Mantani blesses Angulimala while he pays his respects

BUDDHISM: The Enlightened One, then addressed Angulimala with deep compassion, "Ehi bhikkhu." Angulimala was inspired that the Buddha, had accepted him under His Refuge.

Thus Angulimala entered the Bhikkhu Sangha. From then onwards, he revered the Buddha as his Redeemer and Refuge. With this new spiritual aspirations, a second and even greater transformation came about in Angulimala.

His misguided, murderous obsession vanished totally and in its place the innate goodness and true potential of his Metta and Karuna broke loose. He now aspired to be the symbolic lotus that sprouts through the murky waters of a muddy lake and blossoms for all to enjoy its beauty, brilliant, radiance and fragrance.

Mantani who stood a short distance away, witnessed the dramatic transformation of her son. She was overwhelmed and relieved when she heard him vow that henceforth he would shun unwholesome deeds, and instead, tread the Path of the Dhamma.

With great joy in her heart, She walked up to Angulimala. On seeing his mother, Angulimala spontaneously knelt down on his knees and worshipped his mother at her feet. Mantani blessed him "Sukhi Hotu... my dear son," by pacing her hand on his head and stroking it gently with motherly love.

As he rose to his feet, she hugged him tightly. Angulimala too embraced his mother with intense love. He shed tears of joy, hugging his mother whom he had missed so dearly.

To be continued

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