“Bitterness is like swallowing poison and waiting for the other person to die.”  Our new series is a story about letting go of bitterness. I have adapted this story from “Peace that Lasts” found in Wisdom in the Telling by Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi.

Once, an argument broke out in the community of monks who resided at Kosambi in India. The disagreement divided the community against itself. Accusations and insults flew back and forth until, unable to settle their dispute, the monks swarmed the Buddha like angry bees seeking his help in resolving their differences.

“Be wary of causing divisions,” the Buddha warned them. “Do not cling to thoughts of past harm. Respect one another.”

However, the monks did not fully understand his teaching and they continued to argue, reaching the point of violence. The people of Kosambi lost respect for the monks and withdrew their support. When this happened, the monks returned to the Buddha again and sought his counsel. The Buddha assembled the monks and told them a story.

Next time: “Story of the Past”