A MIND OVERWHELMED: PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF ANGULIMALA AND THE POWER OF THE BUDDHA’S WORDS, 'I HAVE STOPPED, WHEN WILL YOU?'

Abstract

This article examines the psychological state of Angulimala, a figure from the Angulimala Sutta, who transformed from a murderer to an arahant, focusing on his mental evolution and the interpretation of the Buddha’s words, “I have stopped, when will you?” Drawing on the Pali Canon and its commentaries, the study employs psychological theories such as Cognitive Dissonance, Moral Disengagement, and Speech Act Theory to analyze his shift from distorted loyalty to violence and its cessation through verbal intervention. The findings reveal that Angulimala’s mind was dominated by his teacher’s influence, leading to a loss of identity, but the Buddha’s paradoxical statement triggered self-awareness and autonomous decision-making, resulting in redemption, acceptance of karmic consequences, and complete healing through Buddhist practice. This analysis highlights the power of words in altering behavior and integrates Buddhist philosophy with psychology, suggesting applications in modern psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness, to address dominated minds. The study underscores the significance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding human potential for profound transformation.