-known tale that encapsulates the essence of compassion and the transformative power of kindness. I’ve shared this popular teaching story sometimes, when providing counselling sessions. It’s quite an enlightening tale. It’s the story of the Buddha and the angry man.
Once upon a time, the Buddha was travelling through a village when he encountered an irate man. The man was filled with rage and hurled insults at the Buddha. Undeterred, the Buddha remained calm and asked, ‘My friend, if you were to offer a gift to someone, but they refused to accept it, to whom would the gift belong?’
The angry man was taken aback by this question. He realised that if his gift was rejected, it would remain his. So, he replied, ‘It would still be mine.’
The Buddha smiled and said, ‘In the same way, if you offer anger to someone and they refuse to accept it, the anger remains yours. It only hurts you.’
The man contemplated the Buddha’s words. He realised that his anger was like a poison that he was consuming himself. It was not harming the Buddha, but it was destroying him from within.
Overwhelmed by remorse, the man fell to his knees and apologised for his outburst. He asked the Buddha for guidance on how to overcome his anger.
The Buddha taught him a simple meditation technique. He instructed the man to focus on his breath and to repeat the mantra, ‘I am angry, but I will not let my anger control me.’
With regular practice, the man began to notice a change within himself. His anger gradually subsided, and he became more peaceful and compassionate.
The story of the Buddha and the angry man is a reminder that our emotions, whether positive or negative, are ultimately our responsibility. We cannot control how others react, but we can choose how we respond. By choosing kindness and compassion, we not only heal ourselves but also create a ripple effect that can transform the world.
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