Dhammapada 3–4
They insulted me, struck me, defeated me, robbed me
'They insulted me, struck me, defeated me, robbed me.' For those who hold on to this, hatred does not settle. 'They insulted me, struck me, defeated me, robbed me.' For those who do not hold on to this, hatred settles.
Translated from the Pāli by Banya
Pāli
Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ,
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ upanayhanti,
veraṁ tesaṁ na sammati.
Akkocchi maṁ avadhi maṁ,
ajini maṁ ahāsi me;
Ye ca taṁ nupanayhanti,
veraṁ tesūpasammati.
In plain words
The verses quote grievances about insult, assault, defeat, and theft. Hatred does not settle in those who keep holding these grievances, but settles in those who do not. One way to apply this: distinguish loosening resentment from allowing further harm.
Key words
- upanayhati
- hold on to a grievance — Here it is carrying an injury forward in resentment.
The story behind the verse
The story of the elder Tissa (Tissattheravatthu)
The commentary describes Tissa as a monk who expects respect but does not give other monks the respect due to them. A dispute follows, and he brings his grievance to the Buddha. The Buddha asks him to make amends instead of continuing the quarrel. The verses are given in this setting of holding onto an injury.
Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).
To reflect on
What grievance do you find yourself carrying into today?
Try it today
Notice one replay of a grievance and leave the next imagined argument unfinished.
Practise it with
Loving-kindness (mettā)
Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.