Saṁyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
XXI. Bhikkhu Saṁyutta
II. The Nidana Book
21. The Kindred Sayings about Brethren
Sutta 9
Tissa
Tissa
[281] [191]
Thus have I heard:
The Exalted One was once staying near Savatthī at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
Now the venerable Tissa, nephew to the Exalted One's father,1 went into the presence of the Exalted One, saluted him, and took his seat beside him, unhappy, sorrowful, the tears rolling down.
Then the Exalted One said this: —
'What is it, Tissa, that you sit there unhappy, sorrowful, the tears rolling down?'
'It's because the brethren, lord, with one accord have been abusing and teasing me.'2
'That is because, Tissa, thou wilt do the talking, and dost not bear with their talk.
Not meet is it for thee, Tissa, a clansman who in faith didst leave the world, the home for the homeless, to be the talker and not suffer the talk of others.
Meet it is for such as thee, if thou be the talker, to suffer also that others talk.'3
The Exalted One spake this.
The Well-farer so saying, the Master spake this yet further: —
Now why be wrath? Nay, Tissa, be not wrath!
To bear no anger, this is best for thee.
Yea, to suppress anger, conceit and guile —4
For this we live the living that's divine.
1 See Pss. of the Brethren, p. 43; cf. below, iii (text), p. 106.
2 On this stock Pali phrase see JPTS, 1909-10, s.v. sañjambhari, Dialogues i, 255; A. i, 187. See *Sañjambhariṅ karoti.
3 The Comy. explains that he appeared in the Order smartly attired, and still gave himself the airs of a young noble, not carrying out the duties of a novice. An original 'Jātaka' is added.
4 Reading kodha-māna-maccha-vinaya-.