Contemplation of Anger: An Application of The Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta In Dispelling Anger

Abstract

One of the widely written literature on the contemplative aspects of Buddhism is mindfulness, and Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta is one of the most important discourses related to mindfulness practice. Although the Sutta itself clearly suggests dispelling anger as one of the benefits of cultivating mindfulness, the application of mindfulness practice in dispelling anger is a very little studied subject. There are two sections in Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta that are closely related to contemplation of anger, namely ‘contemplation of mind’ (cittānupassanā) and ‘contemplation of hindrance’ (nīvaraṇapabba). According to these sections, the contemplation of anger helps in dispelling anger in three main ways, that is by enabling one to know the presence of anger, to abandon it, and to avert verbal and bodily expressions of anger. This paper examines these two sections and their application in dispelling anger. The examination is based mainly upon the Pāḷi canonical texts. Some commentarial texts and works related to mindfulness practice are also used whenever deemed practically relevant.