The Anger Control Mechanism of Sati

In modern psychiatry, dysfunctional anger expression is viewed as the result of cognitive function and is classified as an emotion that is difficult to control. In Buddhism, anger is treated as a basic defilement, and it is believed that a meditative practitioner can control anger by sati. This paper examines when and how sati can be involved in the process of anger. In this study, the process of anger generation is considered based on the Pali literature and previous studies. The process of controlling anger is discussed based on the Salla sutta in the Majjhima Nikāya. Anger is the first arrow that occurs naturally when there are corresponding conditions. However, if one does not properly deal with the anger that has already occurred, one will be hit with a second arrow. The second arrow is not anger; instead, its main characteristic is the thought of anger. To be swayed and depressed by such ideas is to create a fertile soil that sprouts anger. The first arrow of anger is inevitable. However, by controlling the perception of anger, sati allows anger itself to be experienced as it is and prevents an unwholesome flow of perception. Even if one fails to stop this unwholesome flow and is hit by a second arrow, the patient application of sati weakens the influence of thoughts about anger and prevents the seeds of anger from being sown. Thus, when an emotion that has already occurred is itself the subject, a question arises: will one just let its power weaken itself, or will one’s thoughts against the emotion become the subject and be swept away by it? According to this study, sati seems to be able to control anger if it is involved in the process of recognizing anger. However, considering the fiery nature of anger, it does not seem easy for modern people to practice sati towards anger. Additional research is needed to determine ways that modern people can engage in this practice. This study is meaningful in that it attempted a challenging exploration of whether the intense emotion of anger can be controlled by sati according to the Pali literature and confirmed this possibility.