20. Anger (UV-KG20)

When one has cast off anger, cast off selfishness, leaving behind every description of bondage, without any fondness for name and form, free from everything, he cannot fall into the way of passions.

Casting away rising anger, casting away the passions as soon as they show themselves, the steadfast man casting away all ignorance, will find happiness in the perception of the truth.

If one has cast away anger, his sleep is peaceful; if one has cast away anger, he knows no sorrow. Bhixus, destroy anger, which is the root of the poison; the elect declare that they who have overcome it, are without sorrow.

“There is nothing better than to master one's anger.” This is a great saying, for pain comes after anger, as it does when one has been burnt with fire.

He who is not chaste, without modesty, who gives way to anger, who is without restraint, he who is thus subdued by passion, who is there that cares for him?

He who has but the strength of the ignorant has a strength which is not one. It is not likely that the fool who knows nothing of the law can attain perfection.

He who having strength is patient with those who are weak, him I call the most patient of men, submitting always to the opinions of the weak.

He who, though he is lord over others, is patient with those who are weak, him I call the most patient of men, submitting always to the opinions of the weak.

He who, having been chided, is patient though he be strong, him I call the most patient of men, submitting always to the opinions of the weak.

He who, knowing that his enemy is angered, remains peaceful himself, preserves himself and others from great dangers.

He who, knowing that his enemy is angered, remains peaceful himself, does that which is beneficial both to himself and to the other.

He who acts thus for the benefit of himself and others, they who know not the law, lightly think “He is a fool!”

The words of the superior man are patient through fear (of the consequences); the patience that endures abuse and provocations, which endures humiliating words, that patience is the best, the sage says.

The fool who is angered and who thinks to triumph by using abusive language, is always vanquished by him whose words are patient.

Speak the truth; yield not to anger; give to him who begs, even though it be but a little: by living up to these three (rules of conduct) thou wilt go to the abode of the gods.

He who is overcome by anger sees not what is good for himself; if you would free yourself of transmigration, speak not angry words.

He who, having been angered, gives way to anger again, is sinful; but he who, having been angered, gives way to it no more, has won a mighty victory.

Overcome anger by not being angered; overcome evil by good; overcome avarice by liberality; overcome falsehoods by truth.

He who is controlled and who leads a righteous life, by what could he be angered? The wise, who have perfect wisdom and who are emancipated, are without anger.

The elect associate always with him who is without anger, without wickedness; they who are wicked and given to anger (live alone), weighed down as if by a mountain.

He who holds in rising anger, as he would guide a chariot on the road, him I call an accomplished driver; the vulgar crowd only hold the reins.

Chapter on Anger, the Twentieth.

Translated by Woodville Rockhill.

1975, Udânavarga: a collection of verses from the Buddhist canon compiled by Dharmatrâta, Oriental Press, Amsterdam (reprint of original from 1883).

Translated (into Tibetan) by the Indian Pandit Vidyaprabhakara and the Lotsāva Bande-rin-tchen-mtchog; revised and arranged by the corrector, the Lotsāva Bande-dpal-brtsegs.

Original taken from University of Oslo, faculty of humanities.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Yasoj and Ayya Vimala.