There was a monk
who was bad tempered. He lived in an ashram but found it difficult to get along
with the ashramites. He decided to leave and live a secluded life in the
forest. He thought he could thus overcome anger. In the beginning, he found
peace and tranquillity within. He was happy.
One day, he went to the river to fill a jug of water. As he placed the jug on the ground, it toppled over. He picked it up and filled it again. Again, the jug toppled down. He repeated the process a number of times, until finally he lost his temper and smashed the jug to pieces. Then it was that he realised his mistake.
I left the ashram, he confessed to himself, only to control my anger, but anger has followed me even here into the forest.
It is not individuals or situations that cause anger. It is your own reaction or response to individuals and situations that determines whether you will be angry or otherwise. Therefore, develop the will to control anger.
One day, he went to the river to fill a jug of water. As he placed the jug on the ground, it toppled over. He picked it up and filled it again. Again, the jug toppled down. He repeated the process a number of times, until finally he lost his temper and smashed the jug to pieces. Then it was that he realised his mistake.
I left the ashram, he confessed to himself, only to control my anger, but anger has followed me even here into the forest.
It is not individuals or situations that cause anger. It is your own reaction or response to individuals and situations that determines whether you will be angry or otherwise. Therefore, develop the will to control anger.
