- 0.1Majjhima Nikāya 86Middle Discourses 86
0.2AṅgulimālasuttaWith Aṅgulimāla
1.1PTS 2.98Evaṁ me sutaṁ—So I have heard.1.2ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
2.1Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa vijite coro aṅgulimālo nāma hoti luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.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.12.2Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.He laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.2.3So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.He was constantly murdering humans, and he wore their fingers as a necklace.2
3.1Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.3.2Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena coro aṅgulimālo tenaddhānamaggaṁ paṭipajji.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.
3.3Addasāsuṁ kho gopālakā pasupālakā kassakā pathāvino bhagavantaṁ yena coro aṅgulimālo tenaddhānamaggapaṭipannaṁ.The cowherds, shepherds, farmers, and travelers saw him on the road,3.4Disvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:and said to him,3.5“mā, samaṇa, etaṁ maggaṁ paṭipajji.“Don’t take this road, ascetic.3.6Etasmiṁ, samaṇa, magge coro aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.On this road there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.3.7Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.He has laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.3.8So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.He is constantly murdering humans, and he wears their fingers as a necklace.3.9Etañhi, samaṇa, maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.People travel along this road only after banding closely together in groups of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty.3.10Tepi corassa aṅgulimālassa hatthatthaṁ gacchantī”ti.Still they meet their end by Aṅgulimāla’s hand.”33.11Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā tuṇhībhūto agamāsi.But when they said this, the Buddha went on in silence.
3.12Dutiyampi kho gopālakā …pe…For a second time …3.13tatiyampi kho gopālakā pasupālakā kassakā pathāvino bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:and a third time, they urged the Buddha to turn back.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.3.15So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.3.16Etañhi samaṇa maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.3.17Tepi corassa aṅgulimālassa hatthatthaṁ gacchantī”ti.
4.1PTS 2.99Atha kho bhagavā tuṇhībhūto agamāsi.But when they said this, the Buddha went on in silence.
4.2Addasā kho coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.The bandit Aṅgulimāla saw the Buddha coming off in the distance,4.3Disvānassa etadahosi:and thought,4.4“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.“Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!4.5Imañhi maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.People travel along this road only after banding closely together in groups of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty.4.6Tepi mama hatthatthaṁ gacchanti.Still they meet their end by my hand.4.7Atha ca panāyaṁ samaṇo eko adutiyo pasayha maññe āgacchati.But still this ascetic comes along alone and unaccompanied, like a conqueror.44.8Yannūnāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ jīvitā voropeyyan”ti.Why don’t I take his life?”
5.1Atha kho coro aṅgulimālo asicammaṁ gahetvā dhanukalāpaṁ sannayhitvā bhagavantaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubandhi.Then Aṅgulimāla donned his sword and shield, fastened his bow and arrows, and followed behind the Buddha.5.2Atha kho bhagavā tathārūpaṁ iddhābhisaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkhāsi yathā coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ pakatiyā gacchantaṁ sabbathāmena gacchanto na sakkoti sampāpuṇituṁ.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.
5.3Atha kho corassa aṅgulimālassa etadahosi:Then Aṅgulimāla thought,5.4“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.“Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!5.5Ahañhi pubbe hatthimpi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, assampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, rathampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, migampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi;Previously, even when I’ve chased a speeding elephant, horse, chariot or deer, I’ve always caught up with them.5.6atha ca panāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ pakatiyā gacchantaṁ sabbathāmena gacchanto na sakkomi sampāpuṇitun”ti.But I can’t catch up with this ascetic no matter how hard I try, even though he’s walking at a normal speed.”5
5.7Ṭhitova bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:He stood still and said,5.8“tiṭṭha, tiṭṭha, samaṇā”ti.“Stop, stop, ascetic!”
5.9“Ṭhito ahaṁ, aṅgulimāla, tvañca tiṭṭhā”ti.“I’ve stopped, Aṅgulimāla—now you stop.”
5.10Atha kho corassa aṅgulimālassa etadahosi:Then Aṅgulimāla thought,5.11“ime kho samaṇā sakyaputtiyā saccavādino saccapaṭiññā.“These ascetics who follow the Sakyan speak the truth.5.12Atha panāyaṁ samaṇo gacchaṁ yevāha:Yet while walking the ascetic says:5.13‘ṭhito ahaṁ, aṅgulimāla, tvañca tiṭṭhā’ti.‘I’ve stopped, Aṅgulimāla—now you stop.’5.14Yannūnāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ puccheyyan”ti.Why don’t I ask him about this?”
6.1Atha kho coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:Then he addressed the Buddha in verse:
6.2“Gacchaṁ vadesi samaṇa ṭhitomhi,“While walking, ascetic, you say ‘I’ve stopped.’66.3Mamañca brūsi ṭhitamaṭṭhitoti;And I have stopped, but you tell me I’ve not.6.4Pucchāmi taṁ samaṇa etamatthaṁ,I’m asking you this, ascetic:6.5Kathaṁ ṭhito tvaṁ ahamaṭṭhitomhī”ti.how is it you’ve stopped and I have not?”
6.6“Ṭhito ahaṁ aṅgulimāla sabbadā,“Aṅgulimāla, I have forever stopped—6.7Sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṁ;I’ve laid aside violence toward all creatures.76.8Tuvañca pāṇesu asaññatosi,But you can’t stop yourself <j>from harming living creatures;6.9Tasmā ṭhitohaṁ tuvamaṭṭhitosī”ti.that’s why I’ve stopped, but you have not.”
6.10PTS 2.100“Cirassaṁ vata me mahito mahesī,“Oh, at long last a renowned great seer,6.11Mahāvanaṁ pāpuṇi saccavādī;an ascetic has followed me into this deep wood.86.12Sohaṁ carissāmi pahāya pāpaṁ,Now that I’ve heard your verse on Dhamma,6.13Sutvāna gāthaṁ tava dhammayuttaṁ”.I shall live without evil.”
6.14Itveva coro asimāvudhañca,With these words, <j>the bandit hurled his sword and weapons6.15Sobbhe papāte narake akiri;down a cliff into an abyss.6.16Avandi coro sugatassa pāde,He venerated the Holy One’s feet,6.17Tattheva naṁ pabbajjaṁ ayāci.and requested the going forth right away.
6.18Buddho ca kho kāruṇiko mahesi,Then the Buddha, the compassionate great seer,6.19Yo satthā lokassa sadevakassa;the Teacher of the world with its gods,6.20“Tamehi bhikkhū”ti tadā avoca,said to him, “Come, monk!”6.21Eseva tassa ahu bhikkhubhāvoti.And with that he became a monk.
7.1Atha kho bhagavā āyasmatā aṅgulimālena pacchāsamaṇena yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.Then the Buddha set out for Sāvatthī with Venerable Aṅgulimāla as his second monk.7.2Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi tadavasari.Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Sāvatthī,7.3Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.where he stayed in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
8.1Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa antepuradvāre mahājanakāyo sannipatitvā uccāsaddo mahāsaddo hoti:Now at that time a crowd had gathered by the gate of King Pasenadi’s royal compound making a colossal racket,8.2“coro te, deva, vijite aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.“In your realm, Your Majesty, there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.8.3Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.He has laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.8.4So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.He is constantly murdering humans, and he wears their fingers as a necklace.8.5Taṁ devo paṭisedhetū”ti.Your Majesty must put a stop to him!”
9.1PTS 2.101Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo pañcamattehi assasatehi sāvatthiyā nikkhami divā divassa.Then King Pasenadi drove out from Sāvatthī in the middle of the day with around five hundred horses,9.2Yena ārāmo tena pāvisi.heading for the monastery.9.3Yāvatikā yānassa bhūmi yānena gantvā yānā paccorohitvā pattikova yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ bhagavā etadavoca: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,
9.4“kiṁ nu te, mahārāja, rājā vā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro kupito vesālikā vā licchavī aññe vā paṭirājāno”ti?“What is it, Great King? Is King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha angry with you, or the Licchavis of Vesālī, or some other opposing ruler?”
10.1“Na kho me, bhante, rājā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro kupito, nāpi vesālikā licchavī, nāpi aññe paṭirājāno.“No, sir.10.2Coro me, bhante, vijite aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.In my realm there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings. …10.3Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.10.4So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.10.5Tāhaṁ, bhante, paṭisedhissāmī”ti.I shall put a stop to him.”9
11.1“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?“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 chaste, ethical, and of good character. What would you do to him?”
11.2“Abhivādeyyāma vā, bhante, paccuṭṭheyyāma vā āsanena vā nimanteyyāma, abhinimanteyyāma vā naṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi, dhammikaṁ vā assa rakkhāvaraṇaguttiṁ saṁvidaheyyāma.“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.1011.3Kuto panassa, bhante, dussīlassa pāpadhammassa evarūpo sīlasaṁyamo bhavissatī”ti?But sir, how could such an immoral, evil man ever have such virtue and restraint?”
12.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavato avidūre nisinno hoti.Now at that time Venerable Aṅgulimāla was sitting not far from the Buddha.12.2Atha kho bhagavā dakkhiṇaṁ bāhuṁ paggahetvā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:Then the Buddha pointed with his right arm and said to the king,12.3“eso, mahārāja, aṅgulimālo”ti.“Great king, this is Aṅgulimāla.”
12.4PTS 2.102Atha kho rañño pasenadissa kosalassa ahudeva bhayaṁ, ahu chambhitattaṁ, ahu lomahaṁso.Then the king became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end.12.5Atha kho bhagavā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ bhītaṁ saṁviggaṁ lomahaṭṭhajātaṁ viditvā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:Knowing this, the Buddha said to him,12.6“mā bhāyi, mahārāja, natthi te ito bhayan”ti.“Do not fear, Great King. You have nothing to fear from him.”1112.7Atha kho rañño pasenadissa kosalassa yaṁ ahosi bhayaṁ vā chambhitattaṁ vā lomahaṁso vā so paṭippassambhi.Then the king’s fear died down.
12.8Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yenāyasmā aṅgulimālo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ etadavoca:Then the king went over to Aṅgulimāla and said,12.9“ayyo no, bhante, aṅgulimālo”ti?“Sir, is the master really Aṅgulimāla?”
12.10“Evaṁ, mahārājā”ti.“Yes, Great King.”
12.11“Kathaṅgotto ayyassa pitā, kathaṅgottā mātā”ti?“What clans were your father and mother from?”
12.12“Gaggo kho, mahārāja, pitā, mantāṇī mātā”ti.“My father was a Gagga, and my mother a Mantāṇī.”12
12.13“Abhiramatu, bhante, ayyo gaggo mantāṇiputto.“Sir, may Master Gagga son of Mantāṇī be happy.12.14Ahamayyassa gaggassa mantāṇiputtassa ussukkaṁ karissāmi cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānan”ti.I’ll make sure that you’re provided with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.”
13.1Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā aṅgulimālo āraññiko hoti piṇḍapātiko paṁsukūliko tecīvariko.But at that time Venerable Aṅgulimāla lived in the wilderness, ate only almsfood, and owned just three robes.13.2Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:So he said to the king,13.3“alaṁ, mahārāja, paripuṇṇaṁ me cīvaran”ti.“Enough, Great King. My robes are complete.”
13.4Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:Then the king went back to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,13.5“acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante.“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing!13.6Yāvañcidaṁ, bhante, bhagavā adantānaṁ dametā, asantānaṁ sametā, aparinibbutānaṁ parinibbāpetā.How the Buddha tames those who are wild, pacifies those who are violent, and extinguishes those who are unquenched!13.7Yañhi mayaṁ, bhante, nāsakkhimhā daṇḍenapi satthenapi dametuṁ so bhagavatā adaṇḍena asattheneva danto.For I was not able to tame him with the rod and the sword, but the Buddha tamed him without rod or sword.1313.8Handa ca dāni mayaṁ, bhante, gacchāma;Well, now, sir, I must go.13.9bahukiccā mayaṁ bahukaraṇīyā”ti.I have many duties, and much to do.”
13.10“Yassadāni, mahārāja, kālaṁ maññasī”ti.“Please, Great King, go at your convenience.”13.11Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi.Then King Pasenadi rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.
14.1PTS 2.103Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.14.2Addasā kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo sāvatthiyaṁ sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno aññataraṁ itthiṁ mūḷhagabbhaṁ vighātagabbhaṁ.Then as he was wandering indiscriminately for almsfood he saw a woman undergoing a distressing obstructed labor.1414.3Disvānassa etadahosi:Seeing this, it occurred to him,14.4“kilissanti vata, bho, sattā;“Oh, beings undergo such travail!1514.5kilissanti vata, bho, sattā”ti.Oh, beings undergo such travail!”
14.6Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: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,14.7“idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ.14.8Addasaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, sāvatthiyaṁ sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno aññataraṁ itthiṁ mūḷhagabbhaṁ vighātagabbhaṁ.14.9Disvāna mayhaṁ etadahosi:14.10‘kilissanti vata bho sattā, kilissanti vata bho sattā’”ti.15.1“Tena hi tvaṁ, aṅgulimāla, yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ evaṁ vadehi:“Well then, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:
15.2‘yatohaṁ, bhagini, jāto nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā’”ti.‘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.’”16
15.3“So hi nūna me, bhante, sampajānamusāvādo bhavissati.“But sir, wouldn’t that be telling a deliberate lie?15.4Mayā hi, bhante, bahū sañcicca pāṇā jīvitā voropitā”ti.For I have intentionally killed many living creatures.”
15.5“Tena hi tvaṁ, aṅgulimāla, yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ evaṁ vadehi:“In that case, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:
15.6‘yatohaṁ, bhagini, ariyāya jātiyā jāto, nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā’”ti.‘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.’”17
15.7“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavato paṭissutvā yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ etadavoca:“Yes, sir,” replied Aṅgulimāla. He went to that woman and said:
15.8“yatohaṁ, bhagini, ariyāya jātiyā jāto, nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā”ti.“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.”
15.9Atha khvāssā itthiyā sotthi ahosi, sotthi gabbhassa.Then that woman was safe, and so was her baby.
16.1PTS 2.104Atha 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.Then Aṅgulimāla, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination 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.
16.2“Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi.He understood: “Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place.”16.3Aññataro kho panāyasmā aṅgulimālo arahataṁ ahosi.And Venerable Aṅgulimāla became one of the perfected.
17.1Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.17.2Tena kho pana samayena aññenapi leḍḍu khitto āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati, aññenapi daṇḍo khitto āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati, aññenapi sakkharā khittā āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati.Now at that time someone threw a stone that hit Aṅgulimāla, someone else threw a stick, and someone else threw gravel.17.3Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhinnena sīsena, lohitena gaḷantena, bhinnena pattena, vipphālitāya saṅghāṭiyā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami.Then Aṅgulimāla—with cracked head, bleeding, his bowl broken, and his outer robe torn—went to the Buddha.
17.4Addasā kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.The Buddha saw him coming off in the distance,17.5Disvāna āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ etadavoca:and said to him,17.6“adhivāsehi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, adhivāsehi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa.“Endure it, brahmin! Endure it, brahmin!17.7Yassa kho tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kammassa vipākena bahūni vassāni bahūni vassasatāni bahūni vassasahassāni niraye pacceyyāsi tassa tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kammassa vipākaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme paṭisaṁvedesī”ti.You’re experiencing in this very life the result of deeds that might have caused you to be tormented in hell for many years, many hundreds or thousands of years.”18
18.1Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo rahogato paṭisallīno vimuttisukhaṁ paṭisaṁvedi;Later, Venerable Aṅgulimāla was experiencing the bliss of release while in private retreat.18.2tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:On that occasion he expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
18.3“Yo pubbeva pamajjitvā,“He who once was heedless,18.4pacchā so nappamajjati;but turned to heedfulness,18.5Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,shines upon this world,18.6abbhā muttova candimā.like the moon freed from clouds.
18.7Yassa pāpaṁ kataṁ kammaṁ,Someone whose bad deed18.8kusalena pidhīyati;is supplanted by the good,18.9Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,shines upon this world,18.10abbhā muttova candimā.like the moon freed from clouds.
18.11Yo have daharo bhikkhu,A young mendicant18.12yuñjati buddhasāsane;devoted to the Buddha’s teaching,18.13Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,shines upon this world,18.14abbhā muttova candimā.like the moon freed from clouds.
18.15Disā hi me dhammakathaṁ suṇantu,May even my enemies <j>hear a Dhamma talk!18.16Disā hi me yuñjantu buddhasāsane;May even my enemies <j>devote themselves to the Buddha’s teaching!18.17Disā hi me te manujā bhajantu,May even my enemies associate with those good men18.18Ye dhammamevādapayanti santo.who establish others in the Dhamma!
18.19PTS 2.105Disā hi me khantivādānaṁ,May even my enemies <j>hear Dhamma at the right time,18.20avirodhappasaṁsīnaṁ;from those who teach acceptance,18.21Suṇantu dhammaṁ kālena,praising acquiescence;18.22tañca anuvidhīyantu.and may they follow that path!
18.23Na hi jātu so mamaṁ hiṁse,For then they’d never wish harm18.24aññaṁ vā pana kiñci naṁ;upon myself or others.18.25Pappuyya paramaṁ santiṁ,Having arrived at ultimate peace,1918.26rakkheyya tasathāvare.they’d look after creatures firm and frail.20
18.27Udakañhi nayanti nettikā,For while irrigators guide water,18.28Usukārā namayanti tejanaṁ;fletchers bend arrows straight,18.29Dāruṁ namayanti tacchakā,and carpenters bend timber straight,18.30Attānaṁ damayanti paṇḍitā.the astute tame themselves.
18.31Daṇḍeneke damayanti,Some tame by using the rod,18.32aṅkusehi kasāhi ca;some with goads, and some with whips.18.33Adaṇḍena asatthena,But the unaffected one tamed me18.34ahaṁ dantomhi tādinā.without rod or sword.
18.35Ahiṁsakoti me nāmaṁ,My name is ‘Harmless’,2118.36hiṁsakassa pure sato;though I used to be harmful.18.37Ajjāhaṁ saccanāmomhi,The name I bear today is true,18.38na naṁ hiṁsāmi kiñci naṁ.for I do no harm to anyone.
18.39Coro ahaṁ pure āsiṁ,I used to be a bandit,18.40aṅgulimāloti vissuto;the notorious Aṅgulimāla.18.41Vuyhamāno mahoghena,Swept away in a great flood,18.42buddhaṁ saraṇamāgamaṁ.I went to the Buddha as a refuge.
18.43Lohitapāṇi pure āsiṁ,I used to have blood on my hands,18.44aṅgulimāloti vissuto;the notorious Aṅgulimāla.18.45Saraṇagamanaṁ passa,See the refuge I’ve found—18.46bhavanetti samūhatā.the leash to existence is eradicated.
18.47Tādisaṁ kammaṁ katvāna,I’ve done many of the sort of deeds18.48bahuṁ duggatigāminaṁ;that lead to a bad destination.18.49Phuṭṭho kammavipākena,The result of my deeds has already struck me,18.50aṇaṇo bhuñjāmi bhojanaṁ.so I enjoy my food free of debt.
18.51Pamādamanuyuñjanti,Fools and simpletons18.52bālā dummedhino janā;devote themselves to negligence.18.53Appamādañca medhāvī,But the wise protect diligence18.54dhanaṁ seṭṭhaṁva rakkhati.as their best treasure.
18.55Mā pamādamanuyuñjetha,Don’t devote yourself to negligence,18.56mā kāmarati santhavaṁ;or delight in erotic intimacy.18.57Appamatto hi jhāyanto,For if you’re diligent and practice absorption,18.58pappoti vipulaṁ sukhaṁ.you’ll attain abundant happiness.
18.59Svāgataṁ nāpagataṁ,It was welcome, not unwelcome,18.60nayidaṁ dummantitaṁ mama;the advice I got was good.18.61Saṁvibhattesu dhammesu,Of the well-explained teachings,18.62yaṁ seṭṭhaṁ tadupāgamaṁ.I arrived at the best.
18.63Svāgataṁ nāpagataṁ,It was welcome, not unwelcome,18.64nayidaṁ dummantitaṁ mama;the advice I got was good.18.65Tisso vijjā anuppattā,I’ve attained the three knowledges18.66kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”
18.67Aṅgulimālasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.