Buddha and the serial killer

. “Who is Wandering Over There? Stop at once” He accosted Buddha. He was a serial killer. Buddha had just come out From his Bodhisatva Samadhi Weak, hungry, could barely walk He was traversing the forest alone All his friends, disciples had left him He had no one to share his realization He was walking to Sarnath to meet up He expected his fellows to be out there The path was through a deep forest Territory of a serial killer: Angulimala Angulimala wore a garland- of fingers As a trophy, of his slain victims Buddha was to be his next target The One thousandth victim of bandit “ Who goes wandering there? Stop” Buddha’s iconic response It changed a civilization - Words of Jnani Buddha: “ I am still; it is you who is wandering” There was something In that voice. Truth Compassion wisdom It pierced the soul of the bandit Karma extinguished He fell at his feet Angulimala transformed The serial killer Thus became Buddha’s first Follower disciple The Kings and Nobles They came later.