Angulimala is a prominent figure in Buddhist scriptures, particularly the Theravada tradition, famous for his dramatic story of transformation from a ruthless serial killer to an enlightened monk.

​Here are the key aspects of his story:

• ​The Name: His original name was said to be Ahimsaka (meaning "harmless"). However, he earned the name Angulimala (meaning "finger garland" or "finger necklace") because he murdered travelers and wore a garland made of the fingers he severed from his victims.
• ​The Killer: He was a source of terror, known for his extreme violence and lack of mercy. The stories often say he was collecting 1,000 fingers as a gruesome task assigned to him by a malicious teacher after being framed by jealous fellow students at the University of Taxila.
• ​Encounter with the Buddha: The Buddha went into the forest where Angulimala was living, despite warnings from locals. Angulimala saw the Buddha and ran as fast as he could to kill him, but miraculously could not catch up, even though the Buddha was walking at a normal pace.
• ​Conversion: Angulimala called out for the Buddha to stop. The Buddha replied, "I have stopped, Angulimala. You stop, too." This simple yet profound statement referred to the Buddha having stopped violence and harm, prompting Angulimala to realize the error of his ways. Deeply moved, Angulimala immediately abandoned his weapons, requested ordination, and became a monk.
• ​Later Life: After his conversion, he dedicated himself to the monastic life and eventually attained enlightenment (became an Arahant). However, he still had to face the karmic consequences of his past deeds; people in the villages he once terrorized would sometimes attack him while he was seeking alms, which he endured peacefully as a result of his transformation.

​The story of Angulimala is a powerful teaching on redemption, the possibility of profound change, and the power of the Buddha's compassion to awaken goodness even in the most hardened criminals.