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One morning, the Buddha entered Savatthi to beg, accompanied by fifty other bhikkhus, including bhikkhu Ahimsaka. As they reached
the city gates, they met King Pasenadi mounted on a steed leading a battalion of soldiers. The king and his generals were dressed in full
fighting gear. When the king saw the Buddha, he dismounted and bowed.
The Buddha asked, “Majesty, has something happened? Has another kingdom invaded your borders?”
The king replied, “Lord, no one has invaded Kosala. I have gathered these soldiers to capture the murderer Angulimala. He is extremely
dangerous. No one has yet been able to bring him to justice. He was seen in the city just two weeks ago. My people are still living in
constant fear.”
The Buddha asked, “Are you sure Angulimala is really that dangerous?”
The king said, “Lord, Angulimala is a danger to every man, woman, and child. I cannot rest until he is found and killed.”
The Buddha asked, “If Angulimala repented his ways and vowed never to kill again, if he took the vows of a bhikkhu and respected all
living beings, would you still need to capture and kill him?”
“Lord, if Angulimala became your disciple and followed the precept against killing, if he lived the pure and harmless life of a bhikkhu, my
happiness would know no bounds! Not only would I spare his life and grant him freedom, I would offer him robes, food, and medicine. But
I hardly think such a thing will come to pass!”
The Buddha pointed to Ahimsaka standing behind him and said, “Your majesty, this monk is none other than Angulimala. He has taken
the precepts of a bhikkhu. He has become a new man in these past two weeks.”
King Pasenadi was horrified when he realized he was standing so close to the notorious killer.
The Buddha said, “There is no need to fear him, your majesty. Bhikkhu Angulimala is gentler than a handful of earth. We call him