Deep Commentary

This Dhammapada verse was taught by the Buddha at Bamboo Grove Monastery, concerning Akkosa Bharadvaja. According to the story, there was a lay Brahmin woman who had attained stream-entry, but she had a habit of reciting the Buddha's name loudly whenever something untoward happened. Her husband, whenever he heard her reciting, would become furious and scold her for foolishly babbling about that bald-headed ascetic. To vent his anger, he declared he would challenge the Buddha to a debate. She challenged him to try and see who would win. So he went to the Buddha and began posing sharp questions, thinking the Buddha could not answer. But he was mistaken. There was no question the Buddha could not answer clearly. From then on, he was deeply inspired, took refuge, and ordained, soon attaining arahantship. Then his next younger brother, hearing of his ordination, came to abuse the Buddha and was also led to ordination. The two youngest brothers likewise. Thus four brothers who initially angrily abused the Buddha were all transformed by him, ordained, and finally attained arahantship. The bhikkhus discussed the Buddha's supreme patience. Knowing this, the Buddha told them: 'Bhikkhus, because I have the power of loving-kindness and patience, because I am one who does no wrong in a world full of faults, therefore I am a true refuge for beings.' (End of story summary). Those who practice lacking patience find it hard to succeed. From ancient times to the present, records show no noble person achieved success without enduring trials. Patience must arise from a compassionate heart that loves all beings. To transform and save the world, bodhisattvas must equip themselves with complete endurance. On the path of life as well as the spiritual path, to achieve good results as we wish, we need to learn the patience of the noble ones and apply it in daily life. Only then do we gain great benefit. The story above is a concrete example. The Buddha was severely abused by four Brahmin brothers with harsh words, yet he remained calm. Why? First, because the Buddha had no more defilements. To achieve that, we must strive to eradicate defilements. Second, because the Buddha's compassion extended to all beings. Those still in darkness receive his greater care. Thus the Buddha told the bhikkhus: 'Because I have the power of loving-kindness and patience.' Only with such compassionate patience can one pity and help beings escape suffering. Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara has these eyes of 'compassionately regarding beings.' Only with those eyes can he comfort and alleviate the painful cries of beings. Today, all humanity greatly needs such clear, patient, compassionate eyes. In summary, practitioners need: 'bodily patience, verbal patience, and mental patience.' Bodily patience means enduring adverse weather, natural disasters, hunger, illness, even being oppressed, abused, beaten, assaulted—all must be patiently endured. Verbal patience means guarding one's speech. When encountering adversity, even when the body is tormented, one should not utter harsh, bitter, evil words to abuse others or things. Mental patience is most important. One might endure bodily and verbally, yet inwardly harbor resentment, nursing hatred—this is extremely dangerous. Suppressed over time, it becomes a great 'inner boil.' When it erupts, the consequences are immeasurable! Therefore, wise practitioners take patience as the root, compassionately and joyfully letting go of everything. Only then can our practice hope for good results.