For years Angulimala terrorized the countryside and townships. Because of his intelligence and daring expertise, he was never caught. Villages were deserted and the jungle tracks fell into disuse for fear of him. King Pasenadi finally ordered a detachment of soldiers to capture him. Dead or alive, Angulimala had to be caught at all costs.
However, Angulimal’s mother came to know just in time what was going to happen to her son. Determined to save her only son, whom she loved so dearly, she hastily made for the jungle where she knew he was hiding in order to warn him. Angulimala saw his mother coming and, gladdened that the last finger he required would soon be his, rushed forward with a raised sword to strike the poor lady who had given him birth and who had raised him up with great love and care.
Before the act of ultimate crime was committed, however, the Compassionate Buddha, who also had come to know what was going on, appeared before Angulimala and intercepted him just in the last moment.
Like a mad elephant, the bandit turned toward the Buddha, who was then walking away in the other direction. He ran after him, determined to finish his task. But however hard he tried, he could not come close enough to strike the Buddha with his sword that had drunk the blood of so many human lives.
This was a miracle. Angulimala only exhausted himself while the Buddha was walking at a leisurely pace.
At last Angulimala stopped. It was the first time he ever had to admit defeat. Still trying to catch his breath, the stone-hearted bandit cried out, “Stop! You there, hold it!”.
“I have stopped.” Said the Buddha still walking, “but you have not.”
Angulimala was puzzled.
“You’re lying!” he shouted even louder. “You’re walking, but you said you had stopped. I have stopped but you said I had not.”
Come the Buddha’s reply: “Angulimala, I have stopped doing evil. I have also given up running after pleasure. I have stopped from doing bad deeds, from speaking evil speech, and from thinking unwholesome thoughts! Come, Angulimala! Listen to the noble doctrine!”
The Buddha then proceeded to deliver a sermon to Angulimala. hiswords so completely changed Angulimala that the latter decided then and there to seek permission to enter the holy Order. he was later ordained by the Buddha at jeta Grove, while the angry populace were yelling at the king's palace for his blood. Little did they know of what was going on at the monastery.
Angulimala's holy life was by no means an easy one. Although he was pardoned by King Pasenadi, who was himself a staunch supporter of the Buddha, the people did not forget his past misdeeds. When he went outside the monastery, they fell on him with a vengeance, but on the advice of the Buddha he silently endured their wrath and radiated the thought of love and kindness to them. Gradually, he was able to win their love and respect and, eventually, became one of their most trusted spiritual preceptors.
Angulimala trained himself with great diligence and patience and finally attained Arahantship. His life demonstrtes that it is never too late to change yourself for the better.
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