Stories
Great Monastics
The history of Buddhism is carried in the lives of extraordinary men and women, people who gave themselves entirely to the pursuit of awakening and in doing so left behind stories that have inspired practitioners for generations. These are not stories of perfect people. Many of them begin in failure, violence, grief, or confusion. What transforms them is the encounter with the Dhamma and the willingness to practise it without reservation. These are ten of the most celebrated and instructive stories from the long tradition of Buddhist monasticism.
-
Bodhidharma and the Emperor
Bodhidharma arrived in China sometime in the late fifth or early sixth century CE, having crossed the sea from India or Central Asia in a small boat.
-
Mahakashyapa and the Flower Sermon
One day, the Buddha assembled a great gathering of monks, nuns, kings, and laypeople on Vulture Peak mountain. Everyone expected a discourse.
-
Angulimala
His name meant ‘garland of fingers.’ He wore around his neck a string of human fingers, one for each person he had killed.
