4.
The Chapter on Khattiyas
1.
The Life History of Eighteen Thousand Nuns Headed by Yasavatī
1.
And all mental corruptions are not in us, we inform you, O great sage.
2.
Given consisting of enjoyment, for your benefit, O great sage.
3.
Given consisting of enjoyment, for your benefit, O great sage.
4.
The preliminary work for noble families, what is that, O great sage?
5.
Having surpassed the human realm, they were born in a warrior family.
6.
In the final existence born together, warriors of family origin.
7.
In the inner palace, O great hero, like in the Nandana grove of the gods.
8.
After a few days, we all attained the final bliss.
9.
Many bring to us, always honoured and revered.
10.
Like she-elephants having cut the bond, we dwell without mental corruptions.
11.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
12.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus eighteen thousand nuns who were maidens of the warrior caste, headed by Yasavatī, spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One.
The Life History of Eighteen Thousand Nuns headed by Yasavatī is first.
2.
The Life History of Eighty-Four Thousand Nuns
13.
With delicate hands and feet, formerly attended you, O great sage.
14.
Many maidens from the four continents, formerly attended you, O great sage.
15.
Gods and kinnaras, serpents, will experience in the future.
16.
Having obtained confidence in you, they will understand in the future.
17.
While you look on, O Great Hero, we pay homage at your feet, O One with Vision.
18.
Underlying tendencies have been cut off, meritorious activities have been shattered.
19.
With absorption and delight in the Dhamma, we shall always dwell."
20.
Having gone to the state very difficult to see, allow me, O leader.
21.
Having cut the doubt of the four, may all go to peace.
22.
Some show forth light, and others darkness.
23.
Sineru and its encircling mountains, they show the coral tree.
24.
The Tusita, the gods who create, the wielding power, the great lords.
25.
And having created a Brahma's appearance, they teach the Teaching on emptiness.
26.
They all displayed their strength, and paid homage at the Teacher's feet.
27.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I was a master, O great sage.
28.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
29.
Knowledge for us, O great hero, arisen in your presence.
30.
Many aspirations of ours, for your benefit, O great sage.
31.
For your benefit, O great hero, merits were accumulated by us.
32.
The city named Haṃsavatī was the dwelling place of the clan of the One Enlightened by himself.
33.
Troubled by the river, the monks do not obtain passage.
34.
Even for a full four months, they do not obtain passage.
35.
Having seen the monks obstructed, he had a bridge built over the Ganges.
36.
And on the near shore for the Community, he had a monastery built.
37.
They made for him a bridge and a monastery in equal shares.
38.
His heirs in the teachings, in the city and in the countryside.
39.
They scattered sand on the bridge and on the monastery.
40.
Having done service with incense, bath powder, and garlands to the Teacher.
41.
Having given a great gift, I aspired for the highest enlightenment.
42.
The great sage gave thanks to the matted-hair ascetic.
43.
Having experienced existence after existence, he will attain enlightenment.
44.
In the future time, all will be face to face.'
45.
They arose in the divine abode, those attendants of yours.
46.
We served you, we transmigrated from existence to existence.
47.
Delicate among human beings, and also in the excellent celestial city.
48.
We constantly obtain all, the accomplishment of well-done action.
49.
With delicate hands and feet, in the dwelling of the Sakyan son.
50.
We do not see the muddy ground, the impure, O great sage.
51.
They always bring everything to us, by the fruit of former deeds.
52.
Having crossed over the path of wandering in the round of rebirths, may we become ones without lust.
53.
Thousands from here and there always bring to us.
54.
55.
56.
Thus eighty-four thousand brahmin maiden nuns spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One.
The Life History of Eighty-Four Thousand Nuns is second.
3.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Uppaladāyikā
57.
I was the wife of that king, I lived together with him.
58.
'No wholesome deed has been done by me, nothing to take with me as I go.
59.
Surely I go to hell, here there is no doubt for me.'
60.
Having approached the king, I spoke these words.
61.
Give me one ascetic, I will feed him, O warrior.'
62.
Having taken his bowl, I filled it with the finest food.
63.
Having covered it with a great cloth, I gave it with a satisfied mind.
64.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
65.
Of a thousand universal monarchs, I attained the status of chief queen.
66.
Various and much else, from that is the fruit of his action.
67.
Endowed with all womanly qualities, well-born, resplendent.
68.
Chief among a thousand women, I belonged to the son of Suddhodana.
69.
When the seventh night had arrived, I attained the four truths.
70.
I am not able to measure it, this is the fruit of almsfood.
71.
For your benefit, O great hero, much was given up by me.
72.
I do not know of an unfortunate realm, this is the fruit of almsfood.
73.
I know no other destination, this is the fruit of almsfood.
74.
I am not born in another family, this is the fruit of almsfood.
75.
I do not see anything disagreeable, the fruit is made of pleasure.
76.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
77.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
78.
Knowledge for me, O great hero, arisen in your presence.
79.
80.
81.
Thus the nun Uppaladāyikā spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Uppaladāyikā is third.
4.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Siṅgālamātu
82.
A hundred thousand cosmic cycles ago from now, the Leader arose.
83.
Shining with various jewels, prosperous, opulent, of great riches.
84.
Having heard the Teaching of the Buddha, I went forth into homelessness.
85.
Having abandoned verbal misconduct, I purified my livelihood.
86.
Engaged in hearing the Good Teaching, longing to see the Buddha.
87.
Having aspired to that state, I fulfilled the three trainings.
88.
'One whose faith in the Truth-finder is unshakeable and well established;
And whose morality is good, dear to the noble ones, praised.
89.
They call him 'not poor', his life is not in vain.
90.
The wise one should pursue, remembering the Buddhas' Dispensation.'
91.
Then the superior one, the immeasurable one, the great leader declared;
'Devoted to the Buddha, beautiful one, you will obtain that which is well wished for.
92.
Gotama by name, by clan, the Teacher in the world will be.
93.
Siṅgālaka's mother, will be a disciple of the Teacher."
94.
With a mind of friendliness I attended, the leader with practices.
95.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
96.
Born in a prosperous millionaire's family, with a great accumulation of jewels.
97.
Plunged into the thicket of views, devoted to worshipping the directions.
98.
Having seen him, the Buddha exhorted, the great leader standing on the path.
99.
There was the full realization of the teaching for twenty million men and women.
100.
Having attained the fruition of stream-entry, I went forth into homelessness.
101.
Having developed that recollection, I attained arahantship.
102.
Unsatisfied indeed I see, the form that delights the eye.
103.
A form strewn with all beauty, unsatisfied I dwell.
104.
She who was Siṅgālaka's mother, the foremost of those devoted to faith.
105.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
106.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
107.
Knowledge for me, O great hero, arisen in your presence.
108.
109.
110.
Thus the nun Siṅgālamātā spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Siṅgālamātu is fourth.
5.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Sukkā
111.
Arose, lovely to behold, one with insight into all phenomena.
112.
Having heard the Teaching of the sage, I went forth into homelessness.
113.
Brilliant speakers too, workers in the Conqueror's Dispensation.
114.
Having passed away from there to Tusita, I was reborn, one of fame.
115.
Shining with glory in the world, the best of speakers arose.
116.
Having illuminated the Conqueror's words, from there too they went to the celestial abode.
117.
Arose, the one of great wisdom, and even then likewise was I.
118.
Having gone to the charming city of the gods, I experienced great happiness.
119.
Arose, the refuge of men, and even then likewise was I.
120.
Having passed away from there, I went to the celestial abode as to my own dwelling.
121.
Arose as the refuge of the world, without conflict, gone to the Deathless.
122.
Very learned, a bearer of the Teaching, I illuminated the Conqueror's Dispensation.
123.
Arose as the refuge of the world, without conflict, gone beyond death.
124.
Having thoroughly learnt the Good Teaching, confident in interrogation.
125.
Having given many talks on the Teaching, for as long as life, O great sage.
126.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
127.
Born in a prosperous millionaire's family, with a great accumulation of jewels.
128.
Approached Rājagaha, praised by the thousand-eyed one.
129.
With the colour of refined gold, the Blessed One entered Rājagaha.'
130.
Having gladdened my mind in the Buddha, I worshipped him according to my strength.
131.
Having gone forth from home, I went forth into homelessness.
132.
I learned the entire teaching, not long after I had gone forth.
133.
While the Teaching was being taught, there was the full realization of the teaching.
134.
The demon devoted to me, having roamed around Giribbaja.
135.
Who do not attend upon Sukkā, teaching the Deathless state.
136.
The wise drink it, methinks, like travellers from a rain cloud.
137.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
138.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
139.
Knowledge for me, O great hero, arisen in your presence.
140.
141.
142.
Thus the nun Sukkā spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Sukkā is fifth.
The fifth recitation section.
6.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Abhirūpanandā
143.
Arose, lovely to behold, having vision regarding all phenomena.
144.
Was born handsome, beloved, and worthy of veneration by the people.
145.
Having heard the Teaching, I went for refuge to the leader of men.
146.
Above the relic stupa, I offered a golden umbrella.
147.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
148.
With forms and sounds, with odours, with flavours and with touchings.
149.
Likewise with authority, having attained, I shone forth.
150.
The daughter of Khemaka the Sakyan, renowned by the name Nandā.
151.
When I had attained youth, adorned with beauty and grace.
152.
Therefore my father gave the going forth, 'May the Sakyans not perish.'"
153.
Having heard, I do not approach, proud of my own beauty.
154.
Then the Conqueror, by means, having brought me into his presence.
155.
Like a nymph in form, a young woman, aged and dead.
156.
I stood, weary of existence, then the Leader said to me.
157.
Oozing and dripping, delighted in by the foolish.
158.
Just as this is, so is that; just as that is, so is this.
159.
Then with your own wisdom, having broken through, you shall live."
160.
This body was seen as it really is, within and without.
161.
Diligent, unbound, I am at peace, quenched.
162.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
163.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
164.
Knowledge for me, O great hero, arisen in your presence.
165.
166.
167.
Thus the nun Abhirūpanandā spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Abhirūpanandā is sixth.
7.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Aḍḍhakāsī
168.
Kassapa by clan, the best of speakers arose.
169.
Restrained in the principal monastic code, and in the five faculties.
170.
Dwelling engaged in exertion, I am a nun free from mental corruptions.
171.
By that evil action, I was cooked in hell.
172.
Mostly dependent on others, and in the final birth.
173.
Like a nymph among the gods, I was with accomplishment of beauty.
174.
They established me in the profession of a courtesan, by the power of my abuse.
175.
Accomplished in former impressions, I went forth into homelessness.
176.
Having heard that cheats were standing on the road, I obtained ordination by messenger.
177.
Having crossed over all saṃsāra, and the courtesan's life is spent.
178.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
179.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
180.
Knowledge for me, O great hero, arisen in your presence.
181.
182.
183.
Thus the nun Aḍḍhakāsī spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Aḍḍhakāsī is seventh.
8.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Puṇṇikā
184.
Of the sage Kakusandha, of Koṇāgamana and such ones.
185.
A nun accomplished in morality, prudent, with controlled faculties.
186.
Learners of the teachings, listeners, those who attend.
187.
Because of that great learning, I despised the well-behaved.
188.
In the house of Anāthapiṇḍika, I was born as a water-carrying slave girl.
189.
Afflicted by cold in the midst of the water, having seen that, I spoke this.
190.
Frightened by fear of punishment from my masters, afflicted by fear of verbal blame.
191.
With trembling limbs, you feel the cold intensely."
192.
Doing wholesome action, preventing evil that has been done.
193.
By sprinkling with water, even he is freed from evil deeds."
194.
And having heard that, he, agitated, having gone forth, became a Worthy One.
195.
Therefore my name is Puṇṇā, they made me a free woman.
196.
Not long after, I attained arahantship.
197.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
198.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
199.
My knowledge is spotless, pure, owing to the Buddha, the foremost.
200.
Born of low family through conceit, for action does not perish.
201.
202.
203.
Thus the nun Puṇṇikā spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Puṇṇikā is eighth.
9.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Ambapālī
204.
I was his sister, I was born in a warrior family.
205.
Having given a great gift, I aspired to accomplishment of beauty.
206.
Arose as the light of the world, the refuge of the three worlds, the Conqueror.
207.
Angry, I cursed a nun with a liberated mind.
208.
Having thus reviled, by that evil action.
209.
Passed away from there among human beings, reborn as a female ascetic.
210.
From that evil I would not be freed, like one having eaten deadly poison.
211.
By the result of that action, I was born in the city of the Thirty-three heaven.
212.
Born among the mango branches, therefore I am called Ambapālī.
213.
I have attained the unshakeable state, a legitimate daughter of the Buddha.
214.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
215.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
216.
My knowledge is spotless, pure, owing to the Buddha, the foremost.
217.
218.
219.
Thus the nun Ambapālī spoke these verses.
Thus he spoke.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Ambapālī is ninth.
10.
The Life History of the Senior Nun Pesalā
220.
Kassapa by clan, the best of speakers arose.
221.
Was born, having seen that excellent conqueror, and having heard the Teaching.
222.
Sometimes that great hero, at the assembly of the public.
223.
Regarding teachings not heard before, beginning with suffering and so on.
224.
Having heard that and learnt it, and having inquired, monks.
225.
Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa.
226.
Having approached the Buddha, having heard the Good Teaching connected with truth.
227.
Having exhausted all mental corruptions, I attained arahantship.
228.
In the knowledge of others' mental states, I am a master, O great sage.
229.
With all mental corruptions eliminated, there is now no more rebirth.
230.
My knowledge is spotless, pure, owing to the Buddha, the foremost.
231.
Like a she-elephant having cut the bond, I dwell without mental corruptions.
232.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
233.
The six higher knowledges have been realized, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
Thus the well-behaved nun Pesalā spoke these verses.
The Life History of the Elder Nun Pesalā is tenth.
The Khattiyā Chapter is fourth.
Its summary:
Siṅgāla's Mother and Sukkā, the Beautiful One and the Half-Kāsi Woman.
Two hundred verses here, and forty-two more.
Then the chapter summary:
A thousand and three hundred verses, forty-seven combined.
A thousand three hundred verses, and fifty-seven indeed.
The Life Histories of the Elder Nuns is complete.
The Apadāna Pāḷi is complete.