Aṅgulimālasutta

Majjhima Nikāya 86

With Aṅgulimāla · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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thenAtha indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo in the morningpubbaṇhasamayaṁ having robednivāsetvā taking bowl and robepattacīvaramādāya in Sāvatthīsāvatthiyaṁ for almspiṇḍāya enteredpāvisi.
sawAddasā indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo in Sāvatthīsāvatthiyaṁ indiscriminatelysapadānaṁ for almspiṇḍāya wanderingcaramāno a certainaññataraṁ womanitthiṁ with obstructed labormūḷhagabbhaṁ with distressed laborvighātagabbhaṁ.
having seen, to himDisvānassa this occurredetadahosi:
they undergo travail“kilissanti ohvata, sirbho, beingssattā;
they undergo travailkilissanti ohvata, sirbho, beingssattā”ti.
thenAtha indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo in Sāvatthīsāvatthiyaṁ for almspiṇḍāya having wanderedcaritvā after the mealpacchābhattaṁ returned from almsroundpiṇḍapātapaṭikkanto whereyena the Blessed Onebhagavā there he approachedtenupasaṅkami; having approachedupasaṅkamitvā the Blessed Onebhagavantaṁ having bowedabhivādetvā to one sideekamantaṁ sat downnisīdi. to one sideEkamantaṁ seatednisinno indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo the Blessed Onebhagavantaṁ said thisetadavoca:
here I“idhāhaṁ, venerable sirbhante, in the morningpubbaṇhasamayaṁ having robednivāsetvā taking bowl and robepattacīvaramādāya Sāvatthīsāvatthiṁ for almspiṇḍāya enteredpāvisiṁ.
I sawAddasaṁ indeedkho Iahaṁ, venerable sirbhante, in Sāvatthīsāvatthiyaṁ indiscriminatelysapadānaṁ for almspiṇḍāya wanderingcaramāno a certainaññataraṁ womanitthiṁ with obstructed labormūḷhagabbhaṁ with distressed laborvighātagabbhaṁ.
having seenDisvāna to memayhaṁ this occurredetadahosi:
they undergo travail‘kilissanti ohvata sirbho beingssattā, they undergo travailkilissanti ohvata sirbho beingssattā’”ti.

Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then as he was wandering indiscriminately for almsfood he saw a woman undergoing a distressing obstructed labor. Seeing this, it occurred to him, “Oh, beings undergo such travail! Oh, beings undergo such travail!” 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,

by this“Tena wellhi youtvaṁ, Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimāla, whereyena thatsā womanitthī go to hertenupasaṅkama; having approachedupasaṅkamitvā thattaṁ womanitthiṁ thusevaṁ sayvadehi:
since I‘yatohaṁ, sisterbhagini, bornjāto I do not recallnābhijānāmi intentionallysañcicca living creaturepāṇaṁ of lifejīvitā having deprivedvoropetā, by thistena truthsaccena safetysotthi for youte may there behotu, safetysotthi for the babygabbhassā’”ti.
that“So indeedhi surelynūna for meme, sirbhante, a deliberate liesampajānamusāvādo will bebhavissati.
by meMayā indeedhi, sirbhante, manybahū intentionallysañcicca living creaturespāṇā of lifejīvitā deprivedvoropitā”ti.
by this“Tena wellhi youtvaṁ, Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimāla, whereyena thatsā womanitthī go to hertenupasaṅkama; having approachedupasaṅkamitvā thattaṁ womanitthiṁ thusevaṁ sayvadehi:
since I‘yatohaṁ, sisterbhagini, nobleariyāya birthjātiyā bornjāto, I do not recallnābhijānāmi intentionallysañcicca living creaturepāṇaṁ of lifejīvitā having deprivedvoropetā, by thistena truthsaccena safetysotthi for youte may there behotu, safetysotthi for the babygabbhassā’”ti.
yes“Evaṁ, sirbhante”ti indeedkho Venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo of the Blessed Onebhagavato having assentedpaṭissutvā whereyena thatsā womanitthī went to hertenupasaṅkami; having approachedupasaṅkamitvā thattaṁ womanitthiṁ said thisetadavoca:

“Well then, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this: ‘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.’” “But sir, wouldn’t that be telling a deliberate lie? For I have intentionally killed many living creatures.” “In that case, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this: ‘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.’” “Yes, sir,” replied Aṅgulimāla. He went to that woman and said:

since I“yatohaṁ, sisterbhagini, nobleariyāya birthjātiyā bornjāto, I do not recallnābhijānāmi intentionallysañcicca living creaturepāṇaṁ of lifejīvitā having takenvoropetā, by thistena truthsaccena safetysotthi for youte may it behotu, safetysotthi for the babygabbhassā”ti.
thenAtha for herkhvāssā womanitthiyā safetysotthi wasahosi, safetysotthi for the babygabbhassa.

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

thenAtha indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo aloneeko withdrawnvūpakaṭṭho diligentappamatto keenātāpī resolutepahitatto livingviharanto soonnacirasseva—yassatthāya gentlemenkulaputtā rightlysammadeva from the lay lifeagārasmā to homelessnessanagāriyaṁ they go forthpabbajanti, the supreme culmination of the spiritual pathtadanuttaraṁ—brahmacariyapariyosānaṁ in this very lifediṭṭheva in the dhammadhamme himselfsayaṁ with insightabhiññā having realizedsacchikatvā having attainedupasampajja he livedvihāsi.
ended“Khīṇā rebirthjāti, has been completedvusitaṁ the spiritual journeybrahmacariyaṁ, has been donekataṁ what had to be donekaraṇīyaṁ, there is nothing furthernāparaṁ for this placeitthattāyā”ti he understoodabbhaññāsi.
one ofAññataro indeedkho and venerablepanāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo of the perfectedarahataṁ becameahosi.

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. 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.” And Venerable Aṅgulimāla became one of the perfected.

thenAtha indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo in the morningpubbaṇhasamayaṁ having robednivāsetvā taking bowl and robepattacīvaramādāya Sāvatthīsāvatthiṁ for almspiṇḍāya entered.pāvisi.
thenTena indeedkho nowpana at that timesamayena by someoneaññenapi a clodleḍḍu thrownkhitto of the venerableāyasmato of Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālassa on the bodykāye falls.nipatati, by someoneaññenapi a stickdaṇḍo thrownkhitto of the venerableāyasmato of Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālassa on the bodykāye falls.nipatati, by someoneaññenapi gravelsakkharā thrownkhittā of the venerableāyasmato of Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālassa on the bodykāye falls.nipatati.
thenAtha indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo with splitbhinnena head,sīsena, with bloodlohitena dripping,gaḷantena, with brokenbhinnena bowl,pattena, with tornvipphālitāya outer robesaṅghāṭiyā whereyena the Blessed Onebhagavā there he approached.tenupasaṅkami.
sawAddasā indeedkho the Blessed Onebhagavā venerableāyasmantaṁ Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālaṁ from afardūratova coming.āgacchantaṁ.
having seenDisvāna venerableāyasmantaṁ Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālaṁ said this:etadavoca:
endure“adhivāsehi you,tvaṁ, brahmin,brāhmaṇa, endureadhivāsehi you,tvaṁ, brahmin.brāhmaṇa.
of whichYassa indeedkho you,tvaṁ, brahmin,brāhmaṇa, of kammakammassa by the resultvipākena manybahūni yearsvassāni manybahūni hundreds of yearsvassasatāni manybahūni thousands of yearsvassasahassāni in hellniraye you might experiencepacceyyāsi of thattassa you,tvaṁ, brahmin,brāhmaṇa, of kammakammassa the resultvipākaṁ in this very lifediṭṭheva in the Dhammadhamme you are experiencing."paṭisaṁvedesī”ti.

Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Now at that time someone threw a stone that hit Aṅgulimāla, someone else threw a stick, and someone else threw gravel. Then Aṅgulimāla—with cracked head, bleeding, his bowl broken, and his outer robe torn—went to the Buddha. The Buddha saw him coming off in the distance, and said to him, “Endure it, brahmin! Endure it, brahmin! 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.”

thenAtha indeedkho venerableāyasmā Aṅgulimālaaṅgulimālo gone to solituderahogato retiredpaṭisallīno bliss of releasevimuttisukhaṁ experiencedpaṭisaṁvedi;
on thattāyaṁ occasionvelāyaṁ thisimaṁ heartfelt sentimentudānaṁ expressedudānesi:
who“Yo formerlypubbeva having been heedlesspamajjitvā,
afterwardspacchā heso is not heedlessnappamajjati;
he thisSomaṁ worldlokaṁ illuminatespabhāseti,
from cloudsabbhā like freedmuttova mooncandimā.
whoseYassa badpāpaṁ donekataṁ deedkammaṁ,
by goodkusalena is coveredpidhīyati;
he thisSomaṁ worldlokaṁ illuminatespabhāseti,
from cloudsabbhā like freedmuttova mooncandimā.
whoYo indeedhave youngdaharo mendicantbhikkhu,
is devotedyuñjati Buddha's teachingbuddhasāsane;
he thisSomaṁ worldlokaṁ illuminatespabhāseti,
from cloudsabbhā like freedmuttova mooncandimā.
enemiesDisā indeedhi myme Dhamma talkdhammakathaṁ may hearsuṇantu,
enemiesDisā indeedhi myme may devoteyuñjantu Buddha's teachingbuddhasāsane;
enemiesDisā indeedhi myme thosete peoplemanujā may associate withbhajantu,
whoYe establish in the Dhammadhammamevādapayanti goodsanto.
enemiesDisā indeedhi myme of those teaching acceptancekhantivādānaṁ,
praising acquiescenceavirodhappasaṁsīnaṁ;
may hearSuṇantu Dhammadhammaṁ at the right timekālena,
and thattañca may followanuvidhīyantu.
notNa indeedhi everjātu heso memamaṁ harmhiṁse,
anotheraññaṁ orvā againpana anykiñci himnaṁ;
having attainedPappuyya ultimateparamaṁ peacesantiṁ,
would protectrakkheyya firm and frailtasathāvare.
water indeedUdakañhi guidenayanti irrigatorsnettikā,
fletchersUsukārā bend straightnamayanti arrowtejanaṁ;

Later, Venerable Aṅgulimāla was experiencing the bliss of release while in private retreat. On that occasion he expressed this heartfelt sentiment: “He who once was heedless, but turned to heedfulness, shines upon this world, like the moon freed from clouds. Someone whose bad deed is supplanted by the good, shines upon this world, like the moon freed from clouds. A young mendicant devoted to the Buddha’s teaching, shines upon this world, like the moon freed from clouds. May even my enemies hear a Dhamma talk! May even my enemies devote themselves to the Buddha’s teaching! May even my enemies associate with those good men who establish others in the Dhamma! May even my enemies hear Dhamma at the right time, from those who teach acceptance, praising acquiescence; and may they follow that path! For then they’d never wish harm upon myself or others. Having arrived at ultimate peace, they’d look after creatures firm and frail. For while irrigators guide water, fletchers bend arrows straight,

timberDāruṁ they bendnamayanti carpenterstacchakā,
themselvesAttānaṁ they tamedamayanti the astutepaṇḍitā.
some by rodDaṇḍeneke they tamedamayanti,
with goadsaṅkusehi with whipskasāhi andca;
without rodAdaṇḍena without swordasatthena,
Iahaṁ I am tameddantomhi by the unaffected onetādinā.
Harmless indeedAhiṁsakoti myme namenāmaṁ,
of harmfulhiṁsakassa beforepure beingsato;
today I amAjjāhaṁ I am true-namedsaccanāmomhi,
notna thatnaṁ I harmhiṁsāmi anykiñci creaturenaṁ.
banditCoro Iahaṁ beforepure I wasāsiṁ,
Aṅgulimāla indeedaṅgulimāloti notoriousvissuto;
swept awayVuyhamāno by a great floodmahoghena,
to the Buddhabuddhaṁ I went as refugesaraṇamāgamaṁ.
bloody-handedLohitapāṇi beforepure I wasāsiṁ,
Aṅgulimāla indeedaṅgulimāloti notoriousvissuto;
the refuge goingSaraṇagamanaṁ seepassa,
leash to existencebhavanetti eradicatedsamūhatā.
suchTādisaṁ deedskammaṁ having donekatvāna,
manybahuṁ leading to a bad destinationduggatigāminaṁ;
struckPhuṭṭho by the result of deedskammavipākena,
free of debtaṇaṇo I enjoybhuñjāmi foodbhojanaṁ.
they devote themselves to negligencePamādamanuyuñjanti,
foolsbālā simpletonsdummedhino peoplejanā;
and diligenceAppamādañca the wise onemedhāvī,
treasuredhanaṁ like the bestseṭṭhaṁva protectsrakkhati.
do notMā devote yourself to negligencepamādamanuyuñjetha,
do notmā in erotic intimacykāmarati delightsanthavaṁ;
diligentAppamatto indeedhi practicing absorptionjhāyanto,
he attainspappoti abundantvipulaṁ happinesssukhaṁ.
welcomeSvāgataṁ not unwelcomenāpagataṁ,
not indeed thisnayidaṁ bad advicedummantitaṁ mymama;
in well-explainedSaṁvibhattesu teachingsdhammesu,
whatyaṁ bestseṭṭhaṁ that I arrived attadupāgamaṁ.
welcomeSvāgataṁ not unwelcomenāpagataṁ,
not indeed thisnayidaṁ bad advicedummantitaṁ mymama;
threeTisso knowledgesvijjā attainedanuppattā,
donekataṁ of the Buddhabuddhassa instructionsāsanan”ti.

and carpenters bend timber straight, the astute tame themselves. Some tame by using the rod, some with goads, and some with whips. But the unaffected one tamed me without rod or sword. My name is ‘Harmless’, though I used to be harmful. The name I bear today is true, for I do no harm to anyone. I used to be a bandit, the notorious Aṅgulimāla. Swept away in a great flood, I went to the Buddha as a refuge. I used to have blood on my hands, the notorious Aṅgulimāla. See the refuge I’ve found— the leash to existence is eradicated. I’ve done many of the sort of deeds that lead to a bad destination. The result of my deeds has already struck me, so I enjoy my food free of debt. Fools and simpletons devote themselves to negligence. But the wise protect diligence as their best treasure. Don’t devote yourself to negligence, or delight in erotic intimacy. For if you’re diligent and practice absorption, you’ll attain abundant happiness. It was welcome, not unwelcome, the advice I got was good. Of the well-explained teachings, I arrived at the best. It was welcome, not unwelcome, the advice I got was good. I’ve attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”

the Aṅgulimāla discourseAṅgulimālasuttaṁ completedniṭṭhitaṁ the sixthchaṭṭhaṁ.

The Aṅgulimāla discourse is completed, the sixth.

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