Buddhist Stories: Pathika the Naked Ascetic, Part 3 of 4

“Very early in the morning, （Buddha）took a bowl and robe and went straight to the house of the great female lay disciple. When the Teacher had finished His meal, the Teacher, with His own sweet voice, began the address of rejoicing. The lay disciple listened to the teaching of the Dharma and applauded the Teacher… Unable to control himself, he remarked, ‘She is my disciple no longer!’ And the naked ascetic reviled both the female lay disciple and the Teacher in all manner of ways, and then ran off.” “The lay disciple was so embarrassed by the naked ascetic’s insulting words. So the Teacher said, ‘One should not consider the talk of such a contrary person; one should pay no attention to such as he; one should regard only what one has committed and omitted to do.’ ‘Not the faults of others, nor what they did and did not. But in oneself should be sought things done and left undone.’” I’m also pleased to see you and can be of some service, and remind you of the good ways to practice. But I’m more pleased if you put them into practice. The ancient wisdom, you read, you heard about it, but you must practice.