AN 7.64 kodhana (anger), case 3 of 7 unclear what is meant by "profit" or "loss", and how exactly that sabotages what angry person wants
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(pali + english, derived from b. Sujato trans.)
http://lucid24.org/an/an07/an07-v05/index.html#s64
(b. thanissaro eng. trans)
https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN7_60.html
The passage in question:
> “And further, an enemy wishes of an enemy, ‘O, may this person not
> profit!’ Why is that? An enemy is not pleased with an enemy’s profits.
> Now, when a person is angry—overcome with anger, oppressed with
> anger—then even when he suffers a loss, he thinks, ‘I’ve gained a
> profit’; and even when he gains a profit, he thinks, ‘I’ve suffered a
> loss.’ When he has grabbed hold of these ideas that work in mutual
> opposition (to the truth), they lead to his long-term suffering &
> loss, all because he is overcome with anger. This is the third thing
> pleasing to an enemy, bringing about an enemy’s aim, that comes to a
> man or woman who is angry.
b.bodhi has:
> (3) “Again, an enemy wishes for an enemy: ‘May he not succeed!’ For
> what reason? An enemy does not delight in the success of an enemy.
> When an angry person is overcome and oppressed by anger, if he
> gets what is harmful, he thinks: ‘I have gotten what is beneficial,’
> and if he gets what is beneficial, he thinks: ‘I have gotten what is
> harmful.’ When, overcome by anger, he gets these things that are
> diametrically opposed, they lead to his harm and suffering for a long
> time. This is the third thing gratifying and advantageous to an enemy
> that comes upon an angry man or woman.
In the other 7 cases in the sutta, specifics are given so it's clear what the person who wants the enemy to suffer, how their anger sabotages their desire and tends to get the opposite result. In the case # 3 above however, it's not clear what the Buddha had in mind for specific examples. I can think of some hypothetical situations that would meet that criteria, but they would just be guesses.
Anyone think they know exactly what is meant here?
Asked by frankk
(2002 rep)
Jun 10, 2020, 11:32 AM
Last activity: Feb 4, 2025, 04:20 AM
Last activity: Feb 4, 2025, 04:20 AM