Aongulimal

Aongulimal

Aongulimalwas one of the best known disciples of the Buddha. His life was unusual and full of adventures. It’s was a violent one, too. Aongulimal was known in his boyhood as Ahimsaka or the “Harmless one. ”his father, Bhaggava, was the court astrologer and chaplain to king Pasinadi of Kosala and his mother was Mantinani. He was born in the dead of night under the bandits’ constellation.

It is said that at the time of Aongulimal’s birth, all the weapons in the city glowed as if on fire, including those which belonged to the king. It was unmistakably an evil omen; the child was destined to become a notorious bloody bandit who would bring destruction and untold terror to his own countrymen.

When he came of age, he was sent to Takkasila for an education befitting the young son of a respectable family. He soon proved to be an excellent student, loved and trusted by his teacher, but he was also an object of envy for his fellow-students, who consistently poisoned his teacher’s mind against him. Ahimsaka’s teacher, thereupon, plotted a vile scheme to destroy him. He demanded of Ahimsaka an honorarium of a thousand human lives, each represented by a right hand finger the latter was supposed to bring him. This, the teacher hoped, would make Ahimsaka a murderer with a price on his head, which would consequently be hunted down and destroyed.

At first Ahimsaka was reluctant to carry out such a bloody mission. He was taught form his boyhood to be kind gentle. He also knew that it was a sin to kill people. But his teacher assured him that once his mission was completed, he would be instructed in special knowledge that would free himself from all sins and would then be endowed with great supernatural powers.

Ahimsaka thought hard. He did not realize that his involvement with evil people would eventually lead him to the evil path. With great reluctance, he accepted his teacher’s demand. He was determined to complete his mission as soon as possible.

The gentle Ahimsaka thus became the cruelest bandit, merciless and ever bent on killing. He spared none that happened to cross his path, men, women, the aged, and even infants. From each of his victim he cut a finger and tied it with a long string, which he wore around his neck. Altogether he killed 999 people and the garland he wore had 999 fingers on it. Thus he became known as Angulimala or the “Finger-Garlanded One”

For years Aongulima 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, Aongulimal had to be caught at all costs.

However, Aongulimal’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, gladden that last finger he required would soon be his, he 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 Compassion Buddha, who also had come to know what was going on, appeared before Aongulimal 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 has drunk the blood of so many human lives.

This was a miracle. Aongulimal only exhausted himself while the Buddha was walking at a leisurely pace. At last Aongulimal 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 Buddah still walking, “but you have not.”

Aongulimal was puzzled.

“You’re lying!” he shouted even louder. “You’re walking, but you said you have stopped. I have stopped but you said I had not.”

Came the Buddha reply: ”Aongulimal , 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, Aongulimal! Listen to the noble doctrine!”

The Buddha then proceeded to deliver a sermon to Aongulimal. His words so completely changed Aongulimal 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.

Aongulimal’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.

Aongulimal trained himself with great diligence and patience and finally attained Arahantship. His life demonstrates that it is never too late to change yourself for the better.

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