Cattāri Brahmavihārā

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.

Tsunetomo Yamamoto, The Hagakure: A code to the way of samurai

Thanks to my boxing coach Maurepaz Auguste who imparted this piece of wisdom to me after I freaked out because I was worried about getting hit. If you’re in a fight you’re going to get hit so may as well relax and accept it. And, whether it’s rain drops or right hooks, rest assured that this lesson does apply to everything in life.

Once again, I’m shocked by how much wisdom there is in the martial traditions. Perhaps it shouldn’t be so surprising then that Lord Buddha was a member of the Khattiya or warrior class. It seems like I’ll need to do some more digging into the life of the Lord Buddha and the way in which his society was organized.