Brahmavihara Dhamma

(28) The manner of practising patience by Chaddanta

Mention is made in the Visuddhimagga to reflect as to how patience was exercised by Chaddanta, the King of the Elephants, our Bodhisatta in one of his previous existences, without anger and ill-will when Sonothe, a hunter, shot at him with a poisonous arrow.

Mahakapi, a huge monkey once saved the life of a man who had accidentally fallen into a deep, ravine. After having been rescued from the danger of death, this man cruelly struck the head of his Saviour with a big stone when the latter had fallen asleep through exhaustion. However, the noble-minded monkey bore no resentment and grudge against him and even rendered his assistance to this man by escorting him to reach the zone of safety where human beings lived.

Then also, there were instances of two Bodhisatta dragons – one by the name of Buridatta, and the other, Campeyya, a Naga Chief, who were captured alive and ill-treated by a snake-charmer, while they were observing the noble precepts (sila). The snake-charmer took these snakedragons (Nagas) to towns and villages where he displayed an exhibition of these two noble creatures making them dance to the tune of music played by him. These Nagas possessed inherent supernatural powers and were so highly poisonous and potent that by just looking at the persons with spite and omitting fiery flames, people would be reduced to ashes or killed. However; the said two Nagas endured the misery brought about by their enemy, the snake-charmer. The manner in which they practised patience refraining themselves from anger, may be reflected, as explained in the Visuddhimagga.