Walt 1214 Ninety-one aeons ago the
Leader, whose name was Vipassi,
arose, the One Good to Look At,
the One with Eyes for Everything. Verse 1Walt 1215 I was then in Bandhumatī,
born in an undistinguished clan.
Having heard the Sage’s Teaching,
I went forth into homelessness. Verse 2Walt 1216 Learned bearer of the Teaching,
good preacher, varied discourser,
I was a nun who practiced the
dispensation of the Buddha. Verse 3Walt 1217 Then giving many Dhamma-talks
with friendship to the populace,
fallen from there I was reborn,
full of splendor, in Tusitā. Verse 4Walt 1218 Thirty-one aeons hence, Sikhi,
a Heap of Fire, burning with fame,
the Victor, the Best Debater,
the Buddha, arose in the world. Verse 5Walt 1219 At that very time going forth,
skilled in Buddha’s dispensation,
making the Victor’s sayings shine,
I then went to the thirty gods. Verse 6Walt 1220 The Leader named Vessabhu, too,
arose thirty-one aeons hence.
And then as well I was the same:
a Buddhist nun with vast knowledge. Verse 7Walt 1221 Gone forth, a Dhamma-bearer, I
made Buddha’s dispensation shine.
Gone to the lovely gods’ city,
I experienced great comfort. Verse 8Walt 1222 In this present lucky aeon,
Kakusandha, Supreme Victor,
arose, the Excellent Leopard,
and then as well I was the same. Verse 9Walt 1223 Gone forth, I illuminated
the Sage’s thought, as long as life.
Fallen from there, I went as far
as the sphere of the thirty gods. Verse 10Walt 1224 And in this very same aeon
the Leader Konāgamana
arose next, the Excellent Lamp,
Ultimate among all beings. Verse 11Walt 1225 At that time too, going forth in
the Neutral One’s dispensation,
learned bearer of Dhamma, I
made Buddha’s dispensation shine. Verse 12Walt 1226 Also in this lucky aeon
Kassapa Buddha, Seventh Sage,
arose, the Refuge of the World,
Non-Hostile One, Ender of Death. Verse 13Walt 1227 Gone forth in the dispensation
of that Hero Among Men as well,
I learned the good Teaching by heart,
was confident in inquiry, Verse 14Walt 1228 very moral, also modest,
very skilled in the three trainings,
giving many talks on Dhamma
with friendship as long as I lived. Verse 15Walt 1229 Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then. Verse 16Walt 1230 And now, in my final rebirth,
in Giribbaja, best city,
I was born to rich millionaires,
with a huge quantity of gems. Verse 17Walt 1231 When Gotama, the World’s Leader,
surrounded by one thousand monks,
entered the city, Rajgir, he
was praised by the thousand-eyed god: Verse 18Walt 1232 “The Restrained One, with former ascetics restrained;
the Liberated One, with those liberated;
who had the same color as a coin made of gold,
the Blessed One entered Rajagaha city.” Verse 19Walt 1233 Seeing the Buddha’s majesty,
and hearing him, Heap of Virtues,
pleasing my heart in the Buddha,
I worshipped him with all my strength. Verse 20Walt 1234 At some moment after that, in
the presence of Dhammadinnā,
having gone forth from my own home,
I went forth into homelessness. Verse 21Walt 1235 I destroyed all the defilements
while my hair was being cut off.
Going forth, in no long time, I learned
Buddha’s entire dispensation. Verse 22Walt 1236 After that I preached the Dhamma
in a huge gathering of folks.
While Dhamma was being preached, there
was insight into the Teaching. Verse 23Walt 1237 Seeing varied thousands of folks
achieving insight, astonished,
a spirit, very pleased by me,
roaming about Rajgir said this: Verse 24Walt 1238 “Why are these people in Rajgir
acting like nymphs drunk on honey,
unless they’re honoring Sukkā,
who’s preaching the ambrosial state? Verse 25Walt 1239 Methinks the wise are drinking that
irresistible and unmixed
strength-bestower, like travelers
drink rainwater from a raincloud.” Verse 26Walt 1240 I’ve mastered the superpowers
like the “divine ear” element.
I’m also a master, Great Sage,
of the knowledge in others’ hearts. Verse 27Walt 1241 I remember my former lives;
my “divine eye” is purified.
All the defilements are destroyed;
I will not be reborn again. Verse 28Walt 1242 In meaning and in the Teaching,
etymology and preaching,
this knowledge of mine was produced
in your presence, O Great Hero. Verse 29Walt 1243 My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. Verse 30Walt 1244 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 31Walt 1245 The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 32
Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Sukkā spoke these verses.
The legend of Sukkā Therī is finished