Thi Ap 33Uppaladāyikā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

33. Uppaladāyikā

Walt 1160 In Aruṇavatī City,

lived the kṣatriyan Aruṇa.

I was then the wife of that king;

in that place I was practicing. Verse 1

Walt 1161 Gone off alone and sitting down,

I then reflected on it like this:

“there’s no good karma done by me

to take along on my journey. Verse 2

Walt 1162 Am I not then going to hell,

burning red hot, very cruel,

with a gruesome form, and bitter?

For me there’s no doubt about that.” Verse 3

Walt 1163 Having thought it through in that way.

bringing pleasure to my own mind,

after going up to the king,

I spoke these words entreating him: Verse 4

Walt 1164 “O king, we who are called “women”

always follow behind our men.

Give me a single Buddhist monk;

I shall feed him, O kṣatriyan.” Verse 5

Walt 1165 At that time the king gave to me

a monk with senses well- controlled.

After picking up his alms bowl,

I filled it with exquisite food. Verse 6

Walt 1166 Filling it with exquisite food,

having removed a fine garment

which was valued at a thousand,

I gave it with a happy mind. Verse 7

Walt 1167 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 8

Walt 1168 I was fixed in the chief queen’s place

of one thousand kings of the gods.

I was fixed in the chief queen’s place

of one thousand wheel-turning kings. Verse 9

Walt 1169 There was also much local rule,

innumerable by counting,

and there was much other, varied

fruit of that karma thereafter. Verse 10

Walt 1170 I’m always blue lotus-colored,

very beautiful, good-looking,

a woman endowed in all parts,

of noble birth and radiant. Verse 11

Walt 1171 When my last rebirth was attained

I was born in the Śākyan clan,

leader of one thousand women

attached to Suddhodana’s son. Verse 12

Walt 1172 Becoming wearied in the home,

I went forth into homelessness.

Before the seventh night occurred

I attained the Four Noble Truths. Verse 13

Walt 1173 I cannot count the gifts received,

monastic robes and alms to eat,

requisites as well as lodgings:

that’s the fruit of giving alms food. Verse 14

Walt 1174 O Sage, recall the good karma,

which formerly was done by me;

much of mine has been sacrificed

for the sake of you, Great Hero. Verse 15

Walt 1175 In the thirty-one aeons since

I gave that alms-giving back then,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of giving alms food. Verse 16

Walt 1176 I transmigrate in just two states:

as a goddess or a woman.

I do not know other rebirths;

that’s the fruit of giving alms food. Verse 17

Walt 1177 When human I‘m born in high clans,

which have big halls, very wealthy;

I do not witness lesser clans:

that’s the fruit of giving alms food. Verse 18

Walt 1178 Transmigrating life after life,

incited by my wholesome roots,

I do not see what does not please:

fruit of deeds done with happy mind. Verse 19

Walt 1179 I’ve mastered the superpowers

like the “divine ear” element.

I’m also a master, Great Sage,

of the knowledge in others’ hearts. Verse 20

Walt 1180 I remember my former lives;

my “divine eye” is purified.

All the defilements are destroyed;

I will not be reborn again. Verse 21

Walt 1181 In meaning and in the Teaching,

etymology and preaching,

this knowledge of mine was produced

in your presence, O Great Hero. Verse 22

Walt 1182 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 23

Walt 1183 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 24

Walt 1184 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 25

Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Uppaladāyikā spoke these verses face to face with the Blessed One.

The legend of the bhikkhunī Uppaladāyikā 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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