I'm new to this group, just tried posting but the message didn't seem
to go through. So here's a second try...
The citation John asks about is from the first book of the Samyutta
(Sagaathaavagga), chapter 7, 1 2 (Alternately, SN 161-2. Cf. Bh. Bodhi
English edition, vol. 1 p.255f.) The following, however, is from the
PTS translation:
"Now the so-called `Reviler' [Bhaaradvaaja]... heard that the head of
his clan had left society to enter the order of Gautama the Recluse.
Vexed and displeased, he sought the presence of the [Buddha], and there
reviled and abused the Exalted One with rude and harsh speech. When he
had thus spoken, the Buddha said: `Do you, Brahmin,
receive visits from friends and colleagues, from your kin by blood or
by marriage, from guests?' `Yes, Master
Gautama, sometimes I do.' `But if they do not accept [your
hospitality], Brahmin, to whom do those things
go?' `If they do not accept, Master Gautama, those things go back to
us.' `Even so, Brahmin. That wherewith
you revile us who revile not, that we do not accept at your hands. It
is for you only!... It is as if you and your
visitors dined together and made good. We neither dine together with
you nor make good. It is for you only
Brahmin! It is only for you!'"
About me: I'm a 50-yr. old male of French Canadian heritage. I've been
studying Pali for about two years now, mostly on my own, with one
summer in Sri Lanka. I'm glad I found this busy list, and am content to
"lurk" for awhile-- and learn.
Dear Pali friends,
I have a question. Where does the following metaphor
appear in the Pali canon?
"A man comes to the Buddha and spews anger at him.
The Buddha asks
him, "If one prepares a meal for a guest, but the
guest declines to eat
it, to whom does the food belong?" The man replies,
"Well, to the
host, of course." The Buddha then concludes, "Just so
it is with
anger. If it is not received, then it is belongs only
to the
offerer."