Thi Ap 37Aḍḍhakāsikā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

37. Aḍḍhakāsikā

Walt 1271 In this present lucky aeon,

Brahma’s Kinsman, Greatly Famed One,

the Buddha known as Kassapa

was born, the Best of Debaters. Verse 1

Walt 1272 At that time, having been ordained

in that Buddha’s dispensation,

I’m restrained in the five senses,

and in monastic discipline. Verse 2

Walt 1273-1274 Moderate in eating, I was

committed to being watchful,

dwelling fixed on practice. One time

however, with a filthy mind,

I slandered an undefiled nun

by saying, “ She’s a prostitute.”

Because of that evil karma,

I roasted in a fearful hell. Verse 3-4

Walt 1275 Due to the rest of that karma,

I was born in a clan of whores,

repeatedly committing sins;

and then in my final rebirth, Verse 5

Walt 1276 I’m born among the Kāsians,

in a millionaire’s clan. Due to

former celibacy I was

gorgeous, like a nymph among gods. Verse 6

Walt 1277 Seeing my extreme beauty, in

Rajgir, best city, they made me

enter prostitution due to

my formerly having slandered. Verse 7

Walt 1278 After hearing the good Teaching

which was preached by the Best Buddha,

endowed with former impressions,

I went forth into homelessness. Verse 8

Walt 1279 Seeking ordination having

gone into the Victor’s presence,

hearing that rogues were on the road,

I got ordained by messenger. Verse 9

Walt 1280 All my karma has been burnt up,

merit and likewise evil too;

birth and rebirth crossed beyond,

and prostitution’s thrown away. Verse 10

Walt 1281 I’ve mastered the superpowers

like the “divine ear” element.

I’m also a master, Great Sage,

of the knowledge in others’ hearts. Verse 11

Walt 1282 I remember my former lives;

my “divine eye” is purified.

All the defilements are destroyed;

I will not be reborn again. Verse 12

Walt 1283 In meaning and in the Teaching,

etymology and preaching,

this knowledge of mine was produced

in your presence, O Great Hero. Verse 13

Walt 1284 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 14

Walt 1285 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 15

Walt 1286 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 16

Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Aḍḍhakāsikā spoke these verses.

The legend of Aḍḍhakāsikā 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.

This is the first-ever complete translation of Apadāna into a Western language.

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