[521] Thus have I heard:
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now on that occasion, in the realm of King Pasenadi of Kosala there was a bandit named Aṅgulimāla — cruel, bloody-handed, given over to slaughter and violence, merciless toward living beings. By him villages were made no villages, towns were made no towns, and districts were made no districts. Murdering human beings again and again, he wore a garland of their fingers.
Then the Blessed One, having dressed in the morning and taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Having walked for alms in Sāvatthī, after the meal, having returned from the almsround, he set his lodging in order and, taking his bowl and robe, set out along the road leading toward the bandit Aṅgulimāla. Cowherds, keepers of livestock, farmers, and travelers on the road saw the Blessed One proceeding along the road toward the bandit Aṅgulimāla, and having seen him, they said this to the Blessed One: "Do not take this road, ascetic. On this road, ascetic, there is a bandit named Aṅgulimāla — cruel, bloody-handed, given over to slaughter and violence, merciless toward living beings. By him villages have been made no villages, towns have been made no towns, and districts have been made no districts. Murdering human beings again and again, he wears a garland of their fingers. Indeed, ascetic, men travel this road only after banding together in groups of ten, twenty, thirty, or even forty; and even they come to destruction at the hand of the bandit Aṅgulimāla."
When this was said, the Blessed One went on in silence.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.