1. The Story of Thera Angulimala

    3 February 7, 2023

    Verse 173: He who overwhelms with good the evil that he has done lights up this world (with the light of Magga Insight), as does the moon freed from clouds.

    1. kusalena: with good deed; the good in this context means Arahatta Magga, the fourth and final Path knowledge. (The Commentary)

    The Story of Thera Angulimala

    While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (173) of this book, with reference to Thera Angulimala.

    Angulimala was the son of the Head Priest in the court of King Pasenadi of Kosala. His original name was Ahimsaka. When he was of age, he was sent to Taxila, a renowned university town. Ahimsaka was intelligent and was also obedient to his teacher. So he was liked by the teacher and his wife; as a result, other pupils were jealous of him. So they went to the teacher and falsely reported that Ahimsaka was having an affair with the teacher’s wife. At first, the teacher did not believe them, but after being told a number of times he believed them; and so he vowed to have revenge on the boy. To kill the boy would reflect badly on him; so he thought of a plan which was worse than murder. He told Ahimsaka to kill one thousand men or women and in return he promised to give the boy priceless knowledge. The boy wanted to have this knowledge, but was very reluctant to take life. However, he agreed to do as he was told.

    Thus, he kept on killing people, and not to lose count, he threaded a finger each of everyone he killed and wore them like a garland round his neck. In this way, he was known as Angulimala, and became the terror of the countryside. The king himself heard about the exploits of Angulimala, and he made preparations to capture him. When Mantani, the mother of Angulimala, heard about the king’s intention, out of love for her son, she went into the forest in a desperate bid to save her son. By this time, the chain round the neck of Angulimala had nine hundred and ninety-nine fingers in it, just one finger short of one thousand. Continue reading →

  2. Angulimala — The Murderer Who Became a Saint

    Comment January 1, 2021

    King Pasenadi’s chaplain was a learned but superstitious Brahmin named Bhaggava Gagga. It was his job to cast horoscopes, advise about the best time to embark on various projects and ward off evil influences with spells and mantras. He was filled with joy when his wife gave birth to a boy, but when the baby’s horoscope was drawn up, his joy turned to dread. The horoscope indicated that the boy would grow up with criminal tendencies. Filled with superstitious fear, the parents decided to name the boy Ahimsaka, ‘Harmless’ in the hope that this would counter the influence of the stars. “The boy grew up into a fine youth who was good at his studies and obedient to his parents. But to make sure that the boy would never turn bad, they constantly stressed to him the importance of obeying them and doing what he was told.

    Eventually, he left home for Taxila to do his higher studies. In those days, young Brahmins would go to Taxila and live in the house of a learned Brahmin to learn traditional lore and in return, work in his home. The relationship would be like that between father and son. Ahimsaka was a particularly obedient student which earned him special attention from his teacher but it also created jealousy in the other students. They decided to try to turn the teacher against Ahimsaka. According to plan, they went one by one to the teacher and whispered that his favourite student was trying to usurp his position. At first the teacher dismissed this as nonsense, but gradually the seeds of doubt were sown, and they eventually sprouted into suspicion and the teacher became convinced of Ahimsaka’s hostility to him. “This young man is strong in body and quite capable of doing me harm. I must get rid of him and make sure he never comes back,” he thought to himself. One day, the teacher called Ahimsaka and said: “You have successfully finished your studies, now you must bring me my fee.” “Certainly,” said Ahimsaka. ” What do you demand as your fee?” “You must bring me a thousand first fingers from the human hand.” “Surely you don’t require this of me?” responded the horrified Ahimsaka. “You have taken from me and in return you must now do my bidding. Go now and bring a thousand fingers.” The teacher’s hope was, of course, that in the process of carrying out this task Ahimsaka would be killed and he would never have to see him again. Continue reading →

  3. Angulimala reciting a Paritta blessing

    Comment July 27, 2016

    Angulimala reciting a Paritta blessing for a woman in the throes of childbirth

    39. Angulimala reciting a Paritta blessing for a woman in the throes of childbirth

    Angulimala led a peaceful life after he had become a monk. But most of the people were still scared of him and dared not approach him on his alms-round. He therefore found it difficult to get enough food for his meals. One day as he went on his alms-round, he saw a woman in the throes of childbirth. Moved by compassion, he reported this pathetic case to the Buddha who then taught him the Angulimala Paritta in Pali which means:—” Sister, from the day I was born of the Noble Birth, (i.e., since my Ordination), I have not consciously deprived any living being of life. By this truth may health be to thee and thy unborn child”. He studied this Paritta, and going to the presence of the suffering sister sat on a seat separated from her by a screen and made this asseveration by reciting the Paritta in Pali. Instantly she was delivered of the child with great ease. After that he had enough food on his alms-rounds and was contented and happy.

    THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
    by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
    Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post

  4. Conversion by the Buddha of Angulimala

    Comment July 26, 2016

    Conversion by the Buddha of Angulimala, a robber of the forest

    38. Conversion by the Buddha of Angulimala, a robber of the forest

    Angulimala was the son of the Kings Chaplain of the Savatthi City, and a student of the Taxila University. The teacher and his wife were very fond of him, as he was a brilliant, clever and faithful pupil. Unfortunately his associated grew jealous of him, made up a false story and succeeded in setting the teacher against him. The enraged teacher, suspecting him to have had an affair with his wife contrived to put an end to his life by ordering him to fetch a thousand fingers as a present in return for the education he received. In obedience to the teacher, he took to the forest of Savatthi and started killing people to collect fingers for the necessary offering. Later he wore a garland of these fingers to ascertain the number—hence the name Angulimala. When he had collected 999 fingers, and was ready to complete the number he chased his own mother who came out to ask him to desist from killing.

    The Buddha saw this in advance and appeared on the scene to prevent him from killing his mother. He chased the Buddha to kill Him, but could not overtake Him on account of His supernatural power. He was eventually converted to the noble Doctrine of the Buddha and was admitted into the Order.
    THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
    by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
    Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post

  5. Abandoning the dark way…

    Comment December 16, 2015

    Abandoning the dark way, let the wise man cultivate the bright path. Having gone from home to homelessness, let him yearn for that delight in detachment, so difficult to enjoy. Giving up sensual pleasures, with no attachment, let the wise man cleanse himself of defilements of the mind.

    Those whose minds have reached full excellence in the factors of enlightenment, who, having renounced acquisitiveness, rejoice in not clinging to things — rid of cankers, glowing with wisdom, they have attained Nibbana in this very life. ~The Dhammapada

    Angulimala

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