Thi Ap 1Sumedhā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

– Sumedhā Chapter, the First

1. Sumedhā

Praise Him, the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Complete Buddha

Now listen to the legends of the Therīs:

Walt 1 When Koṇāgamana, Blessed One,

was in his new dwelling, monastic ashram,

we who were three female friends, then

donated a monastery. Verse 1

Walt 2 Ten times and then a hundred times,

and then a hundred hundred times,

we were reborn among the gods;

who could tell the human rebirths? Verse 2

Walt 3 Among gods we had vast power;

who could tell the human power ?

Chief queen of a seven-gemmer,

I was the gem of a woman. Verse 3

Walt 4 Here with wholesome karma heaped up,

we’re people from successful clans:

Dhanañjānī and Khemā too,

along with me, the women three. Verse 4

Walt 5 Making that hermitage well-made,

with every part of it adorned,

delighted we donated it

to the Buddha-led Assembly. Verse 5

Walt 6 In whichever place I’m reborn,

in accordance with that karma,

among the gods and humans too,

I attain the foremost station. Verse 6

Walt 7 In this present lucky aeon

Brahma’s Kinsman, Greatly Famed One,

the Buddha known as Kassapa

was born, the Best of Debaters. Verse 7

Walt 8 The attendant of the Great Sage

was the ruler of men back then,

the king of Kāsi, named Kiki,

in Benares, greatest city. Verse 8

Walt 9 That ruler had seven daughters,

royal maidens raised in comfort.

Fond of waiting on the Buddha,

they practiced the religious life. Verse 9

Walt 10 Being the ally of those girls ,

steadfast in the moral precepts,

giving gifts very carefully,

I practiced vows while in the house. Verse 10

Walt 11 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 11

Walt 12 Fallen thence, I went to Yāma,

and then I went to Tusitā,

and then to Nimmānarati,

and then Vāsavatti City. Verse 12

Walt 13 In whichever place I’m reborn,

steadfast in doing good karma,

I was fixed in the chief queen’s place

of the kings in all those heavens . Verse 13

Walt 14 Fallen then into humanness,

I was fixed in the chief queen’s place

of kings who turned the wheel of law

and kings commanding large regions. Verse 14

Walt 15 Having experienced happiness

among gods and also humans,

being comfortable everywhere,

I traveled on through several births. Verse 15

Walt 16 That gift’s the reason, that’s the cause,

root, patience for the dispensation,

the first identification,

nirvana of this Dhamma -lover. Verse 16

Walt 17 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 17

Walt 18 Being in Best Buddha's presence

was a very good thing for me.

The three knowledges are attained;

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 18

Walt 19 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 19

Thus indeed Venerable Bhikkhunī Sumedhā spoke these verses.

The legend of Sumedhā Therī is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

This is the first-ever complete translation of Apadāna into a Western language.

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