#3. The Third Chapter

The Buddha recalls the words of Sakka warning of how anger crushes people like an avalancheSo I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Once upon a time, mendicants, Sakka, lord of gods, guiding the gods of the Thirty-Three, recited this verse: “Don’t let anger be your master, don’t get angry at angry people. Kindness and harmlessness are always present in the noble ones. [Read More]

When two mendicants have a falling out, the Buddha recalls the wise words of Sakka on not letting anger ruin friendship.At Sāvatthī. Now at that time two mendicants were overly attached, and one of them transgressed against the other. The transgressor confessed to the other mendicant, but they didn’t accept it. Then several mendicants went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. [Read More]

When Vepacitti fell ill, Sakka visited his old adversary, who begged to be cured. But Sakka demanded to be taught a powerful magic spell first.At Sāvatthī. The Buddha said this: “Once upon a time, mendicants, Vepacitti, lord of demons, was sick, suffering, gravely ill. So Sakka went to see him to ask after his illness. Vepacitti saw Sakka coming off in the distance, and said to him, ‘Heal me, lord of gods! [Read More]

When an ugly spirit takes Sakka’s throne, the gods were outraged. But the more they complained, the prettier he became. Sakka realized this was the so-called “anger eating spirit”, and treated him with kindness and respect. Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. “Once upon a time, mendicants, there was a native spirit who was ugly and deformed. He sat on the throne of Sakka, lord of gods. But the gods of the Thirty-Three complained, grumbled, and objected, ‘It’s incredible, it’s amazing! [Read More]

Anger is the only thing whose slaying the Buddha commends.Near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove. And then Sakka, lord of gods, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him: “When what is incinerated do you sleep at ease? When what is incinerated is there no sorrow? What is the one thing whose killing you approve?” “When anger’s incinerated you sleep at ease. When anger’s incinerated there is no sorrow. [Read More]