Angry Man Spits On The Buddha

The Buddha was sitting under a tree talking to his disciples when a man came and spit on his face. He wiped it off, and he asked the man, “What next? What do you want to say next?” The man was a little puzzled because he himself never expected that when you spit on somebody’s face, he will ask, “What next?” He had no such experience in his past. He had insulted people and they had become angry and they had reacted. Or if they were cowards and weaklings, they had smiled, trying to bribe the man. But Buddha was like neither, he was not angry nor in any way offended, nor in any way cowardly. But just matter-of-factly he said, “What next?” There was no reaction on his part.

Buddha’s disciples became angry, they reacted. His closest disciple, Ananda, said, “This is too much, and we cannot tolerate it. He has to be punished for it. Otherwise everybody will start doing things like this.”

Buddha said, “You keep silent. He has not offended me, but you are offending me. He is new, a stranger. He must have heard from people something about me, that this man is an atheist, a dangerous man who is throwing people off their track, a revolutionary, a corrupter. And he may have formed some idea, a notion of me. He has not spit on me, he has spit on his notion. He has spit on his idea of me because he does not know me at all, so how can he spit on me?

“If you think on it deeply,” Buddha said, “he has spit on his own mind. I am not part of it, and I can see that this poor man must have something else to say because this is a way of saying something. Spitting is a way of saying something. There are moments when you feel that language is impotent: in deep love, in intense anger, in hate, in prayer. There are intense moments when language is impotent. Then you have to do something. When you are angry, intensely angry, you hit the person, you spit on him, you are saying something. I can understand him. He must have something more to say, that’s why I’m asking, “What next?”

The man was even more puzzled! And Buddha said to his disciples, “I am more offended by you because you know me, and you have lived for years with me, and still you react.”

Puzzled, confused, the man returned home. He could not sleep the whole night. When you see a Buddha, it is difficult, impossible to sleep again the way you used to sleep before. Again and again he was haunted by the experience. He could not explain it to himself, what had happened. He was trembling all over and perspiring. He had never come across such a man; he shattered his whole mind and his whole pattern, his whole past.

The next morning he was back there. He threw himself at Buddha’s feet. Buddha asked him again, “What next? This, too, is a way of saying something that cannot be said in language. When you come and touch my feet, you are saying something that cannot be said ordinarily, for which all words are a little narrow; it cannot be contained in them.” Buddha said, “Look, Ananda, this man is again here, he is saying something. This man is a man of deep emotions.”

The man looked at Buddha and said, “Forgive me for what I did yesterday.”

Buddha said, “Forgive? But I am not the same man to whom you did it. The Ganges goes on flowing, it is never the same Ganges again. Every man is a river. The man you spit upon is no longer here. I look just like him, but I am not the same, much has happened in these twenty-four hours! The river has flowed so much. So I cannot forgive you because I have no grudge against you.”

“And you also are new. I can see you are not the same man who came yesterday because that man was angry and he spit, whereas you are bowing at my feet, touching my feet. How can you be the same man? You are not the same man, so let us forget about it. Those two people, the man who spit and the man on whom he spit, both are no more. Come closer. Let us talk of something else.”

The author of this story is unknown and greatly appreciated!

What is the Spiritual Moral / Meaning of the “Angry Man Spits On The Buddha” Story?

In the depths of this poignant tale lies a profound spiritual lesson, teaching us the transformative power of forgiveness and the impermanence of human identity. As the man spat upon the Buddha, he unknowingly spat upon his own perceptions and preconceptions, for he could not comprehend the depth of the Buddha’s compassion and understanding. In forgiving the man, the Buddha reveals the timeless truth that forgiveness is not merely an act of mercy towards others, but a liberation of the self from the burdens of resentment and bitterness.

Through the Buddha’s response, we are reminded of the importance of transcending the limitations of our own perceptions and biases. The man’s act of spitting was a reflection of his own inner turmoil and confusion, born out of ignorance and misunderstanding. In choosing to respond with compassion rather than condemnation, the Buddha invites us to look beyond surface appearances and recognize the inherent divinity within each individual, regardless of their actions or intentions.

The Buddha’s refusal to hold onto grudges or resentments underscores the spiritual principle of detachment and non-attachment. By acknowledging the ever-changing nature of existence, he teaches us that clinging to past grievances only serves to perpetuate suffering and hinder our own spiritual growth. In letting go of the past and embracing the present moment, we open ourselves up to the infinite possibilities of healing, reconciliation, and renewal.

In the man’s return to seek forgiveness, we witness the transformative power of humility and remorse. His willingness to confront his own actions and seek redemption reflects a profound shift in consciousness, a recognition of his own capacity for growth and transformation. Through his act of contrition, he demonstrates the inherent potential within each of us to rise above our past mistakes and embrace a path of spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

The Buddha’s analogy of the river serves as a poignant reminder of the fluidity and impermanence of human identity. Just as the river is ever-changing and flowing, so too are we constantly evolving and transforming with each passing moment. In recognizing the transient nature of the self, we are liberated from the confines of ego and illusion, allowing us to embrace the boundless expanse of our true nature.

Through the act of bowing at the Buddha’s feet, the man symbolizes a surrendering of the ego and a recognition of the divine presence within himself and others. In humbling himself before the Buddha, he acknowledges the interconnectedness of all beings and the inherent unity that transcends individual differences. In this moment of surrender, he discovers a profound sense of peace and wholeness that transcends the limitations of the egoic mind.

Ultimately, the story of the man who spat upon the Buddha serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of compassion, forgiveness, and spiritual awakening. Through his unwavering commitment to love and understanding, the Buddha illuminates the path towards healing and reconciliation, inviting us all to awaken to the inherent divinity within ourselves and others. In embracing the timeless truths of forgiveness and compassion, we unlock the doors to our own liberation and discover the infinite potential of the human spirit to transcend suffering and embody the highest truths of our existence.

Personal Reflection Questions

Spiritual stories are an opportunity to reflect on your own life. Here are 10 questions you can use to go deeper with the teachings in this story:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt misunderstood or misrepresented by others. How did their perceptions of you affect your own sense of identity and self-worth?
2. Consider the Buddha’s response to the man who spat upon him. How does his ability to remain calm and detached in the face of insult challenge your own reactions to adversity?
3. Explore the concept of forgiveness as depicted in the story. How does the Buddha’s refusal to hold onto grudges or resentments inspire you to release any lingering bitterness or anger in your own life?
4. Reflect on the role of compassion and empathy in the Buddha’s interactions with others. How does his ability to see beyond surface actions and understand the deeper motivations of individuals inspire you to cultivate greater compassion in your own relationships?
5. Consider the transformative power of self-awareness and introspection as illustrated by the man’s journey of self-discovery. How does his encounter with the Buddha prompt him to confront his own actions and attitudes, leading to a profound shift in consciousness?
6. Explore the theme of impermanence as depicted in the story. How does the Buddha’s analogy of the river serve as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of existence and the potential for growth and renewal?
7. Reflect on the significance of humility and surrender in the man’s act of bowing at the Buddha’s feet. How does his gesture of reverence symbolize a willingness to relinquish ego and embrace a path of spiritual awakening and transformation?
8. Consider the role of mindfulness and presence in the Buddha’s interactions with others. How does his ability to remain fully present in each moment enable him to respond with wisdom and compassion, even in the face of adversity?
9. Reflect on the theme of acceptance and letting go as depicted in the story. How does the Buddha’s refusal to dwell on past grievances and resentments invite you to release any attachments that may be holding you back from experiencing true peace and freedom?
10. Consider the overarching message of the story and its relevance to your own spiritual journey. How does the Buddha’s example of compassion, forgiveness, and self-awareness inspire you to cultivate greater wisdom and love in your own life?