Like the Earth Without Resentment: The Secret of Sariputta’s Greatness

In our daily lives, when falsely accused, Venerable Sariputta taught us an invaluable lesson. He showed us how to accept harshness so that life may remain fragrant and pure. The more humble one is, the greater one becomes.

The story goes that after the retreat season, Venerable Sariputta and the bhikkhus parted ways to reduce the burden of making offerings. As he bid farewell to each person, his robe bag accidentally brushed against the face of another bhikkhu. That was all it took for the other monk to fly into a rage. He slandered Sariputta, claiming he used his status to look down on others, even alleging that he deliberately struck him in the face. This accuser not only spoke ill of Sariputta but also shook the faith of many people, including their trust in the Buddha. What seemed like a minor incident opened up a profound lesson on virtue and ultimate humility.

### When a Saint Is Falsely Accused

Venerable Sariputta, the chief disciple of the Sangha, was severely condemned by this bhikkhu. He was accused of failing to greet properly, intentionally striking him, and neglecting his leadership responsibilities. Yet, instead of defending himself, Sariputta knelt down and shared his contemplation of the body. This teaching shook the earth and moved many to tears.

He said, "May I be peaceful and joyful when looked down upon or trampled. May I have a broad heart to receive the filth and waste thrown at me, just as the earth does. May I also have a broad heart to receive negative thoughts about me or heavy insults."

Sariputta viewed himself as the earth, as a lowly dung carrier, as a cleaning rag, or as water that washes the world clean before flowing away into oblivion. It was precisely this humility that compelled the accusing bhikkhu to kneel and beg for forgiveness.

### Lessons on Ego and Slander

The Buddha quietly recited four verses: "Like the earth without resentment, like a stone pillar standing firm, like a clear and pure lake, like a saint soaring high." Venerable Sariputta had reached the pinnacle of non-self (anatta). But what about us? We live in a world where everyone wants to prove they are better than others, and the easiest way to do so is to put others down.

Most people suffer from a great illness: they are ready to speak ill of others and readily believe such slander without taking the time to reflect calmly. If there is someone bad or inferior, we gain the illusion that we are superior and skilled.

Master Thich Chan Quang pointed out that if we possessed the compassion of a bodhisattva, we would feel sorrow hearing anyone criticized. We would want everyone to rise above, to become better, and even better than ourselves. If everyone had the mind of a bodhisattva, this realm would become a Pure Land. However, because human hearts have not yet overcome egoism, this realm remains full of suffering (dukkha).

After listening to this teaching, let us ask ourselves: Since encountering the Buddha's teachings (Dharma), do we still enjoy speaking ill of others? Do we believe in slander and false accusations between people? If we have abandoned these habits, our spiritual path has truly progressed.

### Why Do We Understand But Not Realize?

In his lecture, Master Thich Chan Quang recounted how Venerable Sariputta attained enlightenment instantly upon hearing four verses from the monk Assaji: "All phenomena arise from conditions (dependent origination) and cease with those same conditions." Sariputta realized the fruit of Stream-Entry immediately. We understand these words and can repeat them, yet we do not realize them. Why?

For ordinary beings like us, concepts cling tightly to our views, thoughts, attachments, senses, and eyes. We see life as very real. We hear life as very real.

The teacher used a relatable example: When sitting in the temple, we say life is illusory. But once we step outside the gate, if someone speaks harshly, we feel sad; if we lose our car keys, we panic. This is the difference between understanding and realization. Those who have realized the truth detach from clinging within their brain structure. They view life like someone standing on the bank watching a rushing river. We, however, are still drowning in that river.

### Practicing Life Like the Earth

The lesson from Venerable Sariputta lies not in theory, but in practice. Living like the earth means harboring no resentment when trampled, having a broad heart to receive the world's waste. Living like a stone pillar means being steadfast and unmoved by attacks. Living like a lake means keeping the mind pure and clear. Living like a saint soaring high means rising above all suffering and greed, hatred and delusion.

Let us begin with small actions: do not speak ill of anyone, do not believe in slander, and do not cling to your own views. Whenever misunderstood, remember Venerable Sariputta, who asked for forgiveness for the very person who slandered him. He considered causing distress to others, even unintentionally, as his own fault. Practice this starting today to find lightness in your mind/heart. This is the path leading to the shore of enlightenment.

May each of us live like the earth without resentment, so that life may become pure and peaceful.