Whoever is responsible

will reap the fruits.

One time when the Buddha was in Sravasti, the body of a young woman who had been murdered was found buried on the monastery grounds. As rumors flew, townspeople began to question, even heckle, the monks on their rounds. The monks went to the Buddha for guidance.

He instructed them not to feel ashamed, that false accusations can occur at any time and will gradually fade. If people continued to question the monks, they were to respond that those responsible would reap the fruits.

Several days later, officials caught the murderers. Not only were the monastics exonerated, but the Buddha requested clemency for the guilty men. The Buddha’s responses throughout the incident were not to offer defenses but to remain calm and to continue teaching. Not to react in an agitated or vengeful manner but to understand that such fatal actions were due to hatred and jealousy.

We too need to understand the cause. And the results. And not worsen our own.