Douglass Smith about the complexities of anger in early Buddhism
In a talk called “Did the Buddha Get Angry?” Douglass Smith delves into the complexities of anger in early Buddhism, focusing on the Buddha’s interactions with misguided monks and the tempter Mara.
While the Buddha didn’t harbor anger post-enlightenment, accounts reveal instances where he expressed anger toward those misinterpreting his teachings, like Sati’s claim of persistent consciousness.
Despite the Buddha’s non-opposition to unpleasant speech, these exchanges seemed more than just unpleasant.
Doug ponders if the Buddha’s anger served to correct misunderstandings and prevent harm.
Exploring a stanza from the Dhammapada suggesting enlightened control over anger, Doug raises questions about its interpretation variations.
Despite anger being portrayed negatively in early Buddhism, instances of the Buddha’s anger create a conundrum.
Practitioners are left contemplating the distinction between the Buddha’s anger and hatred, with additional resources provided for further exploration.
