VIII. The Book of the Nines

Chapter III: Spheres of Beings

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Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Savatthī, at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park
there the Exalted One said this to the Monks:

"Monks, there are these nine ways of dispelling strife.

What nine?

(The thought):

'He has done me harm, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?' - dispels strife;

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so also the thoughts:

'He is doing me harm, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

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'he will do me harm, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

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'he has done harm to a dear and loved one of mine, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

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'he is doing harm to such an one, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

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'he will do harm to him, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

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'he has done good to one who is not dear or loved by me, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

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'he is doing good to such an one, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

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'he will do good to him, but wherein lies the gain to him from this?'

These, monks, are the nine bases of dispelling strife.'