Liberating the Mother of Demons

Hariti, the mother of demons, was violent and cruel. She often abducted and ate other people's children, causing great panic among parents. In order to educate her, the Buddha hid her most beloved son in an alms bowl. When Hariti failed to find him, she felt immense grief and pain. She heard about the Buddha's infinite wisdom and went to ask him for her son's whereabouts. The Buddha told her, "All parents on earth love their children as much as you do. The sorrow you have caused by eating their children is exactly the same as the pain you are feeling now from losing your own son. If you can take refuge in the Triple Gem, uphold the five precepts, and vow not to kill for the rest of your life, I shall return your son to you." Enlightened by the Buddha's words, she vowed to be a protector of all children.