Helpful Enemies

Helpful Enemies

As Shantideva says, there are many beings to whom one can make charity, but there are very few beings with respect to whom one can practice patience, and what is more rare is more valuable. An enemy is really most kind. Through cultivating patience one's power of merit increases, and the practice of patience can only be done in dependence upon an enemy. For this reason, enemies are the main instigators of the increase of meritorious power. An enemy is not someone who prevents the practice of religion but someone who helps practice.

-The Dalai Lama, The Meaning of Life from a Buddhist Perspective

Cessation of Hatred

Cessation of Hatred II

Hatred is far worse than any ordinary enemy. Of course, ordinary enemies
harm us: that is why we call them enemies. But the harm they do is not
just in order to make us unhappy it is also meant to be of some help to
themselves or their friends. Hatred, the inner enemy, however, has no
other function but to destroy our positive actions and make us unhappy.
That is why Shantideva calls it "My foe, whose sole intention is to
bring me sorrow." From the moment it first appears, it exists for the
sole purpose of harming us. So we should confront it with all the means
we have, maintain a peaceful state of mind, and avoid getting upset.

- The Dalai Lama, /Tricycle: The Buddhist Review/, Vol. II, #2