The Inscription

The Inscription.“Bhikkhus, these three types of individuals exist, are found in the world. Which three? The individual like an inscription on rock, the individual like an inscription on earth, the individual like an inscription on water. And which, bhikkhus, is the individual like an inscription on rock? Here, bhikkhus, a certain individual frequently gets angry. And that anger of his persists for a long time. Just as, bhikkhus, an inscription on rock is not quickly erased by wind or water, but lasts for a long time; even so, bhikkhus, a certain individual here frequently gets angry. And that anger of his persists for a long time. This, bhikkhus, is called the individual like an inscription on rock. “And which, bhikkhus, is the individual like an inscription on earth? Here, bhikkhus, a certain individual frequently gets angry. And that anger of his does not persist for a long time. Just as, bhikkhus, an inscription on earth is quickly erased by wind or water, it does not last for a long time; even so, bhikkhus, a certain individual here frequently gets angry. And that anger of his does not persist for a long time. This, bhikkhus, is called the individual like an inscription on earth. “And which, bhikkhus, is the individual like an inscription on water? Here, bhikkhus, a certain individual, even when spoken to harshly, even when spoken to roughly, even when spoken to disagreeably, still reconciles, still unites, still becomes agreeable. Just as, bhikkhus, a line on water quickly disappears and does not remain long; even so, bhikkhus, a certain individual here, though spoken to harshly, roughly, or disagreeably, still reconciles, unites, and becomes agreeable. This, bhikkhus, is called a person like a line on water. These three individuals, bhikkhus, exist and are found in the world.The Buddha's words/Lekhasutta.