Thus it was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, I have heard:

“Bhikkhus, abandon one thing; I am your guarantor for non-returning. What one thing? Bhikkhus, abandon contempt (ungratefulness); I am your guarantor for non-returning.”

The Blessed One spoke this matter. Therefore, it is said thus:

“When overcome by contempt or ungratefulness, beings go to a bad destination; Completely comprehending contempt and ungratefulness, those with insight abandon it; Having abandoned it, they do not come again, to this world at any time.”

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard.


Picture: The Princess and the Pea, Edmund Dulac, 1911

Related Teachings:

Five ways to remove arisen resentment (AN 5.161) - 1) loving-kindness, 2) compassion, 3) equanimity, 4) disregarding and non-attention, 5) reflection on kamma.

Only by letting go of resentment is hatred stilled (DhP 3, 4, 5) - Hatred is never reconciled by hatred in this world. Only by non-hatred is hatred reconciled.

The Mind of Loving-Kindness (MN 21) - A discourse full of vibrant and memorable similes, on the importance of patience and love even when faced with abuse and criticism. The Buddha finishes with the simile of the saw, one of the most memorable similes found in the discourses.