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Theragāthā on Conceit and Anger: Lower Yourself and the Mind Stands Firm
Training the mind

Theragāthā on Conceit and Anger: Lower Yourself and the Mind Stands Firm

Pahīnamānassa anāsavassa

Verses of seven elders on conceit and anger: humbling yourself when others exalt themselves, conceit that keeps the mind from stillness, the sense of urgency of one once arrogant, a Dhamma speaker who doesn't exalt himself or put others down, a mind like a mountain that isn't angered, and friendship with all beings.

7 points

In the Theragāthā of the Khuddaka Nikāya, several elders speak from experience about conceit (māna) and anger (dosa). This page gathers the verses of Piyañjaha and Setuccha (Book of Ones), Usabha, Khitaka, Brahmāli and Visākha Pañcāliputta (Book of Twos), and Revata (Book of Fourteens).

This page places verses on conceit and anger together, because a mind that holds the self high is easily angered when struck. In the verses, one who has abandoned conceit has faculties calmed like well-tamed horses and a mind that stands like a rock mountain.

In the Thai translation, Usabha's verses are told as a dream, an explanation following the commentary. The Pāli verses say only that he entered the village sitting on an elephant's neck, got down, and felt a sense of urgency.

  1. 1

    When others exalt themselves, be humble Uppatantesu nipate

    Piyañjaha says: when others rise up, sink down; when others sink, rise up. When others do not live the holy life, live it; when others delight in sensual pleasures, don't delight.

    Applying it in daily life

    In a conversation where everyone competes to show off their achievements, be the one who listens and asks follow-up questions. When those around you are discouraged, be the one who still has heart.

  2. 2

    Conceit deceives the mind out of stillness Mānena vañcitāse

    Setuccha says those deceived by conceit, defiled in formations and agitated by gain and loss, do not attain concentration.

    Applying it in daily life

    If, while meditating or working, the mind keeps circling back to "how do others see me," recognise that as conceit and bring it back to what is in front of you.

  3. 3

    Getting down from the elephant's neck, feeling urgency Sohaṃ ditto tadā santo

    Usabha (in the Book of Twos) says he wore his robe, the colour of young mango leaves, over one shoulder and entered the village for alms sitting on an elephant's neck. Getting down from the elephant, he felt a sense of urgency. Once arrogant, he became calm and attained the destruction of the taints.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you see an inflated image of yourself — in a post or in a job title — take it as a signal to get down from your own "elephant's neck."

  4. 4

    Faculties calmed like well-tamed horses Assā yathā sārathinā sudantā

    Brahmāli says: one whose faculties have become calm like horses well tamed by a charioteer, who has abandoned conceit, is free of taints and steady — even the deities cherish such a one. Then he says his own faculties have become calm in that way.

    Applying it in daily life

    People who don't need to prove themselves all the time are often the ones others want to be near. Notice how many times today you tried to prove yourself.

  5. 5

    Not exalting yourself, not putting others down Na ukkhipe no ca parikkhipe pare

    Visākha Pañcāliputta says a speaker of Dhamma should not exalt himself, should not disparage others, should not attack one who has gone beyond, should not speak his own praises in assemblies, should be unagitated, measured in speech and humble in conduct. Nibbāna is not hard to reach for such a one.

    Applying it in daily life

    When training others or explaining something you know well, cut sentences that elevate yourself, such as "back when I did it...," and avoid comparisons that make the listener feel inferior.

  6. 6

    A mind like a mountain, not angered by provocation Kuppanīye na kuppati

    Khitaka says: whose mind stands like a rock mountain and does not tremble, dispassionate toward what arouses lust, not angry at what provokes anger — when the mind is developed like this, from where will suffering come? Then he says his own mind is like that.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you meet a provocative message or remark, take three slow breaths before replying. That short pause is where the mountain begins to stand firm.

  7. 7

    A friend to all beings Sabbamitto sabbasakho

    Revata says that since going forth he has not known a thought connected with hatred — "may these beings be killed, harmed, suffer." He knows only loving-kindness, well developed step by step; he is a friend and companion to all beings, delighting in harmlessness.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you catch yourself inwardly cursing someone, even just "I hope it happens to them too," change it to "may they stop harming others." Justice can still stand without your mind burning.

Try it in daily life

Much everyday anger comes from feeling "they didn't respect me." If we can lower the importance of ourselves a little, the same event hurts the mind far less.

Reducing conceit doesn't mean letting others take advantage of you or putting yourself down. The elders in these verses still speak the truth and stand for what is right; they just don't do it to protect their self-image.

If anger often gets out of control or hurts your family, consulting a professional is also a form of self-training.

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