Meditation and Enlightenment

Author(s): Chandraprabh
Publisher: Jityasha Foundation

Page 34

Surrender of Frustration/29
'sarvodaya' (Overall rising) of 'Sakshitva' (the state of authenticity) occurs, then the prevention of identification of mind can take place without any 'if' or 'but'.
It is said that while passing through a jungle Gautama came across Angulimala. Angulimala was a blood-thirsty killer, and Gautama was the summit of consciousness
Angulimala challenged Gautama, and directed him to halt on the pathway he was walking along Gautama smiled and said while continuing to walk, “I am stationary, O director ! It is you who should stop walking.”
Gautama's statement was dynamic, but for Angulimala, it was an unpleasant sermon. The walking traveller Gautama was calling himself stationary and called Angulimala, who was standing at the top of a hill, stationary. This fact was realised by him later on that the movement of person really comes to an end on that very day on which the crutches of the movement of mind slip away from the hands.
Gautama said, "Angulimala! look at the dirty drain flowing in your mind. Why are you asking the stationary me to halt ? Wake up and scrutinize the activities you are associated with. How dangerous can be their consequences ! Life is not for proceeding towards death, not for robbing and snatching; but it is for tensionfree, mirthful super-compassion.”
It is said tbat Angulimala's heart was transformed. From an axe-holder he became saffron-robbed. It was a novel revolution.
Since Angulimala had uprooted many households, had murdered innumerable persons, his enemies were here and there. But a 'sadhaka' (seeker of God/truth) has a friendly disposition even towards death. On the very first day Angulimala set out abegging, people stoned him to semi-death. At the last moment of life he found Gautama near him. He was grateful even though seriously wounded his death-conquering face had a smile on it.
Gautama asked him, “O son! What is your disposition ?” Angulimala replied, “O sage, what disposition can the stationary one have ?"