Angulimala - 46

Anxious Bhaggava rushes to meet Mantani

G. K. Ananda Kumarasiri

BUDDHISM: Mantani related to Bhaggava what had transpired at the Jalini Forest. Bhaggava gave a big sigh of relief. He hugged Mantani and once again asked for her understanding for not setting out himself to warn their son. Mantani smiled and told him that she fully understood his predicament as a loyal high official of the king.

Both reconciled themselves to the reality that their son had renounced the householders life and had ‘gone forth’. They whispered a silent prayer that their son would attain final emancipation through the spiritual path he had entered.

The transformed Angulimala was ordained as a bhikkhu by the Buddha himself to pursue a monastic discipline and training. Angulimala Thera from thence onwards practised the Dhamma diligently at the Jetavana Monastery. Thus through His supreme Metta and Karuna and His spiritual powers, the Buddha was able to dramatically transform Angulimala into a righteous disciple.

In the meantime, King Pasenadi who had been implored by his subjects to capture Angulimala had set out with a detachment of his finest soldiers. Being a staunch patron of the Buddha and the Sangha Order, it was customary for him to visit the Enlightened One. On his arrival at the Jetavana Monastery, the king alighted from his royal elephant to pay homage to the Buddha.

To be continued

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