Weekly Newsletter: Hot Coal

     The Buddha said that “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”[1] Stone Eight talks about releasing emotions that we deem harmful to our spiritual path, and for the most part, anger is one of those emotions that often does more harm than good.
     Religious extremists must see anger as a positive emotion because they use it to stir people to action. Unfortunately, that action often results in hatred that may even lead to senseless killings and wars. Some preachers and evangelists have used a style of delivery that makes them sound angry — often shouting to get their point across. I suppose they justify their behavior as righteous indignation or righteous wrath, but I don’t like that style and disagree with that method.
            Does the use of anger create a loving world, or a world that is more divided and torn? To me the answer seems obvious. And, unfortunately, those who justify the use of anger and hatred to “make the world a better place” are the ones holding the hot coals of anger, and they are the ones who will ultimately get burned.


[1] Young, Christopher (2012-04-12). Buddha Quotes - 365 Days of Inspirational Quotes and Sayings in Buddhism (Kindle Locations 292-293).  . Kindle Edition.