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Buddha Sutras |
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Mantras Sanskrit |
| Home | Introduction | Sutras | Translators | Mantras | Prayers | Sanskrit | Glossary |
Sūtra 54 (posted 03/2016, updated 10/2016) Book information on Home page
fascicle 1 fascicle 2 fascicle 3 fascicle 4
Thus I have heard:
At one time the Buddha was outside Śrāvastī [the capital city of Kauśala], staying in Jetavana Park, which was purchased for the Buddha from Prince Jeta by Anāthapiṇḍika the Elder. He was accompanied by innumerable Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas, His four groups of disciples, and innumerable gods, dragons, yakṣas, gandharvas, asuras, garuḍas, kiṁnaras, mahoragas, piśācas, and rākṣasas, as well as the god-son Sun-Moon, the four world-protecting god-kings, and celestial māras.
At that time the World-Honored One, to widely expound the wondrous Dharma to deliver sentient beings, pronounced a mahāvaipulya sūtra called Wielding a Sword. Good in the beginning, in the middle, and in the end, [its teaching was] completely pure and fully revealed good meaning, good flavor, and the appearance of the Brahma way of pure life.
Not too far north of Śrāvastī was a village called Sana. There lived a poor woman named Bhadrā, in the Brahmin caste.[1] Her son, World Appearance, lost his father when he was young. At age twenty,[2] his body, strength, and appearance were outstanding, and he was intelligent and eloquent. There was another village, called Prahasa. Having lived there for a long time was a Brahmin master named Maṇibhadra, who had mastered the four Vedas, and World Appearance studied under him. Humble, submissive, and respectful, World Appearance made offerings to him with total devotion.
One day, at the invitation of King Prasenajit [the king of Kauśala], Maṇibhadra left his house and told World Appearance to stay there. Maṇibhadra’s wife was a young and comely woman. Lusting for World Appearance, she disregarded all propriety and grabbed him by his clothes. World Appearance said to her, “You are virtually my mother. How can you do this wicked thing in your house?”
Ashamed and fearful, he abandoned his clothes and evaded her.
Driven by burning desire, she wept and thought, “He flatly refused to comply with my will. Because he disobeyed me, I want to end his life, so that he cannot marry.”
Consumed by burning desire like a disease, she scratched her body with her fingernails. Then she suspended herself with a rope, her feet still on the floor. After Maṇibhadra finished his business, he came home and saw his wife suspended on a rope. He cut off the rope with a knife and loudly asked her, “Who did this?”
She answered, “World Appearance tried to ravage me and forced me to do this.”
Maṇibhadra knew that World Appearance had the power of great virtue, as he thought to himself, “The day he was born, all those in the kṣatriya [warrior] caste were terrified because their sabers and swords unsheathed themselves, bent, and fell to the ground. So I know that he has the power of great virtue.”
After pondering, he said to World Appearance, “You are shamefully honored by evil men and are not a true Brahmin. You should kill a thousand people to expunge your sin.”
World Appearance was by nature humbly obedient. Respectful of his teacher’s words, he said, “Alas, Preceptor, killing a thousand people is not something I should do.”
His teacher asked him, “You are an evil man. Do you not aspire to becoming a Brahmin and being reborn in heaven?”
He answered, “Very well, Preceptor, at your command, I will kill a thousand people.” Then he prostrated himself at his teacher’s feet.
His teacher marveled at his obedience and said, “Because you are a hugely evil man, you will not be killed.”
Then he thought, “I will let him die [by law].”
He told World Appearance, “From every person you have killed, take a finger. After you have killed a thousand people, use their fingers to make a garland, wear it, and come back. Then you can become a Brahmin.”
World Appearance said to his teacher, “Very well, Preceptor, I will follow your instruction.”
Then he killed nine hundred ninety-nine people, short of a thousand by only one, and became known as Aṅgulimāla [Finger Garland].
At that time Aṅgulimāla’s mother thought that her son might be hungry. She took four kinds of fine food and went to give to him. When he saw his mother [in the distance], he thought, “I should enable my mother to be reborn in heaven.”
He drew his sword and went to kill her.
At that time [the World-Honored One was sitting under] a tree called aśoka [carefree], ten yojanas less ten feet from Śrāvastī. Using his wisdom [He knew that Aṅgulimāla was about to kill his mother]. As elegant as a goose-king, He walked toward Aṅgulimāla. When Aṅgulimāla saw the World-Honored One approaching, he drew his sword and quickly charged forward. He thought, “I will kill this śramaṇa called Gautama.”
When the World-Honored walked away, Aṅgulimāla spoke in verse:
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the prince of King Śuddhodana.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who has no greed and dons a dyed robe.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who shaved off His hair to blemish his appearance.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is content and holds a begging bowl.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is fearless and roams like a lion.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is robust and walks like a ferocious tiger.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is elegant and walks like a goose-king.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is serene and walks like an elephant.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is radiant like the rising sun.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is radiant like the full moon.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is majestic like a mountain of gold.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is like the eye of a thousand-petaled lotus flower.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one whose teeth are like the petals of a white lotus flower.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one whose tongue speaks truthful words.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who has a white hair between His eyebrows.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who has lustrous purple hair.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one whose long arms reach below the knees.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is free from desire and whose male organ is hidden like that of the horse-king.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one whose kneecaps are inconspicuous.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who has copper-colored fingernails and toenails.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who takes light steps.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one whose voice is like that of the kalaviṅka bird.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one whose kākila [throat] emits wonderful tones.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who emits 100 koṭi beams of radiant light.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one whose faculties excel in taming sentient beings.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who possesses the Ten Powers.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who upholds the Four Noble Truths.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who reveals the Eightfold Right Path to benefit others.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who possesses the thirty-two physical marks [of a great man].
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who possesses the eighty excellent physical characteristics.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who has ended forever His love and desire.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, and do not anger me.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who is extraordinary, never before seen.
I am Aṅgulimāla, and must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa, the one who conquers the arrogance of the god-king Indra, asuras, and rākṣasas.
Who are you, walking so fast?
Before I slay You with my sword, You should know that this is the time to stand still.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa.
Have you not heard my name?
I am Aṅgulimāla, and You should quickly relinquish a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa.
All those who hear my name die from fear.
How can anyone survive after seeing me face to face?
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa.
Quickly tell me who You are.
Are You the sky or the wind
As You walk swiftly before me?
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa.
I am tired now
And cannot catch up with You,
But I must take a finger of Yours.
Stand still, stand still, great śramaṇa.
Because You observe well the pure precepts,
You should quickly relinquish a finger of Yours,
Not to cross me.
Then the World-Honored One, like a goose-king, walked seven steps and looked about like a lion. He spoke to Aṅgulimāla in verse:
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in [the truth that dharmas have] no birth,[3] which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the true reality [of dharmas], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in [the truth that dharmas have] no action,[4] which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in what is asaṁskṛta [free from conditions], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no aging, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no illness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no death, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no taints, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no afflictions, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no sins, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the truth [of dharmas], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the Dharma, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in accordance with the Dharma, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in quietness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in stability, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no worry, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in freedom from worry, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no soil, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in freedom from soil, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no weakness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no disaster, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no distress, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no trouble, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in freedom from trouble, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in nonexistence, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the immeasurable, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the unsurpassable, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in utmost excellence, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in eternity, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in exaltation, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in superiority, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no destruction, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no collapse, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the boundless, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the invisible, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the profound Dharma, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in what is hard to see, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in what is subtle and tiny, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the entire Dharma, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in what is extremely hard to see, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no fixity, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no dispute, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no differentiation, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in nothing, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in liberation, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in silence, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in stillness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in superior stillness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no cessation, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide on that shore,[5] which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in wondrousness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no falsity, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no constraints, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no arrogance, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no illusion, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no delusion, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in equability, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the dharma realm, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no entrance [into anything], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in pure goodness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in transcending the world, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no motion, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the Dharma hall, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no regrets, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in rest, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the ultimate, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the end of the three poisons [greed, anger, and delusion], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the end of afflictions, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the end of remnants, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the depletion of the three poisons, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the eradication [of afflictions], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in relinquishment, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in protecting [sentient beings], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide as [sentient beings’] reliance, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide on [sentient beings’] life-paths, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide as a safe island [for sentient beings], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in accommodating all, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no stinginess, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no thirst [for rebirth], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in relinquishing everything, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in leaving everything behind, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in stopping everything, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the end of suffering, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the bliss of emptiness, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in ridding fetters, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in the end of love [of being], which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in no desire, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
I abide in nirvāṇa, which you do not know.
You are Aṅgulimāla, and I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
I now give you the water of the unsurpassed good Dharma.
You should drink it quickly to end forever your thirst for birth and death.
Abide, abide, Aṅgulimāla, abide in the pure precepts.
I am a Samyak-Saṁbuddha, and give you the sword of wisdom.
Quickly cast away your sharp sword and return to radiant wisdom.
Do not follow the wisdom of an evil teacher, who claims that non-dharma is dharma.
Taste the supreme medicine and come to profound self-realization.
All [sentient beings] dread the pain of being clubbed, and love their lives.
Using yourself as an example, do not kill and do not tell others to kill.
As self and others are no different, so too are others and self.
Using yourself as an example, do not kill and do not tell others to kill.
Do not assume the form of a rākṣasa, who smears its body with human blood.
Do not wield a sharp sword stained with human blood.
Quickly cast away your finger garland and end the karma of a double life.[6]
Your double life does not accord with the Dharma, but is that of an evil rākṣasa.
Even a lamb knows devotion to its mother.
Sadly, you are pitiable because you were misguided by an evil teacher,
Wielded a sharp sword, and killed those born to live [their lives].
The karma you have done is more evil than that done by animal predators.
Your killings surpass a rākṣasa’s.
You will enter the gang of evil māras, and be forever separate from humans.
Denounce the rebellious evil one, who does not requite his mother’s kindness.
She carries, protects, and nourishes him in her womb for twelve months.
After he is born, she nurses him and endures his filth day and night.
Observe your mother, who is shedding bloody tears.
Out of love and concern for you, she has brought you food in person.
Her hair is disarrayed by wind, and her body is soiled by dust.
Her hands and feet are cracked, revealing the suffering of her deteriorating body.
Long distressed by hunger and thirst through winter and summer,
Her mind is perturbed as she laments her suffering.
When Aṅgulimāla’s mother heard the dialogue between the Buddha-Bhagavān and her son, and saw that her son’s mind was subjugated, because he lowered his menacing arm, concerned for her son, she spoke to the Buddha in verse:
Today a long-lost treasure store is recovered.
My eyes, impaired by dust and filth, have become bright and clear.
How sad that my son’s mind was deranged
As he smeared his body with human blood.
Constantly holding a sharp sword in his hand,
He killed many people, who became a pile of corpses.
I would like my son to follow me
To reverently bow down to the Samyak-Saṁbuddha.
Many who see me scold me in foul language
Because I have such a son.
Then the World-Honored One told Aṅgulimāla, “Under this tree is your mother, who gave birth to you and reared you. Her great kindness is hard for you to requite. How can you kill her to have her be reborn in heaven? Aṅgulimāla, whoever claims that non-dharma is dharma is like a thirsty deer that seeks water in a mirage in springtime. Likewise are you. Because you follow an evil teacher’s instruction, you are confused. Whoever does non-dharma and claims that it is dharma, after death, will fall into the indiscriminate hell.[7]
“Aṅgulimāla, come quickly to take refuge in the Tathāgata. Aṅgulimāla, have no fear. The Tathāgata’s great lovingkindness is the place of no fear. He regards all sentient beings equally as Rāhula [His only son], and cures their diseases. For those without reliance, He serves as their reliance. The stability of the Tathāgata is their rest place. For those without kin, He serves as their kin. For those in poverty, He serves as their treasure store. To those who have lost the Buddha path, He indicates the unsurpassed path. For those in fear, he serves as their protector. For those adrift, He serves as their ship.
“You should quickly cast away your sharp sword, and renounce family life to train to attain bodhi. You should prostrate yourself at your mother’s feet to repent and cleanse [off your sin]. Earnestly request her permission to renounce family life in order to deliver her from her suffering in the Three Realms of Existence. I now approve your renouncement of family life and your acceptance of the complete monastic precepts. You now should drink the Dharma water like sweet dew. You are tired after long roaming in confusion on the evil path. You now should rest. You will become a giver like me, to give benefits to all those who abide by the law and enable them to cross the ocean of birth and death.”
Forthwith Aṅgulimāla cast away his sharp sword. As a yearling infant recoils at once when he touches fire, and cries as his hands tremble, likewise Aṅgulimāla cast away his finger garland at once and cried aloud as his hands trembled. If a man in deep sleep is bitten on the foot by a snake, he immediately awakens and casts the snake far away. Likewise Aṅgulimāla cast away his finger garland. Then Aṅgulimāla, as if having exorcized possession by a nonhuman, regained his sense of shame and sense of dishonor. His entire body sweated blood, and his tears poured like rain. As a good doctor recites a mantra to a patient bitten by a snake to have him slither like a snake, so Aṅgulimāla slithered on his abdomen in a circle thirty-nine times. Then he moved forward, prostrated himself at the Buddha’s feet, and spoke in verse:
Amazing! The Saṁbuddha, the one who possesses the foremost lovingkindness,
The tamer and teacher of men, comes to me,
To enable me to cross the ocean of ignorance,
Which abounds with dark waves of delusion and confusion.
Amazing! The Saṁbuddha, the one who possesses the foremost compassion,
The teacher and tamer of men, comes to me,
To deliver me from the wilderness of birth and death,
Which abounds with the thorn brushes of various afflictions.
Amazing! The Saṁbuddha, the one who possesses the foremost sympathetic joy,
The teacher and tamer of men, comes to me,
To deliver me from my delusions,
Caused by the wrong views, like the perils of tigers, wolves, and other predators.
Amazing! The Saṁbuddha, the one who possesses the foremost equability,
The teacher and tamer of men, comes to me,
To deliver me from the indiscriminate hell
And save me from immeasurable suffering.
For those without reliance, He serves as their reliance.
For those without kin, He serves as their kin.
He now comes to me to be my refuge,
Though I am laden with evil karmas and bound for tremendous suffering.
Then the World-Honored One told Aṅgulimāla, “Rise, quickly go to your mother, earnestly repent, and request her permission to renounce family life.”
Aṅgulimāla rose from his place at the Buddha’s feet and went to his mother. He circled her many times and prostrated himself. He earnestly repented and cried out in sorrow. Then he spoke to his mother in verse:
Alas, loving-kind mother, I have made grave mistakes,
Gathering evil karmas into a mass of sins.
I followed my evil teacher’s instruction to commit murder
And killed nine hundred ninety-nine people, short of a thousand by only one.
I now take refuge in my mother
And take refuge in the Buddha-Bhagavān.
I bow down at my mother’s feet
And request her permission to renounce family life.
His mother answered in verse:
I now give you permission
To renounce family life for the sake of your next life.
I also beseech the Tathāgata to permit me
To renounce family and accept the complete monastic precepts.
Amazing, inconceivable!
The Tathāgata is beyond analogy.
The Buddha, who now delivers my son,
Pities all in the world.
His sublime physical body
And virtues are unparalleled.
I now praise Him,
The supreme god of gods.
Then the World-Honored One answered in verse:
Very good, good woman!
You will enjoy uninterrupted joy
Because you permit your son
To renounce family life before me.
You now are old and feeble,
Already past the time to renounce family life.[8]
Nevertheless, you should have the joy of deep faith
And take the Dharma as your rest place.
You now should wait a little while,
For the arrival of King Prasenajit.
Then the god-king Śakra and his celestial multitude, including palace maids and retinues, emitted light from their bodies to illuminate the city of Śrāvastī. Having seen that Aṅgulimāla confronted the Buddha, lost his strength, changed his state of mind, and repented of his sins, they rejoiced, and the god-king Śakra spoke in verse:
Amazing! The hero who possesses the Ten Powers,
The tamer of men, the unequaled one,
Tamed Aṅgulimāla,
Who used to smear his body with blood.
When the generous god-king Indra, asuras, rākṣasas,
Violent yakṣas, dragons, kiṁnaras,
Strong garuḍas, and evil men
Heard of Aṅgulimāla, they closed their eyes out of fear.
How can a human king not be terrified upon seeing him?
When he was born, even dragons trembled with fear.
The armors of those in the kṣatriya caste fell apart, and their sabers and swords fell [to the ground].
How can a human king not be terrified upon seeing him?
However, the Tathāgata has tamed him, who has done such evil karma.
As the power of the Buddha is inconceivable, so too is His wisdom.
Amazing! Aṅgulimāla now well abides in the pure precepts,
And his Brahma way of life is pure like a mountain of gold.
Amazing! Today I rejoice that I have received the benefits of the good Dharma.
I now offer Aṅgulimāla a garment,
And pray that he will accept it because of the World-Honored One’s compassion.
I now offer Aṅgulimāla the Dharma robe of a śramaṇa.
He will become a great mendicant king, as the World-Honored One can see.
Then the god-king Śakra said to Aṅgulimāla, “I pray that the great one will accept this celestial garment as his Dharma robe.”
Aṅgulimāla said to the god-king Śakra, “What kind of mosquito or small insect are you? How can I accept alms from you? What kind of greedy donkey are you? You have not crossed the long flow of suffering from birth and death, and are in poor shape. How can you give away a robe as alms? You should know that you are in poor shape. How can you give anyone a priceless robe as alms?
“As an analogy, a king has a thousand strong men. However, before they see bandits, they already fall to the ground. How can they fight a thousand strong warriors of the enemy state? Hence, if I accepted this priceless robe, how could I subjugate a koṭi affliction māras and self-essence māras? I should eradicate countless afflictions, which is praised by the Buddha. I, a śramaṇa, should do the twelve dhūta practices.
“You are not a god-king because you are no different from those born blind. God-King Śakra, you do not know how to differentiate dharmas. What is called an atrocious evil karma? You are a mosquito. How can you know whether I am a violent evil man? Alas, God-King Śakra, if you regard Aṅgulimāla as a violent evil man, how can you understand the true meaning of the Buddha Dharma? What kind of śramaṇa would don a priceless robe when he has just renounced family life? You do not know the purity of renouncing family life.
“Alas, God-King Śakra, you are an outsider to the Tathāgata’s true Dharma [saddharma]. His eldest son, Mahākāśyapa the Elder, had 80,000 treasure troves of jewels and countless other treasure stores, and various priceless precious garments. He discarded them all like spit. A śramaṇa has renounced family life to train to attain bodhi. He should do the twelve ascetic dhūta practices. Why does he not abandon self-restraint by donning a priceless robe?
“Mahākāśyapa the Elder forsook various kinds of delectable fine food and the flavor of flesh. He does spiritual training and refrains from eating flesh. When he begs for food from door to door, he never has any aversion. He remains the same, unchanged by pain or pleasure. When he begs for food, some say that they have no food for him, and some scold or insult him. He always responds, ‘Have peace and joy,’ then leaves, his mind never moving. If some say that they have food for him, he does not entertain greed or feel happy. He always responds, ‘Have peace and joy,’ accepts the food, and leaves, his mind never moving.
“If one gives great wealth as alms to monks, one’s treasure stores will never be depleted. Why does one give alms not to monks, but to hungry ghosts, poor people, and forlorn beggars? God-King Śakra, a śramaṇa’s way of life is not to accumulate things, not even salt or oil. Therefore, keeping slaves, servants, farmland, or houses, buying or selling impure things, or giving or accepting impure things is not a śramaṇa’s way of life, but the way of one who lives a family life.
“Those who share your huge ignorance should be tamed, like treating weeds that harm seedlings. Those whom I killed and whose fingers I made into a garland were sentient beings that sabotaged the Dharma. None was a bhikṣu, bhikṣuṇī, upāsaka, or upāsikā.”
Then the god-king Śakra asked Aṅgulimāla, “No harm is dharma. As the Tathāgata regards all sentient being equally as Rāhula, how can an evil man be tamed?”
Aṅgulimāla answered, “How do you know the difference between harm and no harm? Their appearances are like a magician’s skillful means that others do not know. However, a Bodhisattva knows illusory states. You are an outsider to the Buddha Dharma. How can you know that there are two kinds of harm and no harm, such as no harm done by a Bodhisattva and no harm done by a voice-hearer? You are a puny mosquito. How can you know these two kinds of no harm? The difference between your state and a Bodhisattva’s state is like a mosquito’s wings that cover the open sky. Suppose that a śramaṇa is [in danger of] being abducted by a nonhuman. Should people safeguard him?”
The god-king Śakra answered, “They should.”
Aṅgulimāla asked, “Indeed. If [that nonhuman] dies because of their safeguarding, who is guilty [of murder]?”
The god-king Śakra answered, “Those who have no intention to harm anyone are not guilty.”
Aṅgulimāla said, “If the guardians kill evil ones in the process of taming them, they are not guilty of murder. Instead, they will acquire immeasurable excellent merit. This is called a Bodhisattva’s doing no harm. Indeed, the difference between harm and no harm is hard to know.
“Suppose that a good doctor treats a patient. He uses a hook to hook out his tongue. If the patient dies, is the doctor guilty [of murder]?”
“No. That good doctor benefits patients, without any intention to harm any of them.”
“When one tames evil ones, if one causes their death, is one guilty [of murder]?”
“No. One will acquire immeasurable merit, unless one intended to harm them.”
“If a student studies under a teacher and dies because of his teachings, is his teacher guilty [of murder]?”
“No, unless he intended to harm his student.”
“If evil ones die after seeing a dignified or prominent person, has he committed a sin subject to repentance?”
“No, unless he intended to harm them.
“Therefore, God-King Śakra, you do not know the difference between good karma and evil karma, nor that between a śramaṇa and a non-śramaṇa. The evil ones who sabotage the true Dharma should be tamed.
“For example, eighty great voice-hearers, such as Mahākāśyapa the Elder, relinquished their great treasure stores and renounced family life to train to attain bodhi. Abiding in the true Dharma, they have few desires and much contentment. Does a bhikṣu need to don a priceless robe? All bhikṣus shave off their hair and beard, travel alone with a begging bowl, and survive by begging for food. How can such a bhikṣu abandon self-restraint? He is oppressed by heat and cold, hunger and thirst. His feet tread dirt as do a wild deer’s. He never violates even a minor precept, like a yak that loves its tail. He protects [the purity of] the precepts, like a bird sitting on its chicks. Like an elephant with a broken tusk, he has lost his good appearances. Why would he need a priceless robe? You are an outsider to the true Dharma and should take care not to speak [about the robe again]. As a non-Buddhist or caṇḍāla [outcaste] does not have two births[9] as does a śramaṇa, so too you do not because you are a caṇḍāla, outside the true Dharma. You, a puny mosquito, should keep quiet.”
1. See “Brahmin caste” defined in the glossary’s “four Indian castes.” (Return to text)
2. Text 120 (T02n0120) states “age twelve.” It is possible that the Chinese number twenty (二十) was erroneously written as twelve (十二). (Return to text)
3. See a sentient being’s birth, aging, illness, and death in the glossary’s “four appearances.” In true reality, because a dharma has no birth, it has no death, no aging, no illness, no taints, etc. (Return to text)
4. See “no action” in the glossary’s Three Liberation Doors. (Return to text)
5. That shore of bodhi (enlightenment) is opposite this shore of birth and death. (Return to text)
6. Aṅgulimāla is a human but leads the life of a rākṣasa. (Return to text)
7. The indiscriminate hell is Avīci Hell, the hell of interrupted suffering, which is indiscriminate of the gender and privileges of those who have committed the five rebellious sins, one of which is matricide. See the glossary’s Avīci Hell and “five rebellious sins.” (Return to text)
8. Considering that Aṅgulimāla is only twenty years of age, his mother is not old and not past the time to renounce family life. (Return to text)
9. According to text 1547, the Chinese version of the Great Commentary (Vibhāṣā), a bird is called two births because an egg is born from the mother bird, and a chick is born from the egg. Likewise a śramaṇa or Brahmin is called two births because he is born from his mother and is born again when he renounces family life to train to attain bodhi (T28n1547, 0522b26–28). (Return to text)