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Angulimala

Posted on January 3, 2014June 9, 2022 by Dharma Documentaries
A film about the life of the serial killer Angulimala who is converted by the Buddha and becomes an Arahat.

Angulimala

This is a very fine retelling of the traditional Angulimāla story. The Buddhist tradition is full of great stories that convert well into modern media, but so far very little has been done in this regard.

This film, which has English subtitles, was made in Thailand in 2003, and it is as dark and foreboding as its central character, who is born Ahimsaka (meaning: Non-Violent), but turns into Angulimāla (Finger-Necklace, from the necklace he makes of his victims fingers).

How he makes that transition is interesting indeed, as he wishes at first to prevent bandits from hurting themselves (and others) any further, by killing them. Later he starts killing anybody, simply to relieve them of their suffering in this world.

He is led astray in this through his high levels of meditative achievement, unmatched with insight, which put him in touch with the God of the Mountain, who is really a Māra in disguise. We should always remember that Māra Devaputta is one of the highest gods in the sense-spheres (Kāmaloka).

While about to kill his own Mother to fulfil his vow to kill 1,000 people (and attain the Dhamma-core), the Buddha appears in a blazing light, and converts him by showing him how to really end suffering.

Angulimāla gains right view and ordains, but he is followed by the remembrance of his deeds, and even as a monk the people attack and stone him when he tries to enter the village for alms.

The film is something of a psychological thriller, something of a horror story, but the interesting thing is that it is all told from a Buddhist perspective, and we understand in the end that, despite his background, even he can attain Awakening.

 

if the video does not appear on the page, please first try reloading the page, and if that doesn’t work, leave a comment so I can update the page (the comment is not published)

 

to see an album of stills click here

 

TAGS:
Dharma, Biography, Caste, Movie, Thai

1 thought on “Angulimala”

  1. Jampa says:
    March 12, 2019 at 6:24 am

    Thank you soooooo much for putting up this movie. It was deep and well done. It really inspired my practice.

    Reply

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