Uncontrolled Hatred Leads To Harm & Overcoming Anger

While residing at the Jetavana Monastery in Savatthi, the Buddha uttered these verses in reference to Monk Tissa. Tissa, the son of the Buddha’s maternal aunt, was at one time staying with the Buddha. He had become a monk only in his old age, yet he behaved as though he were a senior monk. He was very pleased when visiting monks asked his permission to serve him.

However, he failed to perform the duties expected of junior monks and often quarreled with the younger monks. Whenever someone rebuked him for his behavior, he would go to the Buddha complaining, weeping, dissatisfied, and very upset.

Once the Teacher asked him, “Tissa, why have you come to me so sad and sorrowful, with tears in your eyes?” The other monks, thinking he might cause trouble if he went alone, accompanied him. They paid respect to the Teacher and sat down respectfully on one side.

Tissa said, “Venerable Sir, these monks are abusing me.” The Teacher asked, “Where were you sitting?” Tissa replied, “In the center of the monastery, in the Hall of State, Venerable.” The Teacher continued, “Did you see these monks when they came?” “Yes, Venerable.” “Did you rise to greet them?” “No, Venerable.” “Did you offer to take their monastic utensils?” “No, Venerable.”

The Teacher said, “Tissa, do not act in this way. You alone are to blame. Ask their pardon.” Tissa replied stubbornly, “I will not ask their pardon, Venerable.” The monks said, “He is obstinate, Venerable.” The Teacher replied, “This is not the first time he has been obstinate. He was obstinate in a previous existence as well.”

At the monks’ request, the Teacher told a story from the past. Once, when a certain king reigned in Benares, an ascetic named Devala had spent eight months in the Himalayas. Wishing to stay near the city during the rainy season for salt and vinegar, he returned and asked two boys at the city gate where monks usually stayed. They directed him to the potter’s hall.

Devala went to the potter’s hall and asked permission to stay the night. The potter kindly allowed him to stay, saying the hall was large and unused at night. Shortly afterward, another ascetic named Narada, also returning from the Himalayas, asked the potter for lodging. The potter told him to seek Devala’s consent.

Narada approached Devala and respectfully asked to share the hall. Devala agreed, saying there was plenty of space. They exchanged friendly greetings and prepared to rest for the night.

Before lying down, Narada carefully noted where Devala lay and where the doorway was. However, Devala lay down across the doorway instead of in his proper place. When Narada went out during the night, he accidentally stepped on Devala’s matted hair.

Devala cried out angrily, “Who is treading on my hair?” Narada replied respectfully, “Teacher, it is I. I did not know you were lying here. Please pardon me.” But Devala angrily called him a false ascetic and continued weeping.

Determined not to be stepped on again, Devala changed his position and lay with his head where his feet had been before. When Narada returned, he thought he would avoid harm by entering near Devala’s feet. Unfortunately, he stepped on Devala’s neck instead.

Again Devala shouted in anger and accused Narada of wrongdoing. Narada humbly explained that he did not know Devala had changed his position and begged forgiveness. But Devala refused to listen and declared, “I will curse you.” Despite Narada’s pleas, Devala cursed him, saying, “May your head split into seven pieces at sunrise.”

Narada realized that the curse would rebound upon Devala himself. Out of compassion, he used his meditative power to prevent the sunrise. When the sun did not rise, the king intervened and urged Devala to apologize, but Devala refused.

Narada then told Devala that he would allow the sun to rise and instructed him to place a lump of clay on his head, submerge himself in water, and rise in different places as he moved. When the sun’s rays touched the clay, it split into seven pieces. Devala quickly ducked under the water, resurfaced elsewhere, and fled.

After finishing the story, the Buddha said, “Monks, at that time the king was Ananda, Devala was Tissa, and Narada was myself. Even then, he was obstinate.” The Buddha advised the monks not to hold thoughts of enmity, for enmity can only be overcome by thoughts of friendliness.