A common Buddhist saying is that “Everyone is your teacher,” including those you don’t like. A famous example of this is the story told about Atisha, the revered Buddhist master who lived in ancient India. When he traveled to Tibet, he was accompanied by a tea boy who was irritating, incompetent, and generally unpleasant. When asked by his students why he continued to employ such a wearisome person, Atisha surprised them when he responded, “He’s my greatest teacher.” You can take the same attitude toward your difficult family members and friends. Rather than regard them as an obstacle to be overcome or a nuisance to be avoided, you can remember who they really are—your greatest teachers, showing you your greatest challenges.
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From Happy Relationships: 25 Buddhist Practices to Transform Your Connections with Your Partner, Family, and Friends by Kimberly Brown (Prometheus Books, 2025).