Thi Ap 8Sattuppalamālikāya

– Therīpadāna

– The Legends of the Therīs

8. Sattuppalamālikāya

Walt 71 In Aruṇavatī City,

lived a king named Aruṇavā.

I was then the wife of that king,

sent out by him on a journey. Verse 1

Walt 72 Having taken seven flowers,

divinely perfumed blue lotus,

lying down in that fine palace,

I reflected in this way then: Verse 2

Walt 73 “What use are these flowers to me,

planted on the top of my head?

They’ll be better for me offered

to the Best Buddha’s great knowledge. Verse 3

Walt 74 They’re honoring the Sambuddha;

Sitting near the palace doorway,

when the Sambuddha arrives here,

I too will worship the Great Sage.” Verse 4

Walt 75 Splendid like an arjuna tree ,

like a lion, the king of beasts,

along with the monks’ Assembly,

the Victor then came on the road. Verse 5

Walt 76 After seeing the Buddha’s rays,

happy, with a mind that was moved,

having opened up the door, I

then worshipped the Best of Buddhas. Verse 6

Walt 77 I scattered up in the sky there

those seven blue lotus flowers.

Then covering the Buddha’s head,

they were held up there in the sky . Verse 7

Walt 78 Thrilled at heart, with a happy mind,

awe-struck, with hands pressed together,

bringing pleasure to my heart there,

I went to Tāvatiṁsa then . Verse 8

Walt 79 Blue lotus -flower canopies

are carried on top of my head.

I then exude divine perfumes:

the fruit of seven lotuses. Verse 9

Walt 80 Whenever I am sent somewhere

with my assembly of kinsfolk,

blue lotuses are carried then

over my entire retinue. Verse 10

Walt 81 I was fixed in the chief queen’s place

of seventy kings of the gods.

Everywhere a female ruler,

I transmigrated birth to birth. Verse 11

Walt 82 I was fixed in the chief queen’s place

of sixty-three wheel-turning kings.

They all conform to my wishes ;

I’m one whose words are listened to. Verse 12

Walt 83 My color and exuded scent

are those of blue lotus flowers;

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 13

Walt 84 Skillful in the superpowers,

fond of wisdom’s parts as focus,

special knowledges perfected:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 14

Walt 85 Skilled in retaining mindfulness,

pastured in calm-meditation,

undertaking fit exertion:

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 15

Walt 86 My effort bearing the burden

brought me release from attachments;

defilements are all destroyed,

now there will be no more rebirth. Verse 16

Walt 87 In the thirty-one aeons since

I worshipped him with that flower,

I’ve come to know no bad rebirth;

that’s the fruit of Buddha- pūjā . Verse 17

Walt 88 My defilements are now burnt up;

all new existence is destroyed.

Like elephants with broken chains,

I am living without constraint. Verse 18

Walt 89 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 90 The four analytical modes,

and these eight deliverances,

six special knowledges mastered,

I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 20

Thus indeed Bhikkhunī Sattuppalamālikāya spoke these verses.

The legend of Sattuppalamālikāya 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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