posted April 18, 2004 10:28 PM              

"...He said, 'Lord, it is very dangerous to go outdoors today. The murderer Angulimala has been seen in these parts. They say he has killed many people in other cities. Every time he kills someone, he cuts off one of their fingers and adds it to a string he wears around his neck. They say that once he has killed a hundred people and has a talisman of a hundred fingers hanging around his neck, he will gain even more terrible, evil powers. It is strange--he never steals anything from the people he murders. King Pasenadi has organized a brigade of soldiers and police to hunt him down.'

"The Buddha asked, 'Why must the king enlist the aid of an entire brigade of soldiers to hunt down just one man?'

"'Respected Gautama, Angulimala is very dangerous. He possesses phenomenal fighting skills. Once he overcame forty men who surrounded him on a street. He killed most of them. The survivors had to flee for their lives. Angulimala is said to hide out in Jalini Forest. No one dares pass by there anymore. Not long ago, twenty armed police entered the forest to try to capture him. Only two came out alive. Now that Angulimala has been spotted in the city, no one dares go out to work or shop.'

"The Buddha thanked the man for telling him about Angulimala and then stood up to take his leave. The man implored the Buddha to remain safely inside, but the Buddha refused. He said that he could only preserve the trust of the people by continuing to do his begging as usual.

"As the Buddha walked slowly and mindfully down the street, he suddenly heard the sound of steps running behind him in the distance. He knew it was Angulimala, but he felt no fear. He continued to take slow steps, aware of everything taking place within and outside of himself.

"Angulimala shouted, "Stop, monk! Stop!"

"The Buddha continued taking slow, stable steps. He knew from the sound of Angulimala's footsteps that he had slowed down to a brisk walk and was not far behind. Although th Buddha was not fifty-six years old, his sight and hearing were keener than ever. He held nothing but his begging bowl. He smiled as he recollected how quick and agile he had been in martial arts as a young prince. The other young men were never able to deliver him a blow. The Buddha knew that Angulimala was very close now and was surely carrying a weapon. The Buddha continued to walk with ease.

"When Angulimala caught up to the Buddha, he walked alongside him and said, 'I told you to stop, monk. Why don't you stop?'

"The Buddha continued to walk as he said, 'Angulimala, I stopped a long time ago. It is you who have not stopped.'

"Angulimala was startled by the Buddha's unusual reply. He blocked the Buddha's path, forcing the Buddha to stop. The Buddha looked into Augulimala's eyes. Again, Angulimala was startled. The Buddha's eyes shone like two stars. Angulimala had never encountered someone who radiated such serenity and ease. Everyone else always ran away from him in terror. Why didn't this monk show any fear? The Buddha was looking at him as if he were a friend or brother. The Buddha had said Angulimala's name, so it was clear that he knew who Angulimala was. Surely he knew about his treacherous deeds. How could he remain so calm and relaxed when faced with a murderer? Suddenly Augulimala felt he could no longer bear the Buddha's kind and gentle gaze. He said, 'Monk, you said you stopped a long time ago. But you were still walking. You said I was the one who has not stopped. What did you mean by that?'

"The Buddha replied, 'Angulimala, I stopped committing acts that cause suffering to other living beings a long time ago. I have learned to protect life, the lives of all beings, not just humans. Angulimala, all living beings want to live. All fear death. We must nurture a heart of compassion and protect the lives of all beings.'

"'Human beings do not love each other. Why should I love other people? Humans are cruel and deceptive. I will not rest until I have killed them all.'

"The Buddha spoke gently, "Angulimala, I know you have suffered deeply at the hands of other humans. Sometimes humans can be most cruel. Such cruelty is the result of ignorance, hatred, desire, and jealousy. But humans can also be understanding and compassionate. Have you ever met a bhikkhu before? Bhikkhus vow to protect the lives of all other beings. They vow to overcome desire, hatred, and ignorance. There are many people, not just bhikkhus, whose lives are based on understanding and love. Angulimala, there may be cruel people in this world, but there are also many kind people. Do not be blinded. My path can transform cruelty into kindness. Hatred is the path you are on now. You should stop. Choose the path of forgiveness, understanding, and love instead.'

"Angulimala was moved by the monk's words. Yet his mind was thrown into confusion, as well, and suddenly he felt as if he had been cut open and salt thrown on the open wound. He could see that the Buddha spoke from love. There was no hatred in the Buddha, no aversion. The monk looked at Angulimala as if he considered him a whole person worthy of respect. Could this monk be the very Gautama he had heard people praise, the one they called "the Buddha"? Angulimala asked, 'Are you the monk Gautama?'

"The Buddha nodded.

"Angulimala said, 'It is a great pity I did not meet you sooner. I have gone too far already on my path of destruction. It is no longer possible to turn back.'

"The Buddha said, 'No, Angulimala, it is never too late to do a good act.'

"'What good act could I possibly do?'

"'Stop traveling the road of hatred and violence. That would be the gfeatest act of all. Anggulimala, though the sea of suffering is immense, look back and you will see the shore.'

"'Gautama, even if I wanted to, I could not turn back now. No one would let me live in peace after all I have done.'

"The Buddha grasped Angulimala's hand and said, 'Angulimala, I will protect you if you vow to abandon your mind of hatred and devote yourself to the study and practice of the Way. Take the vow to begin anew and serve others. It is easy to see you are a man of intelligence. I have no doubt you could succeed on the path of realization.'

"Angulimala knelt before the Buddha. He removed the sword strapped to his back, placed it on the earth, and protrated himself at the Buddha's feet. He covered his face in his hands and began to sob. After a long time, he looked up and said, 'I vow to abandon my evil ways. I will follow you and learn compassion from you. I beg you to accept me as your disciple....'

...and the rest is history

please note that this was before the Buddha loved him into submission, while he was still a hardened and brutal man. isn't it wonderful how this true account, as well as those of many, many others from gandhi to mother teresa to martin luther king jr have wrought greater works than all the swords in the world?

to be sure, this is an advanced way of life, but we are all on the road of hatred and separatism, and it is not too late to part ways with it. who knows where this Way might lead, but it begins with the first proverbial step

"let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me..."

posted April 21, 2004 07:13 PM              

sad how blood lust got in there and claimed him in the end. like that woman in the texas prison who had to be put to death, although her life had completely turned about