Discourse On the Five Ways of Putting an End to Anger
           (Discourse on Water as an Example)

Madhyama Agama 25  (corresponds with Anguttara Nikaya III, 186)
Plum Village Chanting Book

I heard these words of the Venerable Shariputra one time when he was staying in the Anathapindika Monastery in the Jeta Grove near the town of Shravasti.

One day the Venerable Shariputra said to the monks, “Friends, today I want to share with you five ways of putting an end to anger. Please listen carefully and put into practice what I teach.”

The bhikkhus agreed and listened carefully.

The Venerable Shariputra said, “What are these five ways of putting an end to anger?

“This is the first way. My friends, if there is someone whose bodily actions are not kind but his words are kind, if you feel angry with that person but you are wise, you will know how to meditate in order to put an end to your anger.

“My friends, say there is a bhikkhu practicing asceticism who wears a patchwork robe. One day he is going past a garbage pile filled with excrement, urine, mucous, and many other filthy things, and he sees in the pile one piece of cloth still intact. Using his left hand, he picks up the piece of cloth and with his right hand he takes the other end and stretches it out. He observes that this piece of cloth is not torn, and has not been stained by excrement, urine, sputum, or other kinds of filth. So he folds it up and puts it away to take home, to wash, and sew it into his patchwork robe. My friends, if we are wise, when someone’s bodily actions are not pleasant but his words are kind, we should not pay attention to his unpleasant bodily actions, but only be attentive to his kind words. This will help us put an end to our anger.

“My friends, this is the second method: If you become angry with someone whose words are not kind but whose bodily actions are pleasant, if you are wise, you will know how to meditate in order to put an end to your anger.

“My friends, say that not far from the village there is a deep lake, and the surface of that lake is covered with algae and grass. There is someone who comes near that lake who is very thirsty, suffering greatly from the heat. He takes off his clothes, jumps into the water, and using his hands to clear away the algae and grass, enjoys bathing and drinking the cool water of the lake. It is the same, my friends with someone whose words are not kind but whose bodily actions are kind. Do not pay attention to that person’s words. Only be attentive to his bodily actions in order to be able to put an end to your anger. Someone who is wise should practice in this way.

“Here is the third method, my friends: If there is someone whose bodily actions and words are not kind, but who still has a little kindness in his heart, if you feel anger toward that person and are wise, you will find a way of meditating to put an end to that anger.

“My friends, say there is someone going to a crossroads. He is weak, thirsty, poor, hot, deprived, and filled with sorrow. When he arrives at the crossroads, he sees a buffalo’s footprint with a little stagnant rainwater in it. He thinks to himself, ‘There is very little water in this buffalo’s footprint, so if I use my hand or a leaf to scoop it up, I would stir it up and it will become muddy and undrinkable. Therefore, I will have to kneel down with my arms and knees on the earth, put my lips right up to the water, and drink it directly.’ Straight away, he does just that. My friends, when you see someone whose bodily actions and words are not kind, but where there is still a little kindness, do not pay attention to his actions and words, but to the little kindness that is in his heart in order to put an end to your anger. Someone who is wise should practice in that way.

“This is the fourth method, my friends. If there is someone whose words and bodily actions are not kind, and in whose heart there is nothing that can be called kindness, if you are angry with that person and you are wise, you need to find a way to meditate in order to put an end to your anger.

“My friends, suppose there is someone on a long journey who falls sick. He is alone and completely exhausted, and not near any village. He falls into despair, knowing that he will die before completing his journey. If at that point, someone comes along and sees this man’s situation, he immediately takes the man’s hand and leads him onward to the next village, where he takes care of him, treats his illness, and makes sure he has everything he needs by way of clothes, medicine, and food. Because of this compassion and loving kindness, the man’s life is saved. Just so, my friends, when you see someone whose words and bodily actions are not kind, and in whose heart there is nothing that can be called kindness, give rise to this thought: Someone whose words and bodily actions are not kind and in whose heart is nothing that can be called kindness, is someone who is undergoing great suffering. Unless they meet a good spiritual friend, there will be no chance for them to transform and go to realms of happiness. Thinking like this, you will be able to open your heart with love and compassion toward that person. You will be able to put an end to your anger and help that person. Someone who is wise should practice like this.

“My friends, this is the fifth method. If there is someone whose bodily actions are kind, whose words are kind, and whose mind is also kind, if you are angry with that person and you are wise, you should find a way to meditate in order to put an end to your anger.

“My friends, suppose that not far from the village there is a very beautiful lake. The water in the lake is clear and sweet, the bed of the lake is even, the banks of the lake are lush with green grass, and all around the lake, beautiful fresh trees give shade. Someone who is thirsty, suffering from heat, whose body is covered in sweat, comes to the lake, takes off his clothes, leaves them on the shore, jumps down into the water, and finds great comfort and enjoyment in bathing and drinking the pure water. His heat, thirst and suffering disappear immediately. In the same way, my friends, when you see someone whose bodily actions are kind, whose words are kind, and whose mind is also kind, give your attention to all his kindness of body, speech and mind, and do not allow anger or jealousy to overwhelm you. If you do not know how to live happily with someone who is as fresh as that, you cannot be called someone who has wisdom.

“My dear friends, I have shared with you the five ways of putting an end to anger.”

When the bhikkhus heard the Venerable Shariputra’s words they were happy to receive them and put them into practice.