Shantideva was an Indian philosopher and monk who preached ideas of virtue and promoted many basic principles of Buddhism. Among the many themes he raises in A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, there is an exploration of the nature of patience, which is often the result of reflection on the world. He discusses what hatred is and why only patience can combat it. In addition, the author classifies hatred as a significant evil because it often clouds people’s minds and essentially nullifies all efforts to show good emotions. Santideva emphasizes that only patience can counteract and reflect on how the relationship between these two forces is arranged. Patience always wins because, during meditation, the bright, intelligent feelings are revealed, unencumbered by impulsiveness and stupidity.
Santideva speaks of patience as something that can be achieved through meditation and reflection on one’s feelings. The restlessness of the mind is why hatred prevails over other surfaces, and people cannot be incapable of expressing light feelings and tranquility. The good deeds done by people in the name of the Buddha can be instantly forgotten if the mind is overwhelmed by hatred, and Santideva warns of the danger. He argues that no evil can be justified because it leads to painful feelings. The author also points out that joy and happiness will not be available to people whose minds are seized by hatred. Sleep will become forbidden sweet fruit because a restless mind will not allow the painful thoughts of hatred to subside.
Santideva believes that kindness and meditative acceptance of the Buddha’s virtue are the keys to perfection. The methods by which enlightenment can be attained are varied, but meditation is the only way to go all the way for the thinker. The needles of anger that torment the heart can only be broken when the mind becomes free and calm and the soul understands the human nature of the offense.
For Santideva, patience is one of the main characteristics of a faithful follower of Buddhist ideas. It is evident in the language used to indicate the critical need for patience. This quality of man, according to Santideva, is a way of overcoming the anger and evil thoughts that can accompany the path to true virtue. He points out the impossibility of combining joyful ideas with the illnesses of the mind that cause anxiety and anger. Although the philosopher does not explicitly refer to anger as a disease, it is evident that this feeling is the most fearful and sinister. Again, patience becomes the key, the ascesis for defeating hatred.
Peace is not attainable and is as far away for the angry person as the Buddha’s blessing. Without knowing pleasure and joy, one is deeply unhappy, and only meditation can help one achieve patience and love for that which causes anger and hatred. Santideva speaks of hate as an aggravation to which desperate people come is they are unaware of the remedy of meditation and reflection.
Thus, the analyzed passage in Santideva’s philosophical treatise expresses the author’s ideas and thoughts on why patience is the primary way to deal with anger. He argues that anger robs one of sleep and joy, and it is impossible to enjoy life. For Santideva, meditation is the most important practice that will ultimately conquer evil and allow one to come to the patient attainment of enlightenment.