Noble Birth - Coming Back to Life

Noble Birth

There is a very well known story about a man who became a monk. When he he became a monk he was given a new name, Ahimsa which means harmless. He was a golden monk. His teacher, the head of the community adored him. But the other monks felt jealousy and contempt for him and set about to harm him. They convinced the Abbott that Ahimsa was not to be trusted and that the Abbott need to test his loyalty and faithfulness. The Abbott, quite distressed and caught up in the hate of the monks sent for Ahimsa. He gave Ahimsa a very unusual task. The Abbott requested that Ahimsa go and to bring back a finger. Ahimsa took the request to heart and went on a killing frenzy. He killed countless others and removed the fingers from every corpse and strung them around his neck. He gained a reputation of being frightening and dangerous and everyone called him Angulimala, The Finger Necklace monk.

It happens that Angulimala, the murderer, came upon the Buddha. The encounter was quite brief but impacted Angulimala. Buddha told Angulimala to STOP! He heeded the Buddha's admonition and did stop and became a disciple of the Buddha. After he became a disciple the following story occurred.

Angulimala, The Disciple

Angulimala, early in the morning, put on his robes & carrying his bowl went for alms. On his almsrounds he saw a woman suffering a breech birth. Seeing her, he exclaimed, "How tormented are living beings!" When he returned to Buddha he told him about the woman suffering. 

The Buddha said, "Angulimala, go to her and when you find her say, "Sister, since I was born I do not recall intentionally killing a living being. Through this truth may you and you baby have well being." 

Angulimala said to Buddha, "But Lord wouldn't that be a lie? I have killed many beings." 
"In that case, " said the Buddha, "go to that woman and say, "Sister since I was born in the noble birth, I do not recall intentionally killing a living being. Through this truth may you and your baby be well." 

Angulimala said, "As you say, Lord." He went to the woman and spoke to her of his noble birth and wished them well being. Both mother and baby were well.

Noble and peerless Infinite Compassion,

And all awakened and awakening beings,

May the truth in the fullness of their intentions,

Move all beings in their infinities,

To the finest in awakening mind.

With love to all of you.