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Angulmāla and Liberation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 December 2009

Extract

Angulimāla (Finger-garland, nickname from the chain of fingers which he wore), the fierce bandit, occurs at many places in the Pali Canon. One of the best-known episodes in which he figures and which has caused a good deal of comment is that of his conversion, told in the Angulimāla-sutta of the Majjhima Nikāya (no. 86; PTS, II, 97 sq.). For his legendary biography see Malalasekera's Dictionary of Pāli proper names, s.v.

Here we see him following the Buddha in murderous intention trying to catch up to him as he walks on in his usual, natural step (Pakatiyā). But he soon realizes that his is unable to do so: the nearer he gets the more distant the Buddha is. He wonders: Although he is of great strength and can race elephants, horses, and deer: here must be a superman who can move at will.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies 1957

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References

page 533 note 1 K. E. Neumann translated pakatiyā with ‘gelassen’ (‘unconcerned, steadily’). A. J. Edmunds (with whom I discussed this passage many years ago) was very emphatic when he suggested ‘majestically’ or ‘with magic power’. In his book (Buddhist and Christian Gospels, II, 16) he gives ‘by his inner force’. Lord Chalmers (Further dialogues, II, 51) has ‘at his wonted pace’.

page 535 note 1 As title of Brahmā occurring frequently in the Pali Canon in the sequence Brahmā abhibhū vasavatti issaro kattā nimmātā; e.g. Dūghanikāya III, 29.