Thi Ap 36Abhirūpanandā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

36. Abhirūpanandā

Walt 1246 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 1247 I was then in Bandhumatī,

born in a large clan, prosperous

and rich; beautiful and held dear,

I am worshipped by the people. Verse 2

Walt 1248 Having approached the Great Hero,

Vipassi, Leader of the World,

hearing the Teaching, I went for

refuge in the Leader of Men. Verse 3

Walt 1249 Having been restrained in morals,

when the Best Man reached nirvana,

I offered a gold umbrella

on top of the relic-stupa. Verse 4

Walt 1250 I’m freely generous, moral

as long as life; fallen from there,

discarding my human body,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 5

Walt 1251 In ten ways I was outshining

all the other gods who lived there :

through shapes and sounds and fragrances,

through tastes and the things that I touch, Verse 6

Walt 1252 in terms of lifespan, complexion,

happiness and famousness too

and likewise through supreme power

I shone, having attained those ten . Verse 7

Walt 1253 And now, in my final rebirth,

I’m born in Kapilavastu.

I’m well-known by the name Nandā,

the Śākyan Khemaka’s daughter. Verse 8

Walt 1254 The nickname “Very Beautiful”

indicated my loveliness;

when I had attained discretion,

I’m adorned with gorgeous beauty. Verse 9

Walt 1255 Then there was a very big fight

over me among the Śākyans.

Then my father had me ordained,

“don’t let the Śākyas be destroyed.” Verse 10

Walt 1256 Going forth like that, having heard

that the Supreme Man hates beauty,

I did not approach the Buddha,

bring proud about my beauty. Verse 11

Walt 1257 Not even going for advice,

I’m afraid to see the Buddha.

Then the Victor had me led to

his presence by means of a trick. Verse 12

Walt 1258 Clever in the Path, the Buddha

made three different women appear

with forms like celestial nymphs:

one young, one diseased, the third dead. Verse 13

Walt 1259 Seeing them, very moved, I was

freed from delighting in bodies.

I stood there, weary of being,

then the Leader said this to me: Verse 14

Walt 1260 “Nandā, see this complex heap as

diseased, disgusting and putrid.

It is oozing and it’s dripping,

the delight of foolish people. Verse 15

Walt 1261 With one-pointed focus, steadfast,

fix your mind on impurity.

Just as is this, so too is that;

just as is that, so too is this. Verse 16

Walt 1262 Considering that in this way,

industrious by night and day,

you will see with your own wisdom,

having turned away in disgust.” Verse 17

Walt 1263 Not delaying in that purpose,

thinking it all through thoroughly,

I saw this body as it is,

on the inside and the outside. Verse 18

Walt 1264 Then I’m disgusted with bodies,

and inwardly free of passion;

not negligent, no longer yoked,

at peace, and I’ve reached nirvana. Verse 19

Walt 1265 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 1266 I remember my former lives;

my “divine eye” is purified.

All the defilements are destroyed;

I will not be reborn again. Verse 21

Walt 1267 In meaning and in the Teaching,

etymology and preaching,

this knowledge of mine was produced

in your presence, O Great Hero. Verse 22

Walt 1268 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 23

Walt 1269 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 1270 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 Abhirūpanandā spoke these verses.

The legend of Abhirūpanandā 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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