Archive for October 19th, 2008
Angulimala 19-24
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- Once there was an expectant mother in the village who was experiencing excruciating labor pains. Angulimala had much sympathy for her and asked the Buddha what he could do to help her pain.
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- The Buddha instructed him to go to her and say: “Since I have been born I have never deprived any being of life, and may this truth bring happiness and well-being to you and your baby. With tears in his eyes Angulimala said, “But that is not true, for I have killed many innocent people.”
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- The Buddha then instructed him to go the woman and say, “Since I have been born again, I have never deprived any being of its life, and may this truth bring happiness and well-being to you and your baby.”
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- Angulimala did so, and the woman gave birth without a sound.
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- Once Angulimala was attacked by a group of villagers seeking revenge for his past crimes. They came at him with sticks and stones, causing him fatal injury, yet Angulimala bore them no ill-will.
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- As Angulimala died, the Buddha came and comforted him. With his last breath Angulimala said, “I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma.”
