Just as a mighty boulder
stirs not with the wind,
so the wise are never moved
either by praise or blame.
Explanation: The wise remain unmoved and unruffled both by praise and humiliation. The wise remain unshaken under all vicissitudes of life, like the solid rock that withstands the buffetings of wind, unmoved.
The Story of Venerable Lakuntaka Bhaddiya (Verse 81)
While residing at the Jetavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke this verse, with reference to Venerable Bhaddiya.
Bhaddiya was one of the monks staying at the Jetavana Monastery Because of his short stature he was known as Lakuntaka (the dwarf) to other monks. Lakuntaka Bhaddiya was very good natured; even young monks would often tease him by pulling his nose or his ear, or by patting him on his head. Very often they would jokingly say, “Uncle, how are you? Are you happy or are you bored with your life here as a monk?” Lakuntaka Bhaddiya never retaliated in anger, or abused them; in fact, even in his heart he did not get angry with them.
When told about the patience of Lakuntaka Bhaddiya, the Buddha said, “An arahat never loses his temper, he has no desire to speak harshly or to think ill of others. He is like a mountain of solid rock; as a solid rock is unshaken, so also, an arahat is unperturbed by scorn or by praise.”