..续本文上一页d of it wondered at the Elder”s great forbearance, and in the midst of the assembly the Buddha praised him, uttering the stanza:

　　"He that is free from anger, who performs his duties faithfully.

　　He that guards the precepts, and is free from lust;

　　He that has subdued himself, he that wears his last body —

　　He it is I call a brahman."

　　It was not until right at the close of Sariputta”s life that he was able to convert his mother; that story will be told later on. But the incident that has been related here leads us to a consideration of the great Elder”s most pleasing characteristics, his humility, patience and forbearance.

　　The Unresentful

　　It is the neighborhood of Jetavana, where the Buddha is residing. Some men are in a group, talking about the noble qualities of the Elder Sariputta. "Such great patience has our noble Elder," they are saying, "that even when people abuse him and strike him, he feels no trace of anger."

　　"Who is this that never gets angry

　　" The question is from a brahman, a holder of false views. And when they tell him, "It is our Elder, Sariputta," he retorts: "It must be that nobody has ever provoked him."

　　"That is not so brahman," they reply. "Well, then, I will provoke him to anger." "Provoke him to anger if you can!" "Leave it to me," says the brahman. "I know just what to do to him."

　　The Venerable Sariputta enters the city on his round for alms. Approaching him from behind, the brahman strikes him in a tremendous blow on the back. "What was that

　　" says the Venerable Sariputta; and without so much as turning to look, he continues on his way.

　　The fire of remorse leaps up in every part of the brahman”s body. Prostrating himself at the Elder”s feet he begs for pardon. "For what

　　" asks the Elder, mildly. "To test your patience I struck you," the penitent brahman replies. "Very well, I pardon you."

　　"Reverend sir," the brahman says, "if you are willing to pardon me, hereafter please take your food only at my house." With these words he takes the Elder”s almsbowl, which the Elder willingly yields, and leading him to his house serves him with food.

　　But those who saw the assault are enraged. They gather at the brahman”s house, armed with sticks and stones, to kill him. When the Venerable Sariputta emerges, accompanied by the brahman carrying his bowl, they cry: "Reverend sir, order this brahman to turn back!"

　　"Why, lay disciples

　　" asks the Elder. They answer: "The man struck you. We are going to give him what he deserves!"

　　"But what do you mean

　　 Was it you, or me, he struck

　　"

　　"It was you, reverend sir." "Well, if it was me he struck, he has begged my pardon. Go your ways." And so, dismissing the people and permitting the brahman to return, the great Elder calmly makes his way to the monastery.

　　This incident, recorded in the Dhammapada Commentary, was the occasion of the Buddha”s uttering the verses 389 and 390 of the Dhammapada, which are among those that give the Buddha”s definition of what constitutes a brahman, that is to say, rectitude of conduct rather than birth or rank.

　　Let none strike a brahman;

　　Let no brahman return a blow.

　　Shame on him that strikes a brahman!

　　More shame on the brahman who returns the blow!

　　Not small is the gain to a brahman

　　Who restrains his mind from what is dear;

　　As fast as the will to injure wanes

　　So fast indeed does suffering decline.

　　— Dhammapada, vv 389, 390

　　The Venerable Sariputta”s humility was as great as his patience. He was willing to receive correction from anyone, not only with submission but with gratitude. It is told in the Commentary to the Devaputta Samyutta, Susima Sutta, that once, through a momentary negligence, a corner of the Elder”s under-robe was hanging down, and a seven-year-old novice, seeing this, pointed it out to him. The Venerable Sariputta stepped a…

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