Anger, What Do I Do With It?

I want to share this chapter from Easwaran’s translation of the Dhammapada. You’re welcome!

221 Give up anger, give up pride, and free yourself from worldly bondage. No sorrow can befall those who never try to possess people and things as their own.

222 Those who hold back rising anger like a rolling chariot are real charioteers. Others merely hold the reins.

223 Conquer anger through gentleness, unkindness through kindness, greed through generosity, and falsehood by truth.

224 Be truthful; do not yield to anger. Give freely, even if you have but little. The gods will bless you.

225 Injuring no one, self-controlled, the wise enter the state of peace beyond all sorrow.

226 Those who are vigilant, who train their minds day and night and strive continually for nirvana, enter the state of peace beyond all selfish passions.

227 There is an old saying: “People will blame you if you say too much; they will blame you if you say too little; they will blame you if you say just enough.” No one in this world escapes blame.

228 There never was and never will be anyone who receives all praise or all blame.

229–230 But who can blame those who are pure, wise, good, and meditative? They shine like a coin of pure gold. Even the gods praise them, even Brahma the Creator.

231 Use your body for doing good, not for harm. Train it to follow the dharma.

232 Use your tongue for doing good, not for harm. Train it to speak kindly.

233 Use your mind for doing good, not for harm. Train your mind in love.

234 The wise are disciplined in body, speech, and mind. They are well controlled indeed.”

from “The Dhammapada (Easwaran’s Classics of Indian Spirituality)” by Eknath Easwaran Ed.

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