The Related Suttas Collection 7.3

1. The Perfected Ones

With Bhāradvāja the Fiend

At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. The brahmin Bhāradvāja the Fiend heard a rumor to the effect that a brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan had gone forth from the lay life to homelessness in the presence of the ascetic Gotama. Angry and displeased he went to the Buddha and abused and insulted him with rude, harsh words.

But when he said this, the Buddha kept silent.

Then Bhāradvāja the Fiend said to the Buddha, “You’re beaten, ascetic, you’re beaten!”

“‘Ha! I won!’ thinks the fool, when speaking with harsh words. Patience is the true victory for those who understand.

When you get angry at an angry person you just make things worse for yourself. When you don’t get angry at an angry person you win a battle hard to win.

When you know that the other is angry, you act for the good of both yourself and the other if you’re mindful and stay calm.

People unskilled in Dhamma consider one who heals both oneself and the other to be a fool.”

When he had spoken, Bhāradvāja the Fiend said to the Buddha, “Excellent, Master Gotama! …” … And Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the perfected.