39. Ambapālī

Walt 1307 The Great Sage was Phussa Buddha,
like a garland of speckled rays.
I was that Buddha’s own sister,
born in Buddha’s kṣatriyan clan. Verse 1

Walt 1308 Having listened to his Teaching,
with a mind that was very clear,
giving him a large alms-giving
I aspired to achieve beauty. Verse 2

Walt 1309 Thirty-one aeons in the past,
Sikhi, Chief Leader of the World,
arose, the Bright Lamp of the World,
the Three Worlds’ Refuge, the Victor. Verse 3

Walt 1310 I’m then born in a brahmin clan,
in lovely Āruṇa City.
Angered about something, I cursed
a nun with liberated mind. Verse 4

Walt 1311-1312 Misbehaved like a prostitute,
I dirtied the dispensation.
Having thus cursed the nun like that,
because of that evil karma,
I went to a horrific hell,
full of terrible suffering.
Fallen from there, again reborn
human, I was an ascetic. Verse 5-6

Walt 1313 For ten thousand different lifetimes,
I was fixed in prostitution;
thus I was not freed from evil,
as though I’d eaten strong poison. Verse 7

Walt 1314 In Kassapa’s dispensation,
I practiced celibate nunhood.
Due to that karma, I was born
in the city of the thirty. Verse 8

Walt 1315 When my last rebirth was attained,
come to be spontaneously,
I was born amidst mango boughs;
therefore I was “Mango-Guarded.” Verse 9

Walt 1316 Along with ten million beings,
gone forth in the dispensation,
I attained the unshaking state,
Buddha’s legitimate daughter. Verse 10

Walt 1317 I’ve mastered the superpowers
like the “divine ear” element.
I’m also a master, Great Sage,
of the knowledge in others’ hearts. Verse 11

Walt 1318 I remember my former lives;
my “divine eye” is purified.
All the defilements are destroyed;
I will not be reborn again. Verse 12

Walt 1319 In meaning and in the Teaching,
etymology and preaching,
this knowledge of mine was produced
in your presence, O Great Hero. Verse 13

Walt 1320 My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint. Verse 14

Walt 1321 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 15

Walt 1322 The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught! Verse 16

Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Ambapālī spoke these verses.

The legend of the bhikkhunī Ambapālī is finished