Thi Ap 35Sukkā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

35. Sukkā

Walt 1214 Ninety-one aeons ago the

Leader, whose name was Vipassi,

arose, the One Good to Look At,

the One with Eyes for Everything. Verse 1

Walt 1215 I was then in Bandhumatī,

born in an undistinguished clan.

Having heard the Sage’s Teaching,

I went forth into homelessness. Verse 2

Walt 1216 Learned bearer of the Teaching,

good preacher, varied discourser,

I was a nun who practiced the

dispensation of the Buddha. Verse 3

Walt 1217 Then giving many Dhamma -talks

with friendship to the populace,

fallen from there I was reborn,

full of splendor, in Tusitā. Verse 4

Walt 1218 Thirty-one aeons hence, Sikhi,

a Heap of Fire, burning with fame,

the Victor, the Best Debater,

the Buddha, arose in the world. Verse 5

Walt 1219 At that very time going forth,

skilled in Buddha’s dispensation,

making the Victor’s sayings shine,

I then went to the thirty gods . Verse 6

Walt 1220 The Leader named Vessabhu, too,

arose thirty-one aeons hence.

And then as well I was the same:

a Buddhist nun with vast knowledge. Verse 7

Walt 1221 Gone forth, a Dhamma -bearer, I

made Buddha’s dispensation shine.

Gone to the lovely gods’ city,

I experienced great comfort. Verse 8

Walt 1222 In this present lucky aeon,

Kakusandha, Supreme Victor,

arose, the Excellent Leopard,

and then as well I was the same. Verse 9

Walt 1223 Gone forth, I illuminated

the Sage’s thought, as long as life.

Fallen from there, I went as far

as the sphere of the thirty gods . Verse 10

Walt 1224 And in this very same aeon

the Leader Konāgamana

arose next, the Excellent Lamp,

Ultimate among all beings. Verse 11

Walt 1225 At that time too, going forth in

the Neutral One’s dispensation,

learned bearer of Dhamma , I

made Buddha’s dispensation shine. Verse 12

Walt 1226 Also in this lucky aeon

Kassapa Buddha, Seventh Sage,

arose, the Refuge of the World,

Non-Hostile One, Ender of Death. Verse 13

Walt 1227 Gone forth in the dispensation

of that Hero Among Men as well,

I learned the good Teaching by heart,

was confident in inquiry, Verse 14

Walt 1228 very moral, also modest,

very skilled in the three trainings,

giving many talks on Dhamma

with friendship as long as I lived. Verse 15

Walt 1229 Due to that karma done very well,

with intention and firm resolve,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 16

Walt 1230 And now, in my final rebirth,

in Giribbaja, best city,

I was born to rich millionaires,

with a huge quantity of gems. Verse 17

Walt 1231 When Gotama, the World’s Leader,

surrounded by one thousand monks,

entered the city, Rajgir, he

was praised by the thousand-eyed god: Verse 18

Walt 1232 “The Restrained One, with former ascetics restrained;

the Liberated One, with those liberated;

who had the same color as a coin made of gold,

the Blessed One entered Rajagaha city.” Verse 19

Walt 1233 Seeing the Buddha’s majesty,

and hearing him, Heap of Virtues,

pleasing my heart in the Buddha,

I worshipped him with all my strength. Verse 20

Walt 1234 At some moment after that, in

the presence of Dhammadinnā,

having gone forth from my own home,

I went forth into homelessness. Verse 21

Walt 1235 I destroyed all the defilements

while my hair was being cut off.

Going forth, in no long time, I learned

Buddha’s entire dispensation. Verse 22

Walt 1236 After that I preached the Dhamma

in a huge gathering of folks.

While Dhamma was being preached, there

was insight into the Teaching. Verse 23

Walt 1237 Seeing varied thousands of folks

achieving insight, astonished,

a spirit, very pleased by me,

roaming about Rajgir said this : Verse 24

Walt 1238 “Why are these people in Rajgir

acting like nymphs drunk on honey,

unless they’re honoring Sukkā,

who’s preaching the ambrosial state? Verse 25

Walt 1239 Methinks the wise are drinking that

irresistible and unmixed

strength-bestower, like travelers

drink rainwater from a raincloud.” Verse 26

Walt 1240 I’ve mastered the superpowers

like the “divine ear” element.

I’m also a master, Great Sage,

of the knowledge in others’ hearts. Verse 27

Walt 1241 I remember my former lives;

my “divine eye” is purified.

All the defilements are destroyed;

I will not be reborn again. Verse 28

Walt 1242 In meaning and in the Teaching,

etymology and preaching,

this knowledge of mine was produced

in your presence, O Great Hero. Verse 29

Walt 1243 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 30

Walt 1244 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 31

Walt 1245 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 32

Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Sukkā spoke these verses.

The legend of Sukkā 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.

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