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Anger is a form of energy. The most basic way to cure anger is to see it that way. Remove all labels from it and disentangle it from all stories or excuses about why it is there. Seen purely as energy, anger is more easily put in perspective and controlled. Another way to control anger is to consider times in the past when you were angry. What do they matter now ? Did they really matter then ? After enough time has past, recalling anger is like recalling the heat of a fire. There is a memory but no feeling.
The Mahaprajnaparamita Shastra says :
Overcoming anger brings peace to the mind. Overcoming
Anger leads to a mind without regrets. Anger is the source
Of the poisons that destroy goodness. All the Buddhas
praise one who has overcome anger. When anger has
been overcome, there no longer will be any anxiety.
The Saddharma Smriti Upasthana Sutra says that one who overcomes anger is loved by all and is delightful to see. His mind is calm, his face is pure and he is trusted by everyone. Once anger has been overcome, the sutra says, it follows naturally that one will be successful in upholding the precepts and in controlling fear, passion, criticism, harsh speech, and a tendency to complain or be bitter about one’s life. Overcoming anger is the source of much goodness. The merits which accrue to anyone who has overcome this vice lead to good circumstances in this life and a good rebirth after this life is over.
The Mahayana Samparigraha Shastra mentions five ways to overcome anger;
1) Contemplate that since beginning less time you have been connected with all sentient beings in the universe.
2) Contemplate the transience of life. Who is there to be harmed and who is doing the harming ?
3) Contemplate that only the Dharma is real and that there is no such thing as sentient beings. In this light, how can there be any such thing as harm ?
4) Contemplate that all sentient beings must suffer. In this light, why would anyone want to increase the suffering of another ?
5) Contemplate that all sentient beings are your children. Why would you want to harm any of them ?
When all is said and done, compassion is the single best method for overcoming anger. The bodhisattva must learn to “be compassionate for no reason and to see all beings as being of one body.”
If anger rises and you desire
to harm another being,
already you have harmed
yourself far more than him.
And that is why you must
often think on compassion;
for compassion keeps from rising
all thought of anger, evil and pain.
The Mahaprajnaparamita Shastra says :
Overcoming anger brings peace to the mind. Overcoming
Anger leads to a mind without regrets. Anger is the source
Of the poisons that destroy goodness. All the Buddhas
praise one who has overcome anger. When anger has
been overcome, there no longer will be any anxiety.
The Saddharma Smriti Upasthana Sutra says that one who overcomes anger is loved by all and is delightful to see. His mind is calm, his face is pure and he is trusted by everyone. Once anger has been overcome, the sutra says, it follows naturally that one will be successful in upholding the precepts and in controlling fear, passion, criticism, harsh speech, and a tendency to complain or be bitter about one’s life. Overcoming anger is the source of much goodness. The merits which accrue to anyone who has overcome this vice lead to good circumstances in this life and a good rebirth after this life is over.
The Mahayana Samparigraha Shastra mentions five ways to overcome anger;
1) Contemplate that since beginning less time you have been connected with all sentient beings in the universe.
2) Contemplate the transience of life. Who is there to be harmed and who is doing the harming ?
3) Contemplate that only the Dharma is real and that there is no such thing as sentient beings. In this light, how can there be any such thing as harm ?
4) Contemplate that all sentient beings must suffer. In this light, why would anyone want to increase the suffering of another ?
5) Contemplate that all sentient beings are your children. Why would you want to harm any of them ?
When all is said and done, compassion is the single best method for overcoming anger. The bodhisattva must learn to “be compassionate for no reason and to see all beings as being of one body.”
If anger rises and you desire
to harm another being,
already you have harmed
yourself far more than him.
And that is why you must
often think on compassion;
for compassion keeps from rising
all thought of anger, evil and pain.
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