Stories on Kindness and Anger --from the Native American and Buddhist Traditions

Deer Medicine -- A Native American Teaching as told by Joe Johnston

The story is told of a terrible monster that was angry and cruel to everyone. Its trick was to never attack first, but if attacked, it killed!

It was so mean, it provoked every animal into attacking, and in a fight it would kill them all. Even if they came in peace, it would be so mean to them, they got mad and attacked it. It killed many animals. Snake tried to poison it, wolf tried to tear it with its teeth, bear tried to hit it with its mighty paws. But the monster was so terrible it killed them all.

Finally, deer approached the monster with nothing but gentle kindness. No matter what the monster did or said, deer only responded with kindness and good will. The monster became madder and madder. Still, deer was gentle and kind. At last the monster became so angry, it attacked itself, and died.

The Gift of Anger; Turning Arrows into Flowers –A Story of the Buddha

A man of Brahmin-jat became enraged hearing of the Buddha’s teachings and by those coming into his fold. In anger he sought to confront the Buddha. The man raged and exhorted expletives at the Buddha.

The Buddha sat calmly, attentively and contemplatively — and waited for the man to finish his outburst.

The Buddha then asked of the man:

“When you visit a man in his dwelling, are you not then accepting his hospitality?”

“Yes.” the man replied.

“Upon visiting, is it not customary to bring with you a gift?”

Again the man answered, “Yes.”

“If the gift is of no use to your host, is it not then returned to you?”

Once again, the response was, “Yes.”

The Buddha promptly responded: “I am not accepting gifts today. You may keep your gift of anger," and he closed the door.

As the Buddha was able to turn arrows into flowers, the man was so taken aback that he submitted to the Buddha and followed him the rest of his days.