Therīgāthā · Poems of the Elder Nuns
Thig 1:11 Muttā
34 selected poems · translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Translations & sourcesEditions & translators
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu’s anthology of poems attributed to elder nuns. This source offers selections from the larger collection.
Edition & attribution
Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. These 34 selected poems are reproduced from dhammatalks.org under CC BY-NC 4.0. Formatting adapted for Buddhist Atlas; wording unchanged. This is a selection, not the complete Therīgāthā.
An introduction. Follow the source link below to read the translated text.
Introductions, reflection questions and added section headings are editorial material, separate from the attributed translation.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork created for Buddhist Atlas. It is an evocative companion, not a depiction of the text’s historical setting.
Selected translations · free
Source link checked October 1, 2026. The linked publisher provides the text and its usage terms.
Connections
Guru Viking0
No connected episodes found for this text.
People & teachers11
- Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī
A poem in the collection is attributed to Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī (Thig 6.6).
Source
- Khemā
Poems in the collection are attributed to Khemā (Thig 6.3).
Source
- Diana Clark
Teaches on this text:
- Inspiration for Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock)Names this text
- Dhammadīpā
Teaches on this text:
- Progress or No ProgressNames this text
- Ayya Santacitta
Teaches on this text:
- Die erwachten Nonnen und die TherigathaNames this text
- Ajahn Sucitto
Teaches on this text:
- Dhamma Stream Online Puja: The Gift of VulnerabilityNames this text
- Sayadaw U Jagara
Teaches on this text:
- Morning ReflectionsNames this text
- Jeanne Corrigal
Teaches on this text:
- The Seven Factors Of Enlightenment:Names this text
- Greg Scharf
Teaches on this text:
- Stores and Poems from the Therigatha (Retreat at Spirit Rock)Names this text
- Stories and Poems from the Therigatha (Retreat at Spirit Rock)Names this text
5 more connected teachings
- Stories and poems from the TherigathaNames this text
- The First Buddhist NunsNames this text
- Faith and InspirationNames this text
- The First Buddhist NunsNames this text
- The First Buddhist NunsNames this text
- Ayya Medhanandi
Teaches on this text:
- Reading: Therigatha – Venerable Subha Bhikkhuni’s PoemNames this text
- Gil Fronsdal
Teaches on this text:
- Therīgāthā: The Poetry of the Enlightened Nuns (2 of 4)Names this text
- Therīgāthā: The Poetry of the Enlightened Nuns (1 of 4)Names this text
Traditions & history3
- The Buddha & early community
The early community of nuns remembered in these poems.
Source
- Pāli texts written down
Collection context: the poems are transmitted in the Khuddaka Nikāya.
Source
- Theravāda
Study context: this text is included in the Atlas guide to Theravāda.
Books1
- In the Buddha’s Words
Broader context: Pāli discourses on everyday life, renunciation and liberation, with thematic introductions.
Source
Topics4
- Impermanence & letting go
Explore Impermanence & letting go across the Atlas.
- Mindfulness & awareness
Explore Mindfulness & awareness across the Atlas.
- Emptiness & not-self
Explore Emptiness & not-self across the Atlas.
- Grief & loss
Explore Grief & loss across the Atlas.
Make yourself comfortable
About this textContext & reading guide
Therīgāthā — selected poems