Buddha was travelling through the country accompanied by several people. One of these men decided to test Buddha and began responding negatively to everything Buddha said. For several days this man continued with disparaging, insulting and hurtful remarks. He verbally abused Buddha by calling him a fool and ridiculing him in any way he could.

After verbally abusing Buddha for three days, the man asked Buddha, “how can you continue to be so kind and loving when all I’ve done for the last three days is dishonor and offend you? With every rude and obnoxious remark you have always responded in a kind manner – How can this be?”

Buddha quietly turned to the man and asked this simple – yet profound question, “If someone offers you a gift, and you do not accept that gift, to whom the gift belongs?”

So if someone is offering you an unwelcome gift of rudeness, anger or hostility – Don’t accept it. As long as you do not accept it, there is no reason for you to be sad or angry about it as it does not belong to you – it belongs to them.

-Author Unknown