Thi Ap 38Puṇṇikā

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

38. Puṇṇikā

Walt 1287-1288 Gone forth in the dispensation

of the Blessed One, Vipassi,

and of Sikhi and Vessabhu,

the Sage Kakusandha Buddha ,

Konāgamana, Neutral One,

and of the Buddha Kassapa,

I’m a nun endowed with morals,

clever, with senses well- controlled. Verse 1-2

Walt 1289 Learned bearer of the Teaching,

asker of the Teaching’s meaning,

studier of, listener to

and worshipper of the Teaching, Verse 3

Walt 1290 amidst the people I’m preaching

in the Victor’s dispensation.

Because of my profound learning,

I despised kind associates. Verse 4

Walt 1291 And now, in my final rebirth,

I am a water-jug slave-girl,

born in Śrāvasti, best city,

in Anāthapiṇḍi ka ’s house. Verse 5

Walt 1292 Gone bearing a load of water,

I saw an erudite brahmin,

standing in the water, chilly.

After seeing him I said this: Verse 6

Walt 1293 “Bearing water I always go

down to the water in the cold,

scared with fear of the master’s stick,

oppressed by fear of faults called out. Verse 7

Walt 1294 Of what are you afraid, brahmin?

Limbs shivering you always go

down to the water, so much cold

being experienced by you.” Verse 8

Walt 1295 “You certainly know, Puṇṇikā.

You are asking me who’s doing

wholesome karma and warding off

karma with evil consequence . Verse 9

Walt 1296 Whether he is old is young,

one who performs evil karma,

just by sprinkling himself with water,

is freed from that evil karma.” Verse 10

Walt 1297 I spoke a verse of Dhamma to

him coming out of the water.

Hearing that he was very moved;

gone forth, he was an arahant. Verse 11

Walt 1298 When I was born in the slave clan,

I completed the full hundred.

Therefore they named me “Completer,”

and freed me from my slavery. Verse 12

Walt 1299 Getting the millionaire’s consent,

I went forth into homelessness.

After not a very long time,

I attained my arahantship. Verse 13

Walt 1300 I’ve mastered the superpowers

like the “divine ear” element.

I’m also a master, Great Sage,

of the knowledge in others’ hearts. Verse 14

Walt 1301 I remember my former lives;

my “divine eye” is purified.

All the defilements are destroyed;

I will not be reborn again. Verse 15

Walt 1302 In meaning and in the Teaching,

etymology and preaching,

this knowledge of mine was produced

in your presence, O Great Hero. Verse 16

Walt 1303 Through meditation, very wise;

through what has been heard, one’s learned;

but karma will not be destroyed

through the pride of those of high birth. Verse 17

Walt 1304 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 18

Walt 1305 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 19

Walt 1306 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 20

Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Puṇṇikā spoke these verses.

The legend of Puṇṇikā 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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