Thi Ap 23Dhammadinnā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

23. Dhammadinnā

Walt 733 The Victor, Padumuttara,

was a Master of Everything.

That Leader arose in the world

one hundred thousand aeons hence. Verse 1

Walt 734 I then lived in Haṁsavatī,

born in an undistinguished clan.

I worked for others, governed by

morality, intelligent. Verse 2

Walt 735 Sujāta, foremost follower

of Padumuttara Buddha,

departing the monastery,

was going begging for alms-food. Verse 3

Walt 736 I was then a water-bearer,

going carrying a pitcher.

Seeing him I gave him some soup,

feeling well- pleased by my own hands. Verse 4

Walt 737 Having accepted that from me,

he sat down there and enjoyed it.

After leading him to that house,

I gave some solid food to him. Verse 5

Walt 738 Then my employer, being pleased,

made me his own daughter-in-law.

Going with my mother-in-law,

I worshipped him, the Sambuddha. Verse 6

Walt 739 Then he extolled a Buddhist nun

who was a preacher of Dhamma .

He placed her in that foremost place;

hearing that I was delighted. Verse 7

Walt 740 Then, inviting the Well-Gone-One,

World’s Leader with the Assembly,

giving them a large almsgiving,

I aspired to attain that place. Verse 8

Walt 741-742 Then the Well-Gone-One said to me,

with the sweet sound of a cymbal:

“O one who’s fond of serving me,

O servant of the Assembly,

O hearer of the good Teaching,

proper one, mind set on virtue,

O lucky one, be overjoyed:

you will attain your wish’s fruit. Verse 9-10

Walt 743 In one hundred thousand aeons,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 11

Walt 744 Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma ,

Dhamma ’s legitimate offspring,

the one whose name’s Dhammadinnā

will be the Teacher’s follower.” Verse 12

Walt 745 At that time being overjoyed,

as long as life, heart full of love,

I attended on the Victor,

the Guide, providing requisites. Verse 13

Walt 746 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 14

Walt 747 In this present lucky aeon

Brahma’s Kinsman, Greatly Famed One,

the Buddha known as Kassapa

was born, the Best of Debaters. Verse 15

Walt 748 The attendant of the Great Sage

was the ruler of men back then,

the king of Kāsi, named Kiki,

in Benares, greatest city. Verse 16

Walt 749 I was his sixth royal daughter,

well-known by the name Sudhammā.

Hearing the Best Victor’s Teaching,

I chose to seek ordination. Verse 17

Walt 750-751 Our father did not permit it;

we stayed at home during that time,

comfortable royal maidens

doing our practice with vigor

in virginal celibacy,

for twenty times a thousand years,

fond of waiting on the Buddha,

the king’s seven joyful daughters. Verse 18-19

Walt 752 Samaṇī, and Samaṇaguttā,

Bhikkhunī, Bhikkhadāyikā,

Dhammā, and also Sudhammā,

and seventh Saṅghadāyikā, Verse 20

Walt 753 now Khemā Uppalavaṇṇā,

Paṭācārā and Kuṇḍalā,

Kisā gotamī, also I,

and Visākhā is the seventh. Verse 21

Walt 754 Due to those karmas done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 22

Walt 755 And now, in my final rebirth,

I’m born in a millionaire’s clan,

rich, endowed with every pleasure,

in Rajgir, excellent city. Verse 23

Walt 756 When I’d become a young woman,

possessing the virtue of beauty,

married to another good clan,

I dwelt endowed with happiness. Verse 24

Walt 757 Having approached the World’s Refuge,

having heard his Dhamma -preaching,

through the Buddha, my husband gained

the fruit of a non-returner. Verse 25

Walt 758 Then I, having been permitted,

went forth into homelessness too.

After not a very long time,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 26

Walt 759 Then a layman, approaching me,

asked me a series of questions

which were very deep and subtle;

I explained all of them to him . Verse 27

Walt 760-761 The Victor, pleased by my virtue,

then placed me in that foremost place,

Buddhist nun, preacher of Dhamma : “I see no other one who is

as wise as is Dhammadinnā;

so should you consider her, monks.”

“I am indeed a wise woman,

who was pitied by the Leader. Verse 28-29

Walt 762 The Teacher’s been worshipped by me;

I have done what the Buddha taught.

The heavy load has been laid down,

the ties to existence severed. Verse 30

Walt 763 The reason for which I went forth,

from my home into homelessness —

I have now achieved that purpose:

destruction of all the fetters. Verse 31

Walt 764 I’ve mastered the superpowers

like the “divine ear” element.

I know the hearts of others too,

I have done what the Teacher taught. Verse 32

Walt 765 I remember my former lives;

my “divine eye” is purified.

Throwing off all the defilements,

I am purified, I’m stainless. Verse 33

Walt 766 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 34

Walt 767 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 35

Walt 768 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 36

Thus indeed Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā spoke these verses.

The legend of Dhammadinnā Therī is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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