Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
Evaṁ me sutaṁ—
¶ 1So I have heard.
ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
¶ 2At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa vijite coro aṅgulimālo nāma hoti luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.
¶ 3Now 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.
Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.
¶ 4He laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.
So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.
¶ 5He was constantly murdering humans, and he wore their fingers as a necklace.
Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.
¶ 6Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.
Sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena coro aṅgulimālo tenaddhānamaggaṁ paṭipajji.
¶ 7Then, 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.
Addasāsuṁ kho gopālakā pasupālakā kassakā pathāvino bhagavantaṁ yena coro aṅgulimālo tenaddhānamaggapaṭipannaṁ.
¶ 8The cowherds, shepherds, farmers, and travelers saw him on the road,
Disvāna bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:
¶ 9and said to him,
“mā, samaṇa, etaṁ maggaṁ paṭipajji.
¶ 10“Don’t take this road, ascetic.
Etasmiṁ, samaṇa, magge coro aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.
¶ 11On this road there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.
Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.
¶ 12He has laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.
So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.
¶ 13He is constantly murdering humans, and he wears their fingers as a necklace.
Etañhi, samaṇa, maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.
¶ 14People travel along this road only after banding closely together in groups of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty.
Tepi corassa aṅgulimālassa hatthatthaṁ gacchantī”ti.
¶ 15Still they meet their end by Aṅgulimāla’s hand.”
Evaṁ vutte, bhagavā tuṇhībhūto agamāsi.
¶ 16But when they said this, the Buddha went on in silence.
Dutiyampi kho gopālakā …pe…
¶ 17For a second time …
tatiyampi kho gopālakā pasupālakā kassakā pathāvino bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ:
¶ 18and a third time, they urged the Buddha to turn back.
“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.
So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.
Etañhi samaṇa maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.
Tepi corassa aṅgulimālassa hatthatthaṁ gacchantī”ti.
Atha kho bhagavā tuṇhībhūto agamāsi.
¶ 23But when they said this, the Buddha went on in silence.
Addasā kho coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.
¶ 24The bandit Aṅgulimāla saw the Buddha coming off in the distance,
Disvānassa etadahosi:
¶ 25and thought,
“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.
¶ 26“Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!
Imañhi maggaṁ dasapi purisā vīsampi purisā tiṁsampi purisā cattārīsampi purisā paññāsampi purisā saṅkaritvā saṅkaritvā paṭipajjanti.
¶ 27People travel along this road only after banding closely together in groups of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty.
Tepi mama hatthatthaṁ gacchanti.
¶ 28Still they meet their end by my hand.
Atha ca panāyaṁ samaṇo eko adutiyo pasayha maññe āgacchati.
¶ 29But still this ascetic comes along alone and unaccompanied, like a conqueror.
Yannūnāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ jīvitā voropeyyan”ti.
¶ 30Why don’t I take his life?”
Atha kho coro aṅgulimālo asicammaṁ gahetvā dhanukalāpaṁ sannayhitvā bhagavantaṁ piṭṭhito piṭṭhito anubandhi.
¶ 31Then Aṅgulimāla donned his sword and shield, fastened his bow and arrows, and followed behind the Buddha.
Atha kho bhagavā tathārūpaṁ iddhābhisaṅkhāraṁ abhisaṅkhāsi yathā coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ pakatiyā gacchantaṁ sabbathāmena gacchanto na sakkoti sampāpuṇituṁ.
¶ 32But 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.
Atha kho corassa aṅgulimālassa etadahosi:
¶ 33Then Aṅgulimāla thought,
“acchariyaṁ vata bho, abbhutaṁ vata bho.
¶ 34“Oh lord, how incredible, how amazing!
Ahañhi pubbe hatthimpi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, assampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, rathampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi, migampi dhāvantaṁ anupatitvā gaṇhāmi;
¶ 35Previously, even when I’ve chased a speeding elephant, horse, chariot or deer, I’ve always caught up with them.
atha ca panāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ pakatiyā gacchantaṁ sabbathāmena gacchanto na sakkomi sampāpuṇitun”ti.
¶ 36But I can’t catch up with this ascetic no matter how hard I try, even though he’s walking at a normal speed.”
Ṭhitova bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 37He stood still and said,
“tiṭṭha, tiṭṭha, samaṇā”ti.
¶ 38“Stop, stop, ascetic!”
“Ṭhito ahaṁ, aṅgulimāla, tvañca tiṭṭhā”ti.
¶ 39“I’ve stopped, Aṅgulimāla—now you stop.”
Atha kho corassa aṅgulimālassa etadahosi:
¶ 40Then Aṅgulimāla thought,
“ime kho samaṇā sakyaputtiyā saccavādino saccapaṭiññā.
¶ 41“These ascetics who follow the Sakyan speak the truth.
Atha panāyaṁ samaṇo gacchaṁ yevāha:
¶ 42Yet while walking the ascetic Gotama says:
‘ṭhito ahaṁ, aṅgulimāla, tvañca tiṭṭhā’ti.
¶ 43‘I’ve stopped, Aṅgulimāla—now you stop.’
Yannūnāhaṁ imaṁ samaṇaṁ puccheyyan”ti.
¶ 44Why don’t I ask him about this?”
Atha kho coro aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ gāthāya ajjhabhāsi:
¶ 45Then he addressed the Buddha in verse:
“Gacchaṁ vadesi samaṇa ṭhitomhi,
¶ 46“While walking, ascetic, you say ‘I’ve stopped.’
Mamañca brūsi ṭhitamaṭṭhitoti;
¶ 47And I have stopped, but you tell me I’ve not.
Pucchāmi taṁ samaṇa etamatthaṁ,
¶ 48I’m asking you this, ascetic:
Kathaṁ ṭhito tvaṁ ahamaṭṭhitomhī”ti.
¶ 49how is it you’ve stopped and I have not?”
“Ṭhito ahaṁ aṅgulimāla sabbadā,
¶ 50“Aṅgulimāla, I have forever stopped—
Sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṁ;
¶ 51I’ve laid aside violence towards all creatures.
Tuvañca pāṇesu asaññatosi,
¶ 52But you can’t stop yourself from harming living creatures;
Tasmā ṭhitohaṁ tuvamaṭṭhitosī”ti.
¶ 53that’s why I’ve stopped, but you have not.”
“Cirassaṁ vata me mahito mahesī,
¶ 54“Oh, at long last a renowned great seer,
Mahāvanaṁ pāpuṇi saccavādī;
¶ 55an ascetic has followed me into this deep wood.
Sohaṁ carissāmi pahāya pāpaṁ,
¶ 56Now that I’ve heard your verse on Dhamma,
Sutvāna gāthaṁ tava dhammayuttaṁ”.
¶ 57I shall live without evil.”
Itveva coro asimāvudhañca,
¶ 58With these words, the bandit hurled his sword and weapons
Sobbhe papāte narake akiri;
¶ 59down a cliff into an abyss.
Avandi coro sugatassa pāde,
¶ 60He venerated the Holy One’s feet,
Tattheva naṁ pabbajjaṁ ayāci.
¶ 61and asked him for the going forth right away.
Buddho ca kho kāruṇiko mahesi,
¶ 62Then the Buddha, the compassionate great seer,
Yo satthā lokassa sadevakassa;
¶ 63the teacher of the world with its gods,
“Tamehi bhikkhū”ti tadā avoca,
¶ 64said to him, “Come, monk!”
Eseva tassa ahu bhikkhubhāvoti.
¶ 65And with that he became a monk.
Atha kho bhagavā āyasmatā aṅgulimālena pacchāsamaṇena yena sāvatthi tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi.
¶ 66Then the Buddha set out for Sāvatthī with Venerable Aṅgulimāla as his second monk.
Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena sāvatthi tadavasari.
¶ 67Traveling stage by stage, he arrived at Sāvatthī,
Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
¶ 68where he stayed in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
Tena kho pana samayena rañño pasenadissa kosalassa antepuradvāre mahājanakāyo sannipatitvā uccāsaddo mahāsaddo hoti:
¶ 69Now at that time a crowd had gathered by the gate of King Pasenadi’s royal compound making a colossal racket,
“coro te, deva, vijite aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.
¶ 70“In your realm, Your Majesty, there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings.
Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.
¶ 71He has laid waste to villages, towns, and countries.
So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.
¶ 72He is constantly murdering humans, and he wears their fingers as a necklace.
Taṁ devo paṭisedhetū”ti.
¶ 73Your Majesty must put a stop to him!”
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo pañcamattehi assasatehi sāvatthiyā nikkhami divā divassa.
¶ 74Then King Pasenadi drove out from Sāvatthī in the middle of the day with around five hundred horses,
Yena ārāmo tena pāvisi.
¶ 75heading for the monastery.
Yāvatikā yānassa bhūmi yānena gantvā yānā paccorohitvā pattikova yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:
¶ 76He 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,
“kiṁ nu te, mahārāja, rājā vā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro kupito vesālikā vā licchavī aññe vā paṭirājāno”ti?
¶ 77“What is it, great king? Is King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha angry with you, or the Licchavis of Vesālī, or some other opposing ruler?”
“Na kho me, bhante, rājā māgadho seniyo bimbisāro kupito, nāpi vesālikā licchavī, nāpi aññe paṭirājāno.
¶ 78“No, sir.
Coro me, bhante, vijite aṅgulimālo nāma luddo lohitapāṇi hatapahate niviṭṭho adayāpanno pāṇabhūtesu.
¶ 79In my realm there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla. He is violent, bloody-handed, a hardened killer, merciless to living beings. …
Tena gāmāpi agāmā katā, nigamāpi anigamā katā, janapadāpi ajanapadā katā.
So manusse vadhitvā vadhitvā aṅgulīnaṁ mālaṁ dhāreti.
Tāhaṁ, bhante, paṭisedhissāmī”ti.
¶ 82I shall put a stop to him.”
“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?
¶ 83“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?”
“Abhivādeyyāma vā, bhante, paccuṭṭheyyāma vā āsanena vā nimanteyyāma, abhinimanteyyāma vā naṁ cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi, dhammikaṁ vā assa rakkhāvaraṇaguttiṁ saṁvidaheyyāma.
¶ 84“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.
Kuto panassa, bhante, dussīlassa pāpadhammassa evarūpo sīlasaṁyamo bhavissatī”ti?
¶ 85But sir, how could such an immoral, evil man ever have such virtue and restraint?”
Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavato avidūre nisinno hoti.
¶ 86Now at that time Venerable Aṅgulimāla was sitting not far from the Buddha.
Atha kho bhagavā dakkhiṇaṁ bāhuṁ paggahetvā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 87Then the Buddha pointed with his right arm and said to the king,
“eso, mahārāja, aṅgulimālo”ti.
¶ 88“Great king, this is Aṅgulimāla.”
Atha kho rañño pasenadissa kosalassa ahudeva bhayaṁ, ahu chambhitattaṁ, ahu lomahaṁso.
¶ 89Then the king became frightened, scared, his hair standing on end.
Atha kho bhagavā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ bhītaṁ saṁviggaṁ lomahaṭṭhajātaṁ viditvā rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 90Knowing this, the Buddha said to him,
“mā bhāyi, mahārāja, natthi te ito bhayan”ti.
¶ 91“Do not fear, great king. You have nothing to fear from him.”
Atha kho rañño pasenadissa kosalassa yaṁ ahosi bhayaṁ vā chambhitattaṁ vā lomahaṁso vā so paṭippassambhi.
¶ 92Then the king’s fear died down.
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yenāyasmā aṅgulimālo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 93Then the king went over to Aṅgulimāla and said,
“ayyo no, bhante, aṅgulimālo”ti?
¶ 94“Sir, is the master really Aṅgulimāla?”
“Evaṁ, mahārājā”ti.
¶ 95“Yes, great king.”
“Kathaṅgotto ayyassa pitā, kathaṅgottā mātā”ti?
¶ 96“What clans were your father and mother from?”
“Gaggo kho, mahārāja, pitā, mantāṇī mātā”ti.
¶ 97“My father was a Gagga, and my mother a Mantāṇī.”
“Abhiramatu, bhante, ayyo gaggo mantāṇiputto.
¶ 98“Sir, may Master Gagga son of Mantāṇī be happy.
Ahamayyassa gaggassa mantāṇiputtassa ussukkaṁ karissāmi cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānan”ti.
¶ 99I’ll make sure that you’re provided with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.”
Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā aṅgulimālo āraññiko hoti piṇḍapātiko paṁsukūliko tecīvariko.
¶ 100But at that time Venerable Aṅgulimāla lived in the wilderness, ate only almsfood, and owned just three robes.
Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo rājānaṁ pasenadiṁ kosalaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 101So he said to the king,
“alaṁ, mahārāja, paripuṇṇaṁ me cīvaran”ti.
¶ 102“Enough, great king. My robes are complete.”
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho rājā pasenadi kosalo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 103Then the king went back to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,
“acchariyaṁ, bhante, abbhutaṁ, bhante.
¶ 104“It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing!
Yāvañcidaṁ, bhante, bhagavā adantānaṁ dametā, asantānaṁ sametā, aparinibbutānaṁ parinibbāpetā.
¶ 105How the Buddha tames those who are wild, pacifies those who are violent, and extinguishes those who are unquenched!
Yañhi mayaṁ, bhante, nāsakkhimhā daṇḍenapi satthenapi dametuṁ so bhagavatā adaṇḍena asattheneva danto.
¶ 106For I was not able to tame him with the rod and the sword, but the Buddha tamed him without rod or sword.
Handa ca dāni mayaṁ, bhante, gacchāma;
¶ 107Well, now, sir, I must go.
bahukiccā mayaṁ bahukaraṇīyā”ti.
¶ 108I have many duties, and much to do.”
“Yassadāni, mahārāja, kālaṁ maññasī”ti.
¶ 109“Please, great king, go at your convenience.”
Atha kho rājā pasenadi kosalo uṭṭhāyāsanā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkāmi.
¶ 110Then King Pasenadi rose from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving.
Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.
¶ 111Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.
Addasā kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo sāvatthiyaṁ sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno aññataraṁ itthiṁ mūḷhagabbhaṁ vighātagabbhaṁ.
¶ 112Then as he was wandering indiscriminately for almsfood he saw a woman undergoing a distressing obstructed labor.
Disvānassa etadahosi:
¶ 113Seeing this, it occurred to him,
“kilissanti vata, bho, sattā;
¶ 114“Oh, beings undergo such travail!
kilissanti vata, bho, sattā”ti.
¶ 115Oh, beings undergo such travail!”
Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo sāvatthiyaṁ piṇḍāya caritvā pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkanto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 116Then 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,
“idhāhaṁ, bhante, pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisiṁ.
Addasaṁ kho ahaṁ, bhante, sāvatthiyaṁ sapadānaṁ piṇḍāya caramāno aññataraṁ itthiṁ mūḷhagabbhaṁ vighātagabbhaṁ.
Disvāna mayhaṁ etadahosi:
‘kilissanti vata bho sattā, kilissanti vata bho sattā’”ti.
“Tena hi tvaṁ, aṅgulimāla, yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ evaṁ vadehi:
¶ 121“Well then, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:
‘yatohaṁ, bhagini, jāto nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā’”ti.
¶ 122‘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.’”
“So hi nūna me, bhante, sampajānamusāvādo bhavissati.
¶ 123“But sir, wouldn’t that be telling a deliberate lie?
Mayā hi, bhante, bahū sañcicca pāṇā jīvitā voropitā”ti.
¶ 124For I have intentionally killed many living creatures.”
“Tena hi tvaṁ, aṅgulimāla, yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ evaṁ vadehi:
¶ 125“In that case, Aṅgulimāla, go to that woman and say this:
‘yatohaṁ, bhagini, ariyāya jātiyā jāto, nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā’”ti.
¶ 126‘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.’”
“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhagavato paṭissutvā yena sā itthī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā taṁ itthiṁ etadavoca:
¶ 127“Yes, sir,” replied Aṅgulimāla. He went to that woman and said:
“yatohaṁ, bhagini, ariyāya jātiyā jāto, nābhijānāmi sañcicca pāṇaṁ jīvitā voropetā, tena saccena sotthi te hotu, sotthi gabbhassā”ti.
¶ 128“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.”
Atha khvāssā itthiyā sotthi ahosi, sotthi gabbhassa.
¶ 129Then that woman was safe, and so was her baby.
Atha 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.
¶ 130Then Aṅgulimāla, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme end 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.
“Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā”ti abbhaññāsi.
¶ 131He 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.”
Aññataro kho panāyasmā aṅgulimālo arahataṁ ahosi.
¶ 132And Venerable Aṅgulimāla became one of the perfected.
Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya sāvatthiṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi.
¶ 133Then Venerable Aṅgulimāla robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms.
Tena kho pana samayena aññenapi leḍḍu khitto āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati, aññenapi daṇḍo khitto āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati, aññenapi sakkharā khittā āyasmato aṅgulimālassa kāye nipatati.
¶ 134Now at that time someone threw a stone that hit Aṅgulimāla, someone else threw a stick, and someone else threw gravel.
Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo bhinnena sīsena, lohitena gaḷantena, bhinnena pattena, vipphālitāya saṅghāṭiyā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami.
¶ 135Then Aṅgulimāla—with cracked head, bleeding, his bowl broken, and his outer robe torn—went to the Buddha.
Addasā kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ.
¶ 136The Buddha saw him coming off in the distance,
Disvāna āyasmantaṁ aṅgulimālaṁ etadavoca:
¶ 137and said to him,
“adhivāsehi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, adhivāsehi tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa.
¶ 138“Endure it, brahmin! Endure it, brahmin!
Yassa kho tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kammassa vipākena bahūni vassāni bahūni vassasatāni bahūni vassasahassāni niraye pacceyyāsi tassa tvaṁ, brāhmaṇa, kammassa vipākaṁ diṭṭheva dhamme paṭisaṁvedesī”ti.
¶ 139You’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.”
Atha kho āyasmā aṅgulimālo rahogato paṭisallīno vimuttisukhaṁ paṭisaṁvedi;
¶ 140Later, Venerable Aṅgulimāla was experiencing the bliss of release while in private retreat.
tāyaṁ velāyaṁ imaṁ udānaṁ udānesi:
¶ 141On that occasion he expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“Yo pubbeva pamajjitvā,
¶ 142“He who once was heedless,
pacchā so nappamajjati;
¶ 143but turned to heedfulness,
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
¶ 144lights up the world,
abbhā muttova candimā.
¶ 145like the moon freed from clouds.
Yassa pāpaṁ kataṁ kammaṁ,
¶ 146Someone whose bad deed
kusalena pidhīyati;
¶ 147is supplanted by the good,
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
¶ 148lights up the world,
abbhā muttova candimā.
¶ 149like the moon freed from clouds.
Yo have daharo bhikkhu,
¶ 150A young mendicant
yuñjati buddhasāsane;
¶ 151devoted to the Buddha’s teaching,
Somaṁ lokaṁ pabhāseti,
¶ 152lights up the world,
abbhā muttova candimā.
¶ 153like the moon freed from clouds.
Disā hi me dhammakathaṁ suṇantu,
¶ 154May even my enemies hear a Dhamma talk!
Disā hi me yuñjantu buddhasāsane;
¶ 155May even my enemies devote themselves to the Buddha’s teaching!
Disā hi me te manujā bhajantu,
¶ 156May even my enemies associate with those good men
Ye dhammamevādapayanti santo.
¶ 157who establish others in the Dhamma!
Disā hi me khantivādānaṁ,
¶ 158May even my enemies hear Dhamma at the right time,
avirodhappasaṁsīnaṁ;
¶ 159from those who teach acceptance,
Suṇantu dhammaṁ kālena,
¶ 160praising acquiescence;
tañca anuvidhīyantu.
¶ 161and may they follow that path!
Na hi jātu so mamaṁ hiṁse,
¶ 162For then they’d never wish harm
aññaṁ vā pana kiñci naṁ;
¶ 163upon myself or others.
Pappuyya paramaṁ santiṁ,
¶ 164Having arrived at ultimate peace,
rakkheyya tasathāvare.
¶ 165they’d look after creatures firm and frail.
Udakañhi nayanti nettikā,
¶ 166For irrigators guide the water,
Usukārā namayanti tejanaṁ;
¶ 167and fletchers straighten arrows;
Dāruṁ namayanti tacchakā,
¶ 168carpenters carve timber—
Attānaṁ damayanti paṇḍitā.
¶ 169but the astute tame themselves.
Daṇḍeneke damayanti,
¶ 170Some tame by using the rod,
aṅkusehi kasāhi ca;
¶ 171some with goads, and some with whips.
Adaṇḍena asatthena,
¶ 172But the unaffected one tamed me
ahaṁ dantomhi tādinā.
¶ 173without rod or sword.
Ahiṁsakoti me nāmaṁ,
¶ 174My name is ‘Harmless’,
hiṁsakassa pure sato;
¶ 175though I used to be harmful.
Ajjāhaṁ saccanāmomhi,
¶ 176The name I bear today is true,
na naṁ hiṁsāmi kiñci naṁ.
¶ 177for I do no harm to anyone.
Coro ahaṁ pure āsiṁ,
¶ 178I used to be a bandit,
aṅgulimāloti vissuto;
¶ 179the notorious Aṅgulimāla.
Vuyhamāno mahoghena,
¶ 180Swept away in a great flood,
buddhaṁ saraṇamāgamaṁ.
¶ 181I went to the Buddha as a refuge.
Lohitapāṇi pure āsiṁ,
¶ 182I used to have blood on my hands,
aṅgulimāloti vissuto;
¶ 183the notorious Aṅgulimāla.
Saraṇagamanaṁ passa,
¶ 184See the refuge I’ve found—
bhavanetti samūhatā.
¶ 185the leash to existence is eradicated.
Tādisaṁ kammaṁ katvāna,
¶ 186I’ve done many of the sort of deeds
bahuṁ duggatigāminaṁ;
¶ 187that lead to a bad destination.
Phuṭṭho kammavipākena,
¶ 188The result of my deeds has already struck me,
aṇaṇo bhuñjāmi bhojanaṁ.
¶ 189so I enjoy my food free of debt.
Pamādamanuyuñjanti,
¶ 190Fools and simpletons
bālā dummedhino janā;
¶ 191devote themselves to negligence.
Appamādañca medhāvī,
¶ 192But the wise protect diligence
dhanaṁ seṭṭhaṁva rakkhati.
¶ 193as their best treasure.
Mā pamādamanuyuñjetha,
¶ 194Don’t devote yourself to negligence,
mā kāmarati santhavaṁ;
¶ 195or delight in erotic intimacy.
Appamatto hi jhāyanto,
¶ 196For if you’re diligent and practice absorption,
pappoti vipulaṁ sukhaṁ.
¶ 197you’ll attain abundant happiness.
Svāgataṁ nāpagataṁ,
¶ 198It was welcome, not unwelcome,
nayidaṁ dummantitaṁ mama;
¶ 199the advice I got was good.
Saṁvibhattesu dhammesu,
¶ 200Of the well-explained teachings,
yaṁ seṭṭhaṁ tadupāgamaṁ.
¶ 201I arrived at the best.
Svāgataṁ nāpagataṁ,
¶ 202It was welcome, not unwelcome,
nayidaṁ dummantitaṁ mama;
¶ 203the advice I got was good.
Tisso vijjā anuppattā,
¶ 204I’ve attained the three knowledges
kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.
¶ 205and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.”
Aṅgulimālasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.