“Nature unfolds her treasure at the first ray of sunrise.” ~ Kishore Bansal
“It was sunsets that taught me that beauty sometimes only lasts for a couple of moments, and it was sunrises that showed me that all it takes is patience to experience it all over again.” ~ A.J. Lawless
A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things. — George R. R. Martin
Silently, like thoughts that come and go, the snowflakes fall, each one a gem. — William Hamilton Gibson
Verse 81: As a mountain of rock is unshaken by wind, so also, the wise are unperturbed by blame or by praise.
The Story of Thera Lakundaka Bhaddiya
While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (81) of this book, with reference to Thera Bhaddiya.
Bhaddiya was one of the bhikkhus staying at the Jetavana monastery. Because of his short stature he was known as Lakundaka (the dwarf) to other bhikkhus. Lakundaka Bhaddiya was very good natured; even young bhikkhus would often tease him by pulling his nose or his ear, or by patting him on his head. Very often they would jokingly say, “Uncle, how are you? Are you happy, or are you bored with your life here as a bhikkhu?”, etc. Lakundaka Bhaddiya never retaliated in anger, or abused them; in fact, even in his heart he did not get angry with them.
When told about the patience of Lakundaka Bhaddiya, the Buddha said, “An arahat never loses his temper, he has no desire to speak harshly or to think ill of others. He is like a mountain of solid rock; as a solid rock is unshaken, so also, an arahat is unperturbed by scorn or by praise.”
Then the Buddha spoke in verse as follows:
Verse 81: As a mountain of rock is unshaken by wind, so also, the wise are unperturbed by blame or by praise.
Dhammapada Verse 81
Lakundakabhaddiyatthera Vatthu
Selo yatha ekaghano
vatena na samirati
evam nindapasamsasu
na saminjanti pandita
Source: Tipitaka
