MN 86 With Aṅgulimāla – Aṅgulimālasutta

Medium Discourses Collection 86 – Majjhima Nikāya 86

1.1

So I have heard.

Evaṁ me sutaṁ—

1.2

At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

2.1

Now at that time in the realm of King Pasenadi of Kosala there was a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He was violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.

Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa vijite coro aṅgulimālo nāma hoti luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.

2.2

He laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.

Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.

2.3

He was constantly murdering people, and he wore their fingers as a necklace.

So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.

3.1

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

3.2

Then, after the meal, on his return from almsround, he set his lodgings in order and, taking his bowl and robe, he walked down the road that led to Aṅgulimāla.

Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena coro aṅgulimālo tenaddhānamaggaṁ paṭipajji.

3.3

The cowherds, shepherds, farmers, and travelers saw him on the road,

Addasāsuṁ kho gopālakā pasupālakā kassakā pathāvino bhagavantaṁ yena coro aṅgulimālo tenaddhānamaggapaṭipannaṁ.

3.4

and said to him,

Disvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

3.5

“Don’t take this road, ascetic.

“mā, samaṇa, etaṁ maggaṁ paṭipajji.

3.6

On this road there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.

Etasmiṁ, samaṇa, magge coro aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.

3.7

He has laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.

Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.

3.8

He is constantly murdering people, and he wears their fingers as a necklace.

So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.

3.9

People travel along this road only after banding closely together in groups of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty.

Etañhi, samaṇa, maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.

3.10

Still they meet their end by Aṅgulimāla’s hand.”

Tepi corassa aṅgulimālassa hatthatthaṁ gacchantī”ti.

3.11

But when they said this, the Buddha went on in silence.

Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā tuṇhībhūto agamāsi.

3.12

For a second time …

Dutiyampi kho gopālakā …pe…

3.13

and a third time, they urged the Buddha to turn back.

tatiyampi kho gopālakā pasupālakā kassakā pathāvino bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:

3.14

“mā, samaṇa, etaṁ maggaṁ paṭipajji, etasmiṁ samaṇa magge coro aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu, tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.

3.15

So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.

3.16

Etañhi samaṇa maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.

3.17

Tepi corassa aṅgulimālassa hatthatthaṁ gacchantī”ti.

4.1

But when they said this, the Buddha went on in silence.

Atha kho bhagavā tuṇhībhūto agamāsi.

4.2

The bandit Aṅgulimāla saw the Buddha coming off in the distance,

Addasā kho coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.

4.3

and thought,

Disvānassa etadahosi:

4.4

“It’s incredible, it’s amazing!

“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.

4.5

People travel along this road only after banding closely together in groups of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty.

Imañhi maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.

4.6

Still they meet their end by my hand.

Tepi mama hatthatthaṁ gacchanti.

4.7

But still this ascetic comes along alone and unaccompanied, like he had beaten me already.

Atha ca panāyaṁ samaṇo eko adutiyo pasayha maññe āgacchati.

4.8

Why don’t I take his life?”

Yannūnāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ jīvitā voropeyyan”ti.

5.1

Then Aṅgulimāla donned his sword and shield, fastened his bow and arrows, and followed behind the Buddha.

Atha kho coro aṅgulimālo asicammaṁ gahetvā dhanukalāpaṁ sannayhitvā bhagavantaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubandhi.

5.2

But the Buddha used his psychic power to will that Aṅgulimāla could not catch up with him no matter how hard he tried, even though the Buddha kept walking at a normal speed.

Atha kho bhagavā tathārūpaṁ iddhābhisaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkhāsi yathā coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ pakatiyā gacchantaṁ sabbathāmena gacchanto na sakkoti sampāpuṇituṁ.

5.3

Then Aṅgulimāla thought,

Atha kho corassa aṅgulimālassa etadahosi:

5.4

“It’s incredible, it’s amazing!

“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.

5.5

Previously, even when I’ve chased a speeding elephant, horse, chariot or deer, I’ve always caught up with them.

Ahañhi pubbe hatthimpi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, assampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, rathampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, migampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi;

5.6

But I can’t catch up with this ascetic no matter how hard I try, even though he’s walking at a normal speed.”

atha ca panāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ pakatiyā gacchantaṁ sabbathāmena gacchanto na sakkomi sampāpuṇitun”ti.

5.7

He stood still and said,

Ṭhitova bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

5.8

“Stop, stop, ascetic!”

“tiṭṭha, tiṭṭha, samaṇā”ti.

5.9

“I’ve stopped, Aṅgulimāla—now you stop.”

“Ṭhito ahaṁ, aṅgulimāla, tvañca tiṭṭhā”ti.

5.10

Then Aṅgulimāla thought,

Atha kho corassa aṅgulimālassa etadahosi:

5.11

“These Sakyan ascetics speak the truth.

“ime kho samaṇā sakyaputtiyā saccavādino saccapaṭiññā.

5.12

Yet while walking the ascetic Gotama says:

Atha panāyaṁ samaṇo gacchaṁ yevāha:

5.13

‘I’ve stopped, Aṅgulimāla—now you stop.’

‘ṭhito ahaṁ, aṅgulimāla, tvañca tiṭṭhā’ti.

5.14

Why don’t I ask him about this?”

Yannūnāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ puccheyyan”ti.

6.1

Then he addressed the Buddha in verse:

Atha kho coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:

6.2

“While walking, ascetic, you say ‘I’ve stopped.’

“Gacchaṁ vadesi samaṇa ṭhitomhi,

6.3

And I have stopped, but you tell me I’ve not.

Mamañca brūsi ṭhitamaṭṭhitoti;

6.4

I’m asking you this, ascetic:

Pucchāmi taṁ samaṇa etamatthaṁ,

6.5

how is it you’ve stopped and I have not?”

Kathaṁ ṭhito tvaṁ ahamaṭṭhitomhī”ti.

6.6

“Aṅgulimāla, I have forever stopped—

“Ṭhito ahaṁ aṅgulimāla sabbadā,

6.7

I’ve laid aside violence towards all creatures.

Sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṁ;

6.8

But you can’t stop yourself from harming living creatures;

Tuvañca pāṇesu asaññatosi,

6.9

that’s why I’ve stopped, but you have not.”

Tasmā ṭhitohaṁ tuvamaṭṭhitosī”ti.

6.10

“Oh, at long last a hermit,

“Cirassaṁ vata me mahito mahesī,

6.11

a great sage who I honor, has entered this great forest.

Mahāvanaṁ pāpuṇi saccavādī;

6.12

Now that I’ve heard your verse on Dhamma,

Sohaṁ carissāmi pahāya pāpaṁ,

6.13

I shall live without evil.”

Sutvāna gāthaṁ tava dhammayuttaṁ”.

6.14

With these words, the bandit hurled his sword and weapons

Itveva coro asimāvudhañca,

6.15

down a cliff into an abyss.

Sobbhe papāte narake akiri;

6.16

He venerated the Holy One’s feet,

Avandi coro sugatassa pāde,

6.17

and asked him for the going forth right away.

Tattheva naṁ pabbajjaṁ ayāci.

6.18

Then the Buddha, the compassionate great hermit,

Buddho ca kho kāruṇiko mahesi,

6.19

the teacher of the world with its gods,

Yo satthā lokassa sadevakassa;

6.20

said to him, “Come, monk!”

“Tamehi bhikkhū”ti tadā avoca,

6.21

And with that he became a monk.

Eseva tassa ahu bhikkhubhāvoti.

7.1

Then the Buddha set out for Sāvatthī with Venerable Aṅgulimāla as his second monk.

Atha kho bhagavā āyasmatā aṅgulimālena pacchāsamaṇena yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.

7.2

Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Sāvatthī,

Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi tadavasari.

7.3

where he stayed in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

8.1

Now at that time a crowd had gathered by the gate of King Pasenadi’s royal compound making a dreadful racket,

Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa antepuradvāre mahājanakāyo sannipatitvā uccāsaddo mahāsaddo hoti:

8.2

“In your realm, Your Majesty, there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.

“coro te, deva, vijite aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.

8.3

He has laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.

Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.

8.4

He is constantly murdering people, and he wears their fingers as a necklace.

So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.

8.5

Your Majesty must put a stop to him!”

Taṁ devo paṭisedhetū”ti.

9.1

Then King Pasenadi drove out from Sāvatthī in the middle of the day with around five hundred horses,

Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo pañcamattehi assasatehi sāvatthiyā nikkhami divā divassa.

9.2

heading for the monastery.

Yena ārāmo tena pāvisi.

9.3

He went by carriage as far as the terrain allowed, then descended and approached the Buddha on foot. He bowed and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him,

Yāvatikā yānassa bhūmi yānena gantvā yānā paccorohitvā pattikova yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:

9.4

“What is it, great king? Is King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha angry with you, or the Licchavis of Vesālī, or some other opposing ruler?”

“kiṁ nu te, mahārāja, rājā vā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro kupito vesālikā vā licchavī aññe vā paṭirājāno”ti?

10.1

“No, sir.

“Na kho me, bhante, rājā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro kupito, nāpi vesālikā licchavī, nāpi aññe paṭirājāno.

10.2

In my realm there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings. …

Coro me, bhante, vijite aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.

10.3

Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.

10.4

So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.

10.5

I shall put a stop to him.”

Tāhaṁ, bhante, paṭisedhissāmī”ti.

11.1

“But great king, suppose you were to see that Aṅgulimāla had shaved off his hair and beard, dressed in ocher robes, and gone forth from the lay life to homelessness. And that he was refraining from killing living creatures, stealing, and lying; that he was eating in one part of the day, and was celibate, ethical, and of good character. What would you do to him?”

“Sace pana tvaṁ, mahārāja, aṅgulimālaṁ passeyyāsi kesamassuṁ ohāretvā kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajitaṁ, virataṁ pāṇātipātā, virataṁ adinnādānā, virataṁ musāvādā, ekabhattikaṁ, brahmacāriṁ, sīlavantaṁ, kalyāṇadhammaṁ, kinti naṁ kareyyāsī”ti?

11.2

“I would bow to him, rise in his presence, or offer him a seat. I’d invite him to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. And I’d organize his lawful guarding and protection.

“Abhivādeyyāma vā, bhante, paccuṭṭheyyāma vā āsanena vā nimanteyyāma, abhinimanteyyāma vā naṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi, dhammikaṁ vā assa rakkhāvaraṇaguttiṁ saṁvidaheyyāma.

11.3

But sir, how could such an immoral, evil man ever have such virtue and restraint?”

Kuto panassa, bhante, dussīlassa pāpadhammassa evarūpo sīlasaṁyamo bhavissatī”ti?

12.1

Now at that time Venerable Aṅgulimāla was sitting not far from the Buddha.

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavato avidūre nisinno hoti.

12.2

Then the Buddha pointed with his right arm and said to the king,

Atha kho bhagavā dakkhiṇaṁ bāhuṁ paggahetvā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:

12.3

“Great king, this is Aṅgulimāla.”

“eso, mahārāja, aṅgulimālo”ti.

12.4

Then the king became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end.

Atha kho rañño pasenadissa kosalassa ahudeva bhayaṁ, ahu chambhitattaṁ, ahu lomahaṁso.

12.5

Knowing this, the Buddha said to him,

Atha kho bhagavā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ bhītaṁ saṁviggaṁ lomahaṭṭhajātaṁ viditvā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:

12.6

“Do not fear, great king. You have nothing to fear from him.”

“mā bhāyi, mahārāja, natthi te ito bhayan”ti.

12.7

Then the king’s fear died down.

Atha kho rañño pasenadissa kosalassa yaṁ ahosi bhayaṁ vā chambhitattaṁ vā lomahaṁso vā so paṭippassambhi.

12.8

Then the king went over to Aṅgulimāla and said,

Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yenāyasmā aṅgulimālo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ etadavoca:

12.9

“Sir, is the venerable really Aṅgulimāla?”

“ayyo no, bhante, aṅgulimālo”ti?

12.10

“Yes, great king.”

“Evaṁ, mahārājā”ti.

12.11

“What clans were your father and mother from?”

“Kathaṅgotto ayyassa pitā, kathaṅgottā mātā”ti?

12.12

“My father was a Gagga, and my mother a Mantāṇī.”

“Gaggo kho, mahārāja, pitā, mantāṇī mātā”ti.

12.13

“May the venerable Gagga son of Mantāṇī be happy.

“Abhiramatu, bhante, ayyo gaggo mantāṇiputto.

12.14

I’ll make sure that you’re provided with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.”

Ahamayyassa gaggassa mantāṇiputtassa ussukkaṁ karissāmi cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānan”ti.

13.1

But at that time Venerable Aṅgulimāla lived in the wilderness, ate only almsfood, and owned just three robes.

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā aṅgulimālo āraññiko hoti piṇḍapātiko paṁsukūliko tecīvariko.

13.2

So he said to the king,

Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:

13.3

“Enough, great king. My robes are complete.”

“alaṁ, mahārāja, paripuṇṇaṁ me cīvaran”ti.

13.4

Then the king went back to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

13.5

“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing!

“acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante.

13.6

How the Buddha tames those who are wild, pacifies those who are violent, and extinguishes those who are unextinguished!

Yāvañcidaṁ, bhante, bhagavā adantānaṁ dametā, asantānaṁ sametā, aparinibbutānaṁ parinibbāpetā.

13.7

For I was not able to tame him with the rod and the sword, but the Buddha tamed him without rod or sword.

Yañhi mayaṁ, bhante, nāsakkhimhā daṇḍenapi satthenapi dametuṁ so bhagavatā adaṇḍena asattheneva danto.

13.8

Well, now, sir, I must go.

Handa ca dāni mayaṁ, bhante, gacchāma;

13.9

I have many duties, and much to do.”

bahukiccā mayaṁ bahukaraṇīyā”ti.

13.10

“Please, great king, go at your convenience.”

“Yassadāni, mahārāja, kālaṁ maññasī”ti.

13.11

Then King Pasenadi got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.

Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi.

14.1

Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.

Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

14.2

Then as he was wandering indiscriminately for almsfood he saw a woman undergoing a painful obstructed labor.

Addasā kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo sāvatthiyaṁ sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno aññataraṁ itthiṁ mūḷhagabbhaṁ vighātagabbhaṁ.

14.3

Seeing this, it occurred to him,

Disvānassa etadahosi:

14.4

“Oh, beings undergo such travail!

“kilissanti vata, bho, sattā;

14.5

Oh, beings undergo such travail!”

kilissanti vata, bho, sattā”ti.

14.6

Then after wandering for alms in Sāvatthī, after the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened. The Buddha said to him,

Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

14.7

“idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ.

14.8

Addasaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, sāvatthiyaṁ sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno aññataraṁ itthiṁ mūḷhagabbhaṁ vighātagabbhaṁ.

14.9

Disvāna mayhaṁ etadahosi:

14.10

‘kilissanti vata bho sattā, kilissanti vata bho sattā’”ti.

15.1

“Well then, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:

“Tena hi tvaṁ, aṅgulimāla, yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ evaṁ vadehi:

15.2

‘Ever since I was born, sister, I don’t recall having intentionally taken the life of a living creature. By this truth, may both you and your baby be safe.’”

‘yatohaṁ, bhagini, jāto nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā’”ti.

15.3

“But sir, wouldn’t that be telling a deliberate lie?

“So hi nūna me, bhante, sampajānamusāvādo bhavissati.

15.4

For I have intentionally killed many living creatures.”

Mayā hi, bhante, bahū sañcicca pāṇā jīvitā voropitā”ti.

15.5

“In that case, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:

“Tena hi tvaṁ, aṅgulimāla, yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ evaṁ vadehi:

15.6

‘Ever since I was born in the noble birth, sister, I don’t recall having intentionally taken the life of a living creature. By this truth, may both you and your baby be safe.’”

‘yatohaṁ, bhagini, ariyāya jātiyā jāto, nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā’”ti.

15.7

“Yes, sir,” replied Aṅgulimāla. He went to that woman and said:

“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavato paṭissutvā yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ etadavoca:

15.8

“Ever since I was born in the noble birth, sister, I don’t recall having intentionally taken the life of a living creature. By this truth, may both you and your baby be safe.”

“yatohaṁ, bhagini, ariyāya jātiyā jāto, nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā”ti.

15.9

Then that woman was safe, and so was her baby.

Atha khvāssā itthiyā sotthi ahosi, sotthi gabbhassa.

16.1

Then Aṅgulimāla, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme end of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo eko vūpakaṭṭho appamatto ātāpī pahitatto viharanto nacirasseva—yassatthāya kulaputtā sammadeva agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajanti, tadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihāsi.

16.2

He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is no return to any state of existence.”

“Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi.

16.3

And Venerable Aṅgulimāla became one of the perfected.

Aññataro kho panāyasmā aṅgulimālo arahataṁ ahosi.

17.1

Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.

Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.

17.2

Now at that time someone threw a stone that hit Aṅgulimāla, someone else threw a stick, and someone else threw gravel.

Tena kho pana samayena aññenapi leḍḍu khitto āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati, aññenapi daṇḍo khitto āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati, aññenapi sakkharā khittā āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati.

17.3

Then Aṅgulimāla—with cracked head, bleeding, his bowl broken, and his outer robe torn—went to the Buddha.

Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhinnena sīsena, lohitena gaḷantena, bhinnena pattena, vipphālitāya saṅghāṭiyā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami.

17.4

The Buddha saw him coming off in the distance,

Addasā kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.

17.5

and said to him,

Disvāna āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ etadavoca:

17.6

“Endure it, brahmin! Endure it, brahmin!

“adhivāsehi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, adhivāsehi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa.

17.7

You’re experiencing in this life the result of deeds that might have caused you to be tormented in hell for many years, many hundreds or thousands of years.”

Yassa kho tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kammassa vipākena bahūni vassāni bahūni vassasatāni bahūni vassasahassāni niraye pacceyyāsi tassa tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kammassa vipākaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme paṭisaṁvedesī”ti.

18.1

Later, Venerable Aṅgulimāla was experiencing the bliss of release while in private retreat.

Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo rahogato paṭisallīno vimuttisukhaṁ paṭisaṁvedi;

18.2

On that occasion he expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:

18.3

“He who once was heedless,

“Yo pubbeva pamajjitvā,

18.4

but turned to heedfulness,

pacchā so nappamajjati;

18.5

lights up the world,

Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,

18.6

like the moon freed from a cloud.

abbhā muttova candimā.

18.7

Someone whose bad deed

Yassa pāpaṁ kataṁ kammaṁ,

18.8

is supplanted by the good,

kusalena pidhīyati;

18.9

lights up the world,

Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,

18.10

like the moon freed from a cloud.

abbhā muttova candimā.

18.11

A young bhikkhu

Yo have daharo bhikkhu,

18.12

devoted to the Buddha’s teaching,

yuñjati buddhasāsane;

18.13

lights up the world,

Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,

18.14

like the moon freed from a cloud.

abbhā muttova candimā.

18.15

May even my enemies hear a Dhamma talk!

Disā hi me dhammakathaṁ suṇantu,

18.16

May even my enemies devote themselves to the Buddha’s teaching!

Disā hi me yuñjantu buddhasāsane;

18.17

May even my enemies associate with those noble people

Disā hi me te manujā bhajantu,

18.18

who establish others in the Dhamma!

Ye dhammamevādapayanti santo.

18.19

May even my enemies hear Dhamma at the right time,

Disā hi me khantivādānaṁ,

18.20

from those who speak on acceptance,

avirodhappasaṁsīnaṁ;

18.21

praising acquiescence;

Suṇantu dhammaṁ kālena,

18.22

and may they follow that path!

tañca anuvidhīyantu.

18.23

For then they’d surely wish no harm

Na hi jātu so mamaṁ hiṁse,

18.24

upon myself or others.

aññaṁ vā pana kiñci naṁ;

18.25

Having arrived at ultimate peace,

Pappuyya paramaṁ santiṁ,

18.26

they’d look after creatures firm and frail.

rakkheyya tasathāvare.

18.27

For irrigators guide the water,

Udakañhi nayanti nettikā,

18.28

and fletchers straighten arrows;

Usukārā namayanti tejanaṁ;

18.29

carpenters carve timber—

Dāruṁ namayanti tacchakā,

18.30

but the astute tame themselves.

Attānaṁ damayanti paṇḍitā.

18.31

Some tame by using the rod,

Daṇḍeneke damayanti,

18.32

some with goads, and some with whips.

aṅkusehi kasāhi ca;

18.33

But the poised one tamed me

Adaṇḍena asatthena,

18.34

without rod or sword.

ahaṁ dantomhi tādinā.

18.35

My name is ‘Harmless’,

Ahiṁsakoti me nāmaṁ,

18.36

though I used to be harmful.

hiṁsakassa pure sato;

18.37

The name I bear today is true,

Ajjāhaṁ saccanāmomhi,

18.38

for I do no harm to anyone.

na naṁ hiṁsāmi kiñci naṁ.

18.39

I used to be a bandit,

Coro ahaṁ pure āsiṁ,

18.40

the notorious Aṅgulimāla.

aṅgulimāloti vissuto;

18.41

Swept away in a great flood,

Vuyhamāno mahoghena,

18.42

I went to the Buddha as a refuge.

buddhaṁ saraṇamāgamaṁ.

18.43

I used to have blood on my hands,

Lohitapāṇi pure āsiṁ,

18.44

the notorious Aṅgulimāla.

aṅgulimāloti vissuto;

18.45

See the refuge I’ve found—

Saraṇagamanaṁ passa,

18.46

the conduit to rebirth is eradicated.

bhavanetti samūhatā.

18.47

I’ve done many of the sort of deeds

Tādisaṁ kammaṁ katvāna,

18.48

that lead to a bad destination.

bahuṁ duggatigāminaṁ;

18.49

The result of my deeds has already struck me,

Phuṭṭho kammavipākena,

18.50

so I enjoy my food free of debt.

aṇaṇo bhuñjāmi bhojanaṁ.

18.51

Fools and half-wits

Pamādamanuyuñjanti,

18.52

devote themselves to negligence.

bālā dummedhino janā;

18.53

But the wise protect diligence

Appamādañca medhāvī,

18.54

as their best treasure.

dhanaṁ seṭṭhaṁva rakkhati.

18.55

Don’t devote yourself to negligence,

Mā pamādamanuyuñjetha,

18.56

or delight in sexual intimacy.

mā kāmarati santhavaṁ;

18.57

For if you’re diligent and practice absorption,

Appamatto hi jhāyanto,

18.58

you’ll attain abundant happiness.

pappoti vipulaṁ sukhaṁ.

18.59

It was welcome, not unwelcome,

Svāgataṁ nāpagataṁ,

18.60

the advice I got was good.

nayidaṁ dummantitaṁ mama;

18.61

Of the well-explained teachings,

Saṁvibhattesu dhammesu,

18.62

I arrived at the the best.

yaṁ seṭṭhaṁ tadupāgamaṁ.

18.63

It was welcome, not unwelcome,

Svāgataṁ nāpagataṁ,

18.64

the advice I got was good.

nayidaṁ dummantitaṁ mama;

18.65

I’ve attained the three knowledges

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,

18.66

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.

18.67

Aṅgulimālasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.