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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.
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
down himself. He motioned to Venerable Sariputta to sit on a low chair placed next to him. The Buddha spoke to Sariputta, “A bhikkhu
has accused you of knocking him down and not apologizing. Do you have anything to say about this?”
Venerable Sariputta stood and joined his palms. He bowed first to the Buddha and then to the community. He said, “Lord, a monk who
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
down a fellow monk and leave him there without apologizing.
“Lord, I still remember the lesson you gave fourteen years ago to Bhikkhu Rahula. He was only eighteen years old at the time. You
taught him to contemplate the nature of earth, water, fire, and air in order to nourish and develop the four virtues of loving kindness,
compassion, joy, and equanimity. Although your teaching was directed at Rahula, I learned from it also. I have made efforts to observe that
teaching throughout the past fourteen years and I have often thanked you inwardly.
“Lord, I have practiced to be more like earth. Earth is wide and open, and has the capacity to receive and transform. Whether people
toss pure and fragrant substances such as flowers, perfume, or fresh milk upon the earth, or toss unclean and foul-smelling substances such
as excrement, urine, blood, mucus, and spit upon it, the earth receives it all equally with neither grasping nor aversion.
“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,
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
not my way.
“Lord, I have practiced to be more like water. Whether someone pours fragrant substances or defiled substances into water, the water
receives them both without grasping or aversion. Water is immense and flowing and has the capacity to transform and purify. Respected
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
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
way.
“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
has the ability to burn, purify, and transform. Respected Buddha, I have contemplated to make my body and mind more like fire. 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 brother
monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is not my way.
“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
capacity to transform, purify, and release. Respected Buddha, I have contemplated to make my body and mind become more like the air.
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
brother monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is not my way.
“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 hold
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
daring to place myself higher than others. Respected Buddha, 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 brother monk and leave him without apologizing. Such is not my way.”
Venerable Sariputta was prepared to continue speaking, but his accuser could bear no more. He stood up and draped a corner of his
sanghati robe over his shoulder, and then bowed to the Buddha. With his palms joined, he confessed, “Lord Buddha, I have violated the
precepts. I have born false witness against Venerable Sariputta. I confess my transgression before you and the entire community. I vow to
observe my precepts in the future.”
The Buddha said, “It is good that you have confessed your transgression before the community. We accept your confession.”
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
to upset him in the past.”
The bhikkhu bowed to Sariputta with his palms joined. Sariputta returned his bow. Happiness filled the Dharma hall. Venerable Ananda
stood up and said, “Brother Sariputta, please stay with us for a few more days. Your brothers would welcome a chance to spend more
time with you.”
Venerable Sariputta smiled his acceptance.
With the retreat season over, the Buddha traveled to many villages in the countryside. One day he spoke in Kesaputta, a village which
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
opportunity they had to meet him in person.
One young man joined his palms and spoke, “Teacher, for a long time, many brahmana priests have come to Kesaputta in order to teach
their various doctrines. Each priest claims that his doctrine is superior to others’ doctrines. This has confused us. We do not know which