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 Anāthapiṇḍika’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