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Kakacūpama Sutta

The twenty first sutta of the Majjhimanikāya, taught to Moliya-Phagguna, who was reported to the Buddha for frequenting the society of nuns and losing his temper when reproached for so doing. A monk should not give way to anger even though he be sawn limb from limb with a two-handed saw (ubhatodaṇḍakena kakacena). The name of the sutta was given by the Buddha himself (M.i.122 ff).

The sutta contains the story of the lady of Sāvatthi, called Vedehikā, who had a reputation for gentleness until tested by her servant girl and found wanting. The saw is only one of numerous similes that occur in the discourse. It is quoted in the Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta (M.i.189), and is elsewhere (e.g., DA.i.123) given as an example of a sutta taught on account of someone’s lack of patience.