The key to happiness is in your hands

Author: He Chengwei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Reading is the birthplace of happiness. You can converse with the wise and dialogue with the great. Pick up a book, and you become a happy person.
Venting
In ancient times, there was a woman who loved to get angry over trivial matters. She knew it wasn’t good, so she went to a wise monk to learn about Zen and broaden her heart. The monk listened to her story without saying a word and led her to a meditation room, locked the door, and left.
Furious, the woman stomped her feet and cursed for a long time, but the monk paid no attention. The woman then began to beg, but the monk still ignored her. Finally, the woman fell silent, and the monk came out and asked her, “Are you still angry?”
“I’m only angry with myself,” she said. “How could I come here to suffer this!”
“Someone who doesn’t forgive themselves cannot achieve inner peace,” the monk replied and left.
After a while, the monk returned and asked, “Are you still angry?”
“No,” she said.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because there’s no use getting angry!”
“But your anger hasn’t gone away. It’s still pressing inside you, and when it erupts, it will be even stronger,” the monk said and left again.
When the monk came to the door for the third time, the woman told him, “I’m not angry anymore because it’s not worth getting angry.”
“Knowing whether it’s worth getting angry shows you still have a measure in your heart. There’s still a root of anger,” the monk said with a smile.
When the monk’s figure stood outside again, facing the setting sun, the woman asked him, “Venerable, what is anger?”
The monk poured the tea in his hand onto the ground. After watching it for a long time, the woman suddenly realized and kowtowed in gratitude before leaving.
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