Chapter XXVI - BRAHMANA VAGGA - The Brahmana

A BRAHMANA IS HE WHO IS NOT WRATHFUL

Akkodhanam vatavantam silavantam anussutam
Dantam antima sariram tam aham brumi brahmanam. [400]

XXVI: 17 Venerable Sariputta is reviled by his mother

While the Buddha was in residence at the Veluvana monastery, the Venerable Sariputta, accompanied by a group of bhikkhus, entered Nalaka Village and stood at the door of the house of his own mother for almsfood. His mother invited them into the house. But while she was offering food to her son she said, 'O you consumer of left-overs, you have abandoned all wealth to become a bhikkhu, you have ruined us.' Then she offered almsfood to the other bhikkhus and said to them rudely, 'You all have used my son as your attendant; now eat your food.' Sariputta said nothing and just maintained his noble silence. Back at the monastery, the bhikkhus related how Sariputta had patiently borne the scolding and abuse of his mother. The Buddha commented that Arahants never get angry and they never lose their temper.