# Angulimala: 'I have stopped. You stop.'

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-sutta-angulimala-i-have-stopped
- Themes: transformation, stillness, redemption, non-judgement
- Life situations: feeling beyond redemption, restlessness, judging others

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Angulimala, a serial killer in the Buddha's time (some say 999 victims, more likely 99), ran after the Buddha to kill him, but however fast he ran he couldn't catch up. He shouted, 'Stop! Stop!' The Buddha turned and said, 'I've already stopped. You stop.' Angulimala stopped — he became a monk and, by stopping the defilements, fully enlightened.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

One who stands out was Angulimala. He killed Some people say 999. That seems a little bit much, but probably 99 human beings. A serial killer. Eventually, the Buddha converted him. Interesting what happened there. I often tell this in retreats. The Uh Angulimala was actually running after the Buddha trying to kill him. And no matter how fast Angulimala ran, the Buddha used some psychic power so the Angulimala couldn't catch him. So this Angulimala, the serial killer, shouted out to the Buddha, "Stop! Stop!" And the Buddha turned around and said, "I've already stopped. You stop." It wasn't just stopping running. It was stopping the way the mind just tries to do things, judge things, change things, improve things. Stop. And that was such a powerful, unexpected command by the Buddha. Angulimala did that. He stopped. He became a monk. And stopped all those what we call defilements, became fully enlightened by stopping.

## Teaching point

Stopping — not judging, controlling, improving — is the way out; no one is beyond change.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Angulimala, a killer, chased the Buddha and couldn't catch him. He shouted at him to stop, and the Buddha replied: I have stopped; you stop. Angulimala stopped, became a monk and awoke. No one is beyond change. And peace comes not from more judging, controlling and improving, but from stopping.

## Source

- [The Nature of Suffering | Ajahn Brahm | 10 February 2023](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvMmZICc1Y) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 25:04 to 26:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvMmZICc1Y&t=1504s