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an.5.161 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Subduing Hatred (1)

“There are these five ways of subduing hatred by which, when hatred arises in a monk, he should wipe it out completely. Which five?

“When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should develop good will for that individual. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

“When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should develop compassion for that individual. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

“When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should develop equanimity toward that individual. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

“When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should pay him no mind & pay him no attention. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

“When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should direct one’s thoughts to the fact of his being the product of his actions: ‘This venerable one is the doer of his actions, heir to his actions, born of his actions, related by his actions, and has his actions as his arbitrator. Whatever action he does, for good or for evil, to that will he fall heir.’ Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

“These are five ways of subduing hatred by which, when hatred arises in a monk, he should wipe it out completely.”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera


Getting Rid of Resentment (1st)

“Mendicants, a mendicant should use these five methods to completely get rid of resentment when it has arisen toward anyone.
What five?
You should develop love for a person you resent.
That’s how to get rid of resentment for that person.
You should develop compassion for a person you resent. …

You should develop equanimity for a person you resent. …

You should disregard a person you resent, paying no attention to them. …

You should apply the concept that we are the owners of our deeds to that person:
‘This venerable is the owner of their deeds and heir to their deeds. Deeds are their womb, their relative, and their refuge.
They shall be the heir of whatever deeds they do, whether good or bad.’
That’s how to get rid of resentment for that person.
A mendicant should use these five methods to completely get rid of resentment when it has arisen toward anyone.”