Anger or rage describes an emotion we all have to deal with. And sometimes we struggle with it. It can be encouraging to know that we are not alone in this, but what we all need are frequent reminders that anger and rage only lead to hurting ourselves. And this isn't just meant in a figurative sense, people who are often angry and irate actually tend to have higher blood pressure, among other things, which can lead to heart problems later in life.
Buddha knew very well how harmful anger and rage can be and has left us numerous quotes that help us remain aware of the dangers and futility of anger.
Buddha's attitude toward anger is very interesting. He did not shy away from the emotion, but saw it as a natural part of life. Buddha believed that anger is something to be dealt with in a constructive way.
As you learned above, Buddha said that "holding on to anger is like grabbing a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." This is a very powerful quote that illustrates well the Buddha's views on anger. He saw it as something that can be destructive and hurtful, but also as something that can be transformed into something positive.
Buddha believed that anger can be like fuel for the fire for the mind. However, he did not mean this in a positive sense, but rather in the sense of "watch out, or it will burn everything down." As in Buddhism in general, it is not necessary to suppress our emotions, but it is certainly necessary to learn to deal with them.
If you are struggling with anger, the Buddha's teachings can definitely help you find a more constructive way to deal with it. Buddha's attitude towards anger is very interesting and definitely worth exploring. Thanks for reading!
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One Comment
Very interesting what Buddha had to say about anger!
Very interesting what Buddha had to say about anger!