Thus have I heard: At one time, the Blessed One was staying in Rājagaha, at the Squirrels' Feeding Ground in the Bamboo Grove.

At that time, there was a Brahmin of the Bhāradvāja clan whose wife was named Dhanañjānī. She had faith in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. One day, as Brahmin Dhanañjānī was serving food to Brahmin Bhāradvāja, she accidentally stumbled and exclaimed three times:

"Homage to the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One!

Homage to the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One!

Homage to the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One!"

Upon hearing this, Brahmin Bhāradvāja said to Brahmin Dhanañjānī, "You lowly woman, you're always praising that bald-headed monk at every opportunity. Now I'm going to debate with that teacher of yours."

Dhanañjānī replied, "Brahmin, I don't believe there's anyone in this world - including gods, Māras, Brahmās, ascetics, brahmins, deities, and humans - who can debate with the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One. But go, Brahmin, and you'll understand when you get there."

So, Brahmin Bhāradvāja, angry and displeased, went to see the Blessed One. After exchanging greetings, he sat down to one side. Then, Brahmin Bhāradvāja addressed the Blessed One in verse:

"By slaying what can one sleep soundly?

By slaying what does one not sorrow?

What is the one thing, O Gotama,

Whose killing you approve?"

The Blessed One replied in verse:

"By slaying anger, one sleeps soundly;

By slaying anger, one does not sorrow;

The killing of anger, O Brahmin,

With its poisoned root and honeyed tip:

This is the killing the noble ones praise,

For by slaying that, one does not sorrow."

When this was said, Brahmin Bhāradvāja said to the Blessed One: "Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! Just as if one were to set upright what was overturned, or to reveal what was hidden, or to show the way to one who was lost, or to hold up a lamp in the dark so that those with eyes could see forms, in the same way Master Gotama has made the Dhamma clear in many ways. I go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Sangha of monks. May I receive the going forth under Master Gotama, may I receive full ordination."

Then Brahmin Bhāradvāja indeed received the going forth under the Blessed One, and he received full ordination. And soon, not long after his full ordination, dwelling alone, withdrawn, diligent, ardent, and resolute, the Venerable Bhāradvāja realized for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, that unsurpassed goal of the holy life for the sake of which clansmen rightly go forth from home into homelessness. He directly knew: "Birth is ended, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming back to any state of being." And the Venerable Bhāradvāja became one of the Arahants.

This passage deeply illustrates several important Buddhist themes:

1. The power of faith: Dhanañjānī's strong faith in the Buddha's teachings is evident even in small incidents like stumbling. This shows that true faith is deeply ingrained and naturally manifests in daily life.

2. Prejudice and openness: Bhāradvāja's initial prejudice against the Buddha represents many people's rejection of the unknown. However, he ultimately chooses to meet the Buddha himself, an open-minded attitude worth learning from.

3. The power of wisdom: The Buddha answers Bhāradvāja's question with a short verse, demonstrating great wisdom. This tells us that truth is often simple yet profound.

4. The harm of anger: The Buddha points out that eliminating anger brings peace and happiness, a teaching that remains very important in modern society. Anger not only hurts others but also hurts oneself.

5. The possibility of transformation: Bhāradvāja's journey from hostility to conversion, and finally to becoming an Arahant, shows the great potential for human transformation. This gives us hope that no matter what state we're in now, it's possible to reach a higher state through effort.

6. The importance of practice: The final description of Bhāradvāja's diligent practice emphasizes the importance of implementation. Theoretical knowledge alone is not enough; it must be put into practice.

This passage inspires us to reflect: Do we, like Bhāradvāja, have prejudices against unknown things? Are we willing to put aside our preconceptions and experience the truth for ourselves? In our daily lives, can we control our anger and pursue inner peace?

At the same time, this story gives us hope: Even if we are currently full of prejudice and anger, as long as we are willing to change, learn, and practice, we too can experience a great transformation like Bhāradvāja and reach a higher spiritual state.

In this world full of contradictions and conflicts, the Buddha's teaching on eliminating anger is particularly important. If everyone could strive to control their anger, the world would become more peaceful and beautiful.

Finally, Bhāradvāja's path of practice reminds us that spiritual elevation requires continuous effort and focus. In this modern society full of temptations and distractions, we need to maintain focus and continue to make progress, like Bhāradvāja, in order to achieve spiritual accomplishment.