Once upon a time in the forests of the Magadha kingdom, a cruel bandit named Angulimal ruled. He would kill people and string their fingers into a necklace, which he wore around his neck. Because of this, he was known by the name Angulimal, meaning “garland of fingers.”
The terror of Angulimal had spread to all the villages around the Magadha kingdom. One day, the great sage Mahatma Buddha arrived in a village near the forest. He was welcomed warmly by the villagers, but something about the sage seemed unusual. Sensing this, Mahatma Buddha asked the villagers, “Why do you all seem so afraid and troubled?”
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They told him about the killings and the necklace made of fingers, and how Angulimal, the bandit, was terrorizing everyone. They explained that whoever ventured into the forest was captured and killed by him. So far, he had killed 99 people and adorned himself with their finger garlands. Due to the terror of Angulimal, everyone feared passing through the forest.
After hearing all this, Buddha decided to go to the forest. The villagers pleaded with him not to go, as Angulimal spared no one. They asked him to find a way to rid them of the bandit without entering the forest.
Despite their pleas, Buddha continued towards the forest. As he ventured further, the people warned him that it could be dangerous. Angulimal never spared anyone, and they were afraid for Buddha’s safety. But Buddha continued undeterred.
Soon, Buddha reached the forest and encountered Angulimal, who was surprised to see a lone sage in the forest. He thought to himself that people usually thought twice before entering the forest, and if they did, they wouldn’t come alone and would be afraid. This sage was wandering alone without any fear. Angulimal decided that he would kill Buddha and add his fingers to his garland.
Angulimal said, “Stop right there! Where do you think you’re going?” Buddha ignored him and continued walking. Angulimal, in anger, drew his sword and started running after Buddha. No matter how fast he ran, he couldn’t catch up to Buddha. Exhausted, he stopped and threatened, “Stop, or I will kill you and add your fingers to my garland, completing my count of 100 victims.”
Buddha calmly replied, “If you think you are powerful, then bring me some leaves and twigs from the trees.” Angulimal, thinking that it was an easy task, brought back leaves and twigs after some time and said, “Here are the leaves and twigs you asked for.”
Buddha then said, “Now, put these leaves and twigs back on the trees.” Angulimal was surprised and said, “How can you be so ignorant? Once something is broken, it cannot be fixed.”
Buddha replied, “That is exactly what I want to teach you. If you don’t have the power to fix something, you don’t have the right to break it in the first place. If you don’t have the ability to give life, you have no right to take it.”
These words struck a chord with Angulimal. He dropped his weapons and fell at Buddha’s feet, realizing the truth in his words. From that day on, Angulimal renounced his violent ways and became a disciple of Buddha, leading a life of peace and wisdom.
Moral of the story:
When one receives the right guidance, they choose the path of goodness over evil.
