Why Is It So Important To Practise Patience So As To Eliminate Anger.
Knowing that he was about to pass away, Sariputta, approached the Buddha and asked His permission to return to his mother's home. The Buddha, knowing his intention, gave His blessings and sent him off together with 500 monks. Sariputta's mother was a wealthy person, worth more than 40 million of money, and it was her hope that her son, Sariputta would inherit this great wealth after her death.
Arriving at his home village, he saw many of his nieces and nephews, whereupon, he requested that they go and inform their grandmother that he will be returning home and that he would like to stay in the room of his childhood. Upon hearing this news, his mother was filled with joy thinking that her son has finally come to his senses and is returning home to his inheritance.
Upon reaching his mother's house, Sariputta stood outside, hoping that his mother would see him and come to offer him some food. His intention was to give his mother the opportunity to do Dana so that she would gain some merits. His mother, who was now 120 years of age, upon seeing her son, began to complain. "I have a wealth worth 40 million money, and my son is not even interested in them. And now he is standing there like a beggar begging for food." Sariputta, suffering from diarrhoea and feeling very sick, acknowledged her and entered his room. Seeing that he was sick, his mother stood outside and observed him from the window of his room.
That night, while she was still patiently sitting outside Sariputta's room waiting for the right moment to enter, she saw four beings appearing in her son's room. These four beings were radiating rays of light from their bodies with the brightness of the morning star. She saw these four beings paying respect to her son before going away.
After some time, she say another being appearing in her son's room. This being was radiating light from his body with the brightness of the full moon. This being too, paid respect to her son before going away. And not so long after that, at about 3 am in the morning, she saw yet another being appearing in her son's room and paid respect to her son before going away. This being was radiating light from his body with the brightness of the afternoon sun. She became very curious at these unusual happenings.
The next morning, Sariputta knew that it was time to let his mother into the room. Upon entering the room, she questioned her son regarding the unusual sights she had seen the night before. She first asked about the four beings whose brightness was equal to the morning star. Sariputta replied that they were the Four Heavenly Guardian Kings. her mother was surprised to find out that the Four Guardian Kings had actually visited her house. She then wanted to know, who was the more superior: the Four Great Kings or her son. Sariputta answered; "you have seen them paying their respects to me." Upon hearing her son's reply, she was impressed. A certain degree of joy began to develop in her heart knowing that her son, after renunciation had achieved a level greater than the Four Guardian Kings.
She then continued to inquire about the second being whose brightness was as the full moon. Sariputta replied, "He is Sakka, the King of Heaven." She was even more impressed that Sakka himself had actually visited her house and again wanted to know who was the more superior? And Sariputta answered; "You have seen Sakka paying his respects to me." The mother was greatly impressed.
Coming to the third being whose brightness was as the afternoon sun. Sariputta told; "He is Maha Brahma, the deity you have been worshipping everyday at home." His mother then exclaimed with great surprise; "You mean the same Maha Brahma I have been worshipping everyday actually came to my house?" She again wanted to know who was the more superior? And Sariputta answered; "You have seen Maha Brahma paying respects to me." Realising the great achievements of her son, tears of joy flowed from her eyes.
A thought entered her mind: "If even the Maha Brahma and the heavenly gods pay respects to my son, who is only a disciple of the Buddha, what about his teacher the Buddha? He must be far more superior than my son."
When Sariputta saw the thoughts of his mother through his Arahant eyes, he began to preach the Dhamma to her;
Such indeed is He the Exalted One: Worthy, Supremely Enlightened, endowed with Knowledge and Conduct, Well-gone, Knower of the worlds, Enlightened and Exalted.
Upon contemplating the verses on the perfection of the Buddha, Sariputta's mother became a stream winner.
This is one of the tenth good deed. It is to practise patience so as to eliminate anger.
