Hi Pali Friends,

I hardly write but i saw this in one of my mail and
thought i shud share with all on Angulimala.

With Metta
Sharon Mallika Khoo



ANGULIMALA AND THE BUDDHA'S CHIEF BEFEFACTORS



ANGULIMALA



It was in the 20th year that the Buddha converted the
notorious murderer Angulimala. Ahimsaka (Innocent)
was his original name. He belonged to a distinguished
family, and was the most illustrious and favourite
pupil of his renowned teacher.



Unfortunately his associates grew jealous of him,
concocted a false story, and succeeded in poisoning
the teacher against him. The enraged teacher, without
any investigation, contrived to put an end to his life
by ordering him to fetch a thousand fingers as a
present. In obedience to the teacher, though with
great reluctance, he repaired to the forest 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, the Buddha appeared on the scene.
Angulimala made a vain attempt to kill the Buddha, but
was eventually converted to the noble Dhamma and was
admitted into the Order. One day as he went on his
alms-round he saw a woman in travail. Moved by
compassion he reported this pathetic case to the
Buddha who then taught the Angulimala Paritta which
runs as follows: -



“Sister, since I was born in the Ariyan clan, I know
not that I consciously destroyed the life of any
living being. By this truth may you be whole, and may
your child be whole!”



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 Act of Truth. Instantly she
was delivered of the child with great ease. The
efficacy of this Paritta persists to this day.



In due course Venerable Angulimala attained
Arahantship.



The remaining twenty-five years were spent in Savatthi
at the Jetavana Monastery, built by Anathapindika, the
millionaire, and at Pubbarama, built by Visakha, the
chief benefactress of the Buddha.




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