How to Remove Grudges

AN 5:161 How to Remove Grudges

Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi

There are, O monks, five ways of getting rid of a grudge, by means of which a monk can remove all grudges that have arisen within him. What five?

If a grudge arises towards any person, then one should cultivate loving-kindness towards him … or compassion … or equanimity. In that way one can remove the grudge towards that person.

Or one should pay no attention to him and give no thought to him. In that way one can remove the grudge.

Or one may apply to that person the fact of ownership of kamma: “This worthy person is the owner of his actions, the heir of his actions; his actions are the womb (from which he has sprung), his relations, and his protection. Whatever he does, good or bad, he will be heir to that.”

These are the five ways of getting rid of a grudge, by means of which a monk can remove all grudges that have arisen within him.