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Angulimala 64
Angulimala Thera experiences difficulties in meditation practice
G.K. Ananda Kumarasiri
BUDDHISM: With the inclusion of the two additional stanzas, it became
possible of other monks, and lay Buddhists to recite the Angulimala
Paritta to mothers whenever the need arose.
The success of Angulimala Thera’s assertion of the Truth underlining
his virtuous conduct also had a positive effect his training towards
perfecting meditation. Until then, Angulimala Thera had not been able to
focus his mind in meditation practice. This was not due to lack of
trying or effort on his part.
Though he practised day and night with great commitment, there would
always appear before his mind’s eye, his past evil misdeeds.
His mind would invariably revert to his forest haunt where he had
brutally killed so many innocent men, women and children. He could still
hear their desperate pleas imploring him to spare their lives. Their
plaintive voices, “please let me live merciful lord.
I have a wife and children to take care of ; spare my life for my
aged parents will be destitute....”, rang in his ears. The fear-strickened,
desperate cries of his victims constantly distracted his concentration.
If it was not the cries of his victims, it was the vivid memories of
their faces which haunted him. Their frantic last moments before he
killed them often flashed across his mind’s eye.
To be continued |
