Deep Commentary

This Dhammapada verse was taught by the Buddha at Bamboo Grove Monastery, concerning Venerable Sāriputta. According to the story, when the Buddha was at Bamboo Grove Monastery, Venerable Sāriputta together with five hundred bhikkhus went to the house of his own mother for alms. The mother invited them all inside, but while serving food she harshly scolded and reviled the Venerable One, calling him a beggar who had abandoned his family wealth and property, saying it was shameful to be a mendicant. She then went on to curse the other bhikkhus as well. Venerable Sāriputta remained silent, received the alms food, and returned to the monastery. When Rāhula offered food to the Buddha, the Buddha asked what had happened, and Rāhula recounted everything. The Buddha asked, "What was your teacher's attitude at that time?" Rāhula replied that his teacher (Sāriputta) remained silent and said nothing. Hearing this, the other bhikkhus praised Venerable Sāriputta’s noble practice of patience. The Buddha then told them: "Bhikkhus, one who has completely eradicated all evil desires no longer has anger." (End of story summary). Anger exists to some degree in almost everyone, as it is an ancient seed latent in our consciousness. Depending on one’s depth of spiritual cultivation, the intensity of anger varies. For those who practice little, anger can erupt powerfully. Those who practice can often control it through deep inner contemplation when faced with adverse conditions, so their anger arises more mildly and slowly because they are mindful and can restrain it. Those who practice well greatly reduce their afflictions. Those more advanced may have no coarse afflictions, though subtle ones remain. For arahants like Sāriputta, all defilements are eradicated. Though his mother severely scolded him, he remained peaceful and silent, free from the root defilements of greed, hatred, and delusion. This is due to mature cultivation. Anyone can achieve this through resolute effort. On the path, practitioners differ only in how much they have eliminated afflictions. Once the root is cut, the branches disappear. If our inner strength is weak, we should start with the branches—carefully guarding bodily and verbal actions. Like a large tree: if we cannot uproot it, we can break branches and pluck leaves until it withers. This is working from coarse to subtle. Conversely, if our cultivation is strong, we go directly to the root—the subtle mind. The moment a thought arises, we recognize it clearly; by recognition it dissolves, because its nature is false and unreal. For this we must have constant mindfulness. Cultivating at the root is truly important. When no karmic thoughts arise, the cycle of birth and death ends here. Like Venerable Sāriputta, though his mother harshly reproached him, his mind remained cool and serene, free from defilements, always abiding in peaceful Nibbāna. Thus he enjoys great freedom and happiness. To achieve this, we must strive in cultivation every moment, constantly observing our mind, like a person sitting on the bank watching a flowing river, knowing every twist and turn. Only then can we hope to have peace and happiness in every step, smile, and breath.