I think it's interesting, which is applicable in work conflicts,
relationships etc... Please read:
Vepacitti Sutta: Calm in the Face of
Anger
This noble teaching on how to respond when faced with anger is
placed in a mythical setting. The story is told by the Buddha of a
great war between devas (gods) and asuras
(demons) that took place in ancient times. The devas are
ultimately victorious (as they are in the Greek and Norse versions
of the same myth) and capture Vepacitti, the ruler of the
asuras. Bound in chains, he is brought to Tavatimsa and
into the presence of Sakka, ruler of the gods.
Being the demon that he his, Vepacitti hurls a torrent of abuse
at his captor, calling him all sorts of insulting names (the
catalog of which in the commentary is most interesting). Sakka,
however, is unmoved, inspiring Matali, his charioteer, to begin the
following poetic exchange:
The poem is in the prevalent vatta meter, with eight syllables
per line, and contains much subtle word-play. For example, the
words bala (fool) and bala (strong) dance with one another
throughout the piece (appearing fully 17 times), nowhere more
intimately than in the frolicking alliteration of lines 31 and 32
(abalan-tam balam aahu yassa balaabalam balam). The
linking of the word titikkhati (forbearance) with the
similarly sounding tikicchati (healing) is also a poignant
touch that is hardly accidental.
This exchange shows well how the Buddha adapted the heroic
ideals of his warrior's heritage to the inner struggle for
self-mastery. The strength of the victorious Sakka lies in his
wisdom and forbearance. The weakness of the vanquished
asura comes from his lack of understanding (hence the
label 'fool'), which renders him helpless to resist the passions
raging within.
Though these verses were penned 2,500 years ago, the truth
behind them is timeless. It is the same that has helped many
non-violent social and political reform movements achieve dramatic
results in our own century. Conquest is only the apparent victory
of the short-sighted, while transformation of oneself and others is
the more lasting victory of the wise. Remaining unprovoked in the
face of anger and hostility still offers the best hope for healing
our troubled world.
[Matali:]
[Sakka:]
[Matali:]
[Sakka:]
[Matali:]
[Sakka:]