Author Topic: A Buddhist story - Angry Buddha  (Read 4391 times)

RedLantern

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A Buddhist story - Angry Buddha
« on: June 02, 2013, 02:04:11 PM »
"A woman who practices reciting Buddha Amitabha's name,is very tough and recites "Namo Amitabha Buddha three times daily.Although she is doing the practice for over ten years,she is still quite mean,shouting at people all the time.She starts her practice lighting incense and hitting a little bell.A friend wanted to teach her a lesson,and just as she began her recitation,he came to her door,and called out: "Miss Nguyen,Miss Nguyen.."
As this was the time for her practice,she got annoyed,but she said to herself:I have struggled against my anger,so I will ignore it" And she continued: "Namo Amitabha Buddha",Namo Amitabha Buddha...."
But the man continued to shout her name,and she became more and more oppressive.She struggled against it and wondered if she should stop the recitation to give the man a piece of her mind,but she continued reciting,"Namo Amitabha Buddha,Namo Amitabha Buddha." The man outside heard it and continued:"Miss Nguyen,Miss Nguyen..."She could not stand it anymore,jumped up,slammed the door and went to the gate and shouted :"Why do you have to behave like that? I am doing my practice and you keep on shouting my name over and over!"
The gentleman smiled at her and said: "I just called your name for ten minutes and you are so angry,you have been calling Amitabha Buddha's name for more than ten years now,just imagine how angry he must be by now!

This is a very interesting  and funny story .What is the moral of the story anyone?

Jessie Fong

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Re: A Buddhist story - Angry Buddha
« Reply #1 on: June 02, 2013, 03:04:02 PM »
My opinion ... it is a teaching on patience; how she lost her cool when she was interrupted during her prayer session.

He compared his calling her to the long period she had been chanting Amitaba's name. How he did not react negatively compared to how she snapped at him for interrupting her prayers.

Midakpa

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Re: A Buddhist story - Angry Buddha
« Reply #2 on: June 02, 2013, 05:38:56 PM »
This is also a story about superficial practice. Just chanting the name of the Buddha does not bring any results if one does not overcome one's negative emotions. The woman does not try hard enough to develop patience and allows her anger to control her.