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he spoke about the relation of the four elements to the five aggregates in an original way, based on the fruits of his own practice.<br />
When the Buddha entered the Dharma hall, all the bhikkhus rose to their feet. He motioned for them to be seated again and then sat<br />
down himself. He motioned to Venerable Sariputta to sit on a low chair placed next to him. The Buddha spoke to Sariputta, “A bhikkhu<br />
has accused you of knocking him down and not apologizing. Do you have anything to say about this?”<br />
Venerable Sariputta stood and joined his palms. He bowed first to the Buddha and then to the community. He said, “Lord, a monk who<br />
does not practice, who does not contemplate the body in the body, who is not mindful of the actions of the body, such a monk could knock<br />
down a fellow monk and leave him there without apologizing.<br />
“Lord, I still remember the lesson you gave fourteen years ago to Bhikkhu Rahula. He was only eighteen years <strong>old</strong> at the time. You<br />
taught him to contemplate the nature of earth, water, fire, and air in order to nourish and develop the four virtues of loving kindness,<br />
compassion, joy, and equanimity. Although your teaching was directed at Rahula, I learned from it also. I have made efforts to observe that<br />
teaching throughout the past fourteen years and I have often thanked you inwardly.<br />
“Lord, I have practiced to be more like earth. Earth is wide and open, and has the capacity to receive and transform. Whether people<br />
toss pure and fragrant substances such as flowers, perfume, or fresh milk upon the earth, or toss unclean and foul-smelling substances such<br />
as excrement, urine, blood, mucus, and spit upon it, the earth receives it all equally with neither grasping nor aversion.<br />
“Lord, I have contemplated to make my mind and body more like the earth. A monk who does not contemplate the body in the body,<br />
who is not mindful of the actions of the body, such a monk could knock down a brother monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is<br />
not my way.<br />
“Lord, I have practiced to be more like water. Whether someone pours fragrant substances or defiled substances into water, the water<br />
receives them both without grasping or aversion. Water is immense and flowing and has the capacity to transform and purify. Respected<br />
Buddha, I have contemplated to make my body and mind more like water. A monk who does not contemplate the body in the body, who<br />
is not mindful of the actions of the body, such a monk could knock down a brother monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is not my<br />
way.<br />
“Lord, I have practiced to be more like fire. Fire burns all things, the beautiful as well as the impure, without grasping or aversion. Fire<br />
has the ability to burn, purify, and transform. Respected Buddha, I have contemplated to make my body and mind more like fire. A monk<br />
who does not contemplate the body in the body, who is not mindful of the actions of the body, such a monk could knock down a brother<br />
monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is not my way.<br />
“Lord, I have practiced to be more like air. The air carries all manner of smells, good and bad, without grasping or aversion. Air has the<br />
capacity to transform, purify, and release. Respected Buddha, I have contemplated to make my body and mind become more like the air.<br />
A monk who does not contemplate the body in the body, who is not mindful of the actions of the body, such a monk could knock down a<br />
brother monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is not my way.<br />
“Lord, like a small untouchable child with tattered clothes who clasps a bowl and begs in the street for scraps of food, I practice to h<strong>old</strong><br />
no false pride or arrogance. I have tried to make my heart like the heart of an untouchable child’s heart. I have tried to practice humility, not<br />
daring to place myself higher than others. Respected Buddha, a monk who does not contemplate the body in the body, who is not mindful<br />
of the actions of the body, such a monk could knock down a brother monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is not my way.”<br />
Venerable Sariputta was prepared to continue speaking, but his accuser could bear no more. He stood up and draped a corner of his<br />
sanghati robe over his shoulder, and then bowed to the Buddha. With his palms joined, he confessed, “Lord Buddha, I have violated the<br />
precepts. I have born false witness against Venerable Sariputta. I confess my transgression before you and the entire community. I vow to<br />
observe my precepts in the future.”<br />
The Buddha said, “It is good that you have confessed your transgression before the community. We accept your confession.”<br />
Venerable Sariputta joined his palms and said, “I bear no grudge against my brother, and I ask him to forgive anything I may have done<br />
to upset him in the past.”<br />
The bhikkhu bowed to Sariputta with his palms joined. Sariputta returned his bow. Happiness filled the Dharma hall. Venerable Ananda<br />
stood up and said, “Brother Sariputta, please stay with us for a few more days. Your brothers would welcome a chance to spend more<br />
time with you.”<br />
Venerable Sariputta smiled his acceptance.<br />
With the retreat season over, the Buddha traveled to many villages in the countryside. One day he spoke in Kesaputta, a village which<br />
belonged to the Kalama clan. Many young people gathered to hear him. They had all heard about the Monk Gautama but this was the first<br />
opportunity they had to meet him in person.<br />
One young man joined his palms and spoke, “Teacher, for a long time, many brahmana priests have come to Kesaputta in order to teach<br />
their various doctrines. Each priest claims that his doctrine is superior to others’ doctrines. This has confused us. We do not know which