Dear Editor,

I would like to point out an error in your story about Angkulimala (PPP 10/15). According

to the well known legend Angkulimala had already killed 999 people before meeting

with Buddha. His mother, knowing about information that the king would arrest him,

tried to look for him and warn him to escape. Angkulimala saw his mother and wanted

to kill her to complete the 1,000 figure. Buddha knew about this and stoped him by

letting Angkulimala see it. Angkulimala tried to kill the Buddha instead but he never

could keep up with Buddha in spite of his fast running.

To cut the story short, Angulimala realized his mistake and asked Buddha to become

a monk. He was not swallowed by the earth. Buddhist history says the monk that was

swallowed by the earth was called Devadata.

- Nao Sok, Phnom Penh