King Prasenajit, the ruler of Kosala (was located on the northeast
of modern Uttar Pradesh, India), was a disciple of Buddha. Shravasti was his
capital. He respected the principle of non-violence that Buddha taught. One
day, his royal priest Garg, came to him in distress. An astrologer had
predicted that his newly born son was to become a robber and would be a menace
to society.
"What should be done?" asked Garg.
The king asked Garg to educate his son well hoping that he may
turn out to be a good citizen despite the astrologer's forecast.
The son was named Ahimsaka, meaning a person who favors
nonviolence. Ahimsaka proved to be very intelligent and was interested in
learning the scriptures. When he was in his teens, he expressed his desire to
go to Takshashila, a renowned educational center. His father agreed and
Ahimsaka joined one of the most renowned teachers at Takshashila. Soon he
became the most favored disciple of the teacher (guru). The teacher was
so impressed by Ahimsaka's performance that he told his other disciples to
follow Ahimsaka's footsteps. This made them jealous and they jointly made a
heinous plan to turn the teacher against Ahimsaka. The teacher fell in their
trap and banished Ahimsaka from school. Ahimsaka returned home with a heavy
heart.
When Garg, Ahimsaka's father, learned that his son had been turned
out of the school, he was furious. He accused Ahimsaka of disgracing his family
and threw him out of the house. Poor Ahimsaka. He could not understand why his
teacher turned against him and his family was unwilling to hear his side of the
story. When he looked for a place to stay, no one was willing to help. He was
badly hurt and felt rejected by the world.
Finally Ahimsaka decided to leave Shravasti and move to Kaushambi,
a nearby town. Deep in thought, as he was walking down the highway, that passes
through a hilly forest, he was attacked by a highway robber. The robber
demanded his valuables. Ahimsaka was so frustrated that he unloaded his
frustration on the robber and gave him a big blow. The robber fell to the
ground and was overpowered by Ahimsaka. He begged for mercy. Ahimsaka decided
then that he could make his living as a highway robber.
Soon he started to attack travelers and traders, looted them and
killed them. His extreme frustration and anger against the society turned him
into an animal. He not only robbed and killed his victims, he collected their
little fingers to make a garland. So people called him Angulimal or the wearer
of a garland made of little fingers.
People approached king Prasenajit for help. But when Prasenajit
sent a small army, Angulimal killed most of them by hurling down huge boulders.
The king was amazed by his strength. Prasenajit finally advised his citizens to
avoid the highway, until Angulimal was killed.
One day, Angulimal found the highway deserted. He was waiting for
his prey when he saw a monk passing by. He was none other than Lord Buddha.
Angulimal chased the monk for a long time but mysteriously the monk was always
one step ahead of him. Angulimal shouted, "Stop moving." The monk replied,
"I am not moving, I am at rest. It is you who is in constant motion
because of your discontent." Angulimal threatened to kill Buddha and use
his little finger for his garland. Buddha was not the least disturbed. He
stretched his arms out and asked Angulimal to take his fingers if that would
make him happy. Angulimal was baffled. He realized his mistake and fell to the
feet of Buddha, seeking his mercy.
Buddha took Angulimal to his monastery to teach him the life of an
ascetic.. Angulimal listened to Buddha's preaching everyday and started to
serve in the monastery, taking care of the sick. Gradually, he transformed from
a sinner to a saint. When king Prasenajit came to visit Buddha on his way to
capture Angulimal, Buddha told him of the change that had come over Angulimal.
The king was pleasantly surprised and left Angulimal in Buddha's care.
A few days later when Angulimal was collecting his alms as an
ascetic, he met a boy whose father he had killed many years back. He felt
depressed and hopeless.When Buddha inquired as to the cause of his depression, Angulimal
said, "I am a sinner. My hands are stained with blood. I have no
hope." Buddha said, "Repentance is the only fire to burn the sins
already committed. You are on the right path." Angulimal came to his
senses.
One day people recognized Angulimal on the streets as he was out
as an ascetic. They thought it to be his new trick and to beat him. Angulimal
did not fight back. Later he dragged his half-dead body to the monastery where
Buddha received him. He died on Buddha's lap saying, "Father, I am at last
at peace with the world."
Buddha, later commented that "Angulimal was a great soul. He
had conquered vice, cruelty and anger. He had attained Nirvana
(the Eternal Truth)."
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