Tissa

The Buddha's cousin is sitting there, "...miserable, sorrowful, with tears streaming down..." The other monk's sharp words towards him have hurt him. The Buddha points out that he can admonist others, but can't take it back. He supposedly utters the following poem:

“Why are you angry? Don’t be angry!

It’s better to not be angry, Tissa.

For this spiritual life is lived

in order to remove anger, conceit, and denigration.” (SN 21 9)

Tissa is fragile, brittle, can't take criticism, but he likes to criticize others. 

Tissa is the Buddha's cousin. In another episode (SN 22 84 (Sujato)

, Thanissaro Bhikkhu) he feels drugged with sloth and torpor. The Buddha teaches him about the lust for the aggregates, the 5 skandhas, a basic foundational teaching. The Buddha compared the untutored person with one who practices the Dharma. The Buddha is there to guide Tissa. "Rejoice, Tissa, rejoice! I’m here to advise you, to support you, and to teach you.” And I guess Tissa is inspired, and goes back to his dedicated practice.

It's a glimpse of the Buddha pushing people to keep going. The Buddha can guide us too, with the preserved words and stories. We can support each other on this difficult journey. That is the hope for sangha, and why I take refuge in the sangha jewel. It's the opportunity to give to others, focus them, inspire them, reinforce them. Sometimes you need help from others.