Thi Ap 24Sakulā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

24. Sakulā

Walt 769 The Victor, Padumuttara,

was a Master of Everything.

That Leader arose in the world

one hundred thousand aeons hence. Verse 1

Walt 770 For the benefit, happiness

and profit of all beings, the

Best Debater, Thoroughbred Man,

came into the world with its gods. Verse 2

Walt 771 Foremost Fame-Attainer, Victor,

Fortunate, Beautified by Praise,

the Victor for the entire world,

Widely-Known in all directions, Verse 3

Walt 772 the Uprooter of Doubt, the One

who Passed Beyond Uncertainty,

he with an Intention-Filled Mind,

attained Supreme Awakening. Verse 4

Walt 773 Ultimate Man, Progenitor

of the path that had yet to be,

proclaimed that which was unproclaimed,

produced that which was unproduced. Verse 5

Walt 774 Path-Knower, Path-Understander,

Path-Proclaimer, the Bull of Men,

Path-Skilled, the Teacher, the Buddha,

was the Best of Charioteers. Verse 6

Walt 775 The Great Compassionate Teacher,

the Leader was preaching Dhamma ,

lifting up all living beings

sunk in the muck of delusion. Verse 7

Walt 776 I was born in Haṁsavatī,

rejoicing all the kṣatriyans;

I was then very beautiful,

set for wealth, held dear, resplendent. Verse 8

Walt 777 I was the ravishing daughter

of great king Ānanda and thus,

sister by another mother

of him named Padumuttara. Verse 9

Walt 778 Adorned in all my ornaments,

along with the royal maidens,

going up to the Great Hero,

I heard him preaching the Dhamma . Verse 10

Walt 779 And then, amidst the multitudes,

the Guru of the Whole World praised

a Buddhist nun with “divine eye,”

and placed her in that foremost place. Verse 11

Walt 780 I was happy having heard that;

after giving the Teacher alms,

and worshipping the Sambuddha,

I aspired for the “divine eye.” Verse 12

Walt 781 And then the Teacher said to me:

“Joyful one, that is well wished-for;

you will receive as you aspire,

fruit of alms for the Dhamma -Lamp. Verse 13

Walt 782 In one hundred thousand aeons,

arising in Okkāka’s clan,

the one whose name is Gotama

will be the Teacher in the world. Verse 14

Walt 783 Worthy heir to that one’s Dhamma ,

Dhamma ’s legitimate offspring,

the one whose name is Sakulā

will be the Teacher’s follower.” Verse 15

Walt 784 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 16

Walt 785 In this present lucky aeon

Brahma’s Kinsman, Greatly Famed One,

the Buddha known as Kassapa

was born, the Best of Debaters. Verse 17

Walt 786 I was a mendicant back then,

proceeding about on my own.

While wandering around for alms,

I received some sesame oil. Verse 18

Walt 787 Having lit a lamp with that oil,

with a mind that was very clear,

every night I attended on

the shrine of the Best of Bipeds. Verse 19

Walt 788 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 20

Walt 789 In whichever place I’m reborn,

in accordance with that karma,

wherever I am wandering,

when I’m gone there, there are large lamps. Verse 21

Walt 790 Through any wall, through any rock,

going beyond a mountain top ,

I can see whatever I wish:

that is the fruit of giving lamps. Verse 22

Walt 791 I am someone who has pure eyes;

I am blazing forth through my fame;

I am faithful, wise and mindful:

that is the fruit of giving lamps. Verse 23

Walt 792 And now, in my final rebirth,

I am born in a brahmin clan,

rich in grain and abundant wealth,

joyful and honored by the king. Verse 24

Walt 793-794 I was complete in every part,

adorned with all the ornaments.

One time standing in a window,

I saw the Well-Gone-One at the

city gate, Blazing Forth through Fame,

Honored by Gods and by People,

Ornamented with the Great Marks,

Endowed with Eighty Lesser Marks. Verse 25-26

Walt 795 Happy, with a heart that was thrilled,

I chose to seek ordination.

After not a very long time,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 27

Walt 796 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 28

Walt 797 I remember my former lives;

my “divine eye” is purified.

Throwing off all the defilements,

I am purified, I’m stainless. Verse 29

Walt 798 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 799 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 800 Then the Greatly Compassionate

One placed me in that foremost place:

The Supreme Man said, “Sakulā

is foremost of ‘divine eye’ nuns. ” Verse 32

Walt 801 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 33

Walt 802 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 34

Walt 803 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 35

Thus indeed Bhikkhunī Sakulā spoke these verses.

The legend of Sakulā Therī is finished.

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters .

Whitman College, 2017

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