Angulimala Thera crawls to Jetavana Monastery
G. K. Ananda Kumarasiri
BUDDHISM: Severely injured, Arahant Angulimala gathered
whatever strength his broken body could muster and crawled back to
Jetavana monastery. With great determination, he managed to reach its
gates.
The Buddha sighted him and hastened to his aid. The Enlightened One
lifted him tenderly with both hands and rested him against His
compassionate body. Wiping gently the blood that oozed from the wounds,
He comforted Arahant Angulimala. "What cruel deed has been inflicted on
you, my son? This is the reality of kamma. You must bear all the pain
without any malice or hatred against those misguided ones who had
assaulted you, my son."
The Buddha knew that Angulimala Thera's last moments had come. He
wanted his last thoughts to be tranquil and pure. With tenderness of
voice He consoled him "My son, you are experiencing now the results of
unwholesome deeds you had committed in the past on account of which you
might have been tortured in apaya for many life cycles.
Do not despair. You must remain resolute in Saddha, my son". As he
had already attained Arahanthood, Angulimala remained steadfast in
Saddha. Similarly, his Metta and Karuna remained intact despite the
bodily pain he had encountered.
His mind and heart were immune to dosa, despite the physical pain
from the severe injuries sustained at the hands of the angry village
mob. He had only deep compassion for them.
To be continued |
