How a Monk Became Upset When His Name Was Not Called by Arahant Sāriputta (Dhammapada 95) Reflections by Bhante Dr. Chandima
1. Offence often comes from unmet expectations of recognition. The monk felt offended when Arahant Sāriputta did not call him by name, and his irritation deepened when the edge of Sāriputta’s robe accidentally touched his—turning a small incident into inner turmoil. Feeling unseen or unacknowledged triggered his resentment. Even today, many people feel offended when they are not greeted personally, not thanked publicly, or not given special recognition. This teaches us to watch our craving for validation, because peace cannot depend on being noticed. 2. Unwatched emotions grow into harmful actions. A small disappointment can quietly turn into resentment—and resentment into harsh words or blame. Anger rarely appears suddenly; it builds when feelings go unnoticed. If irritation is seen early, it can soften before it hardens into action. A moment of mindful pause creates space for wisdom, helping us respond with care instead of reaction, protecting both our own peace and the hearts of oth...