320. As an elephant in the battlefield withstands arrows shot from bows all around, even so shall I endure abuse. There are many, indeed, who lack virtue.
321. A tamed elephant is led into a crowd, and the king mounts a tamed elephant. Best among men is the subdued one who endures abuse.
These are some of my favorite verses from the Dhammapada and have often inspired me when the going was rough. For whatever reason I have always been enchanted with the idea of developing the parami of khanti (patient forbearance) but always viewed it as if it were in a vacuum. At best, I envisioned the cultivation of patient-forbearance as the step-child of upekkha. So, I was naturally delighted when I stumbled across the following:
“The Most Venerable Man-lei Sayadaw wrote about these two perfections in his book, The Four Dhammas of Conduct:
Mettāluko khamāsīlo, sabbatthānesu nibbayo,
Paratthatattha micchanto, khantin metteca bhāvaye.
What this means is that the more loving-kindness one can develop, the stronger patience will become, and the more patience a person has, the more loving-kindness he or she will develop.With these two perfections, such a person gains eleven benefits, which are described in the Metta Sutta of the Aṅguttara Nikāya, sutta number 11.16:
One sleeps easily, wakes easily, dreams no evil dreams; one is dear to human beings and dear to non-human beings; the devas protect one; neither fire, poison, nor weapons can touch one; one’s mind gains concentration quickly; one’s complexion is bright; one dies unconfused and — if penetrating no higher — is headed for the Brahma worlds. Without these two perfections, however, one will find it difficult to refrain from anger. As a result, he or she will have many enemies and always be at risk, regardless of time or place. No matter where such a person hides, he will be unable to escape the results of his unwholesome kamma. So if you’ve had enough ‘bad luck’ in your life and want to be free from harm, all you have to do is practice patience and loving-kindness. This is a proven fact that you can experience yourself, if you take the time to put these two perfections into practice.Now, in order to cultivate patient-forbearance and loving-kindness, the first thing we need to understand is that all beings want to be happy. I want to be happy, and you want to be happy.Therefore, if I wish for my own happiness but not for yours, am I being fair to you? Should I not also wish for your happiness? And if I wish for your happiness but not my own, am I being fair to myself? Should I not also wish for my own happiness?”
Eminently practical advice to be sure but we all must admit that it can sometimes seem to be easier said than done. But, upon deeper consideration, what is truly harder? To live a live devoid of the glue of loving-kindness or one in which we meet all beings with gentleness and understanding? Happy uposatha everyone! Be well.
Source:
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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