Vimalā, the Former Courtesan

Thig 5.2 · Vimalātherīgāthā

Soft morning light between tall cedars above a moss-covered forest floor.

Intoxicated by my appearance, my figure, my beauty, my fame, and owing to my youth, I looked down on others.
I adorned this body all pretty, lamented by fools, and stood at the brothel door, like a hunter setting a snare.
I stripped for them, revealing my many hidden treasures. Creating an intricate illusion, I laughed, teasing those men.
Today, having wandered for alms, my head shaven, wearing the outer robe, I sat at the root of a tree to meditate; I’ve gained freedom from thought.
All yokes are severed, both human and heavenly. Having wiped out all defilements, I have become cooled and quenched.

Connections

Collection & context

TherīgāthāThe collection containing this text
The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting

Books

Handful of Leaves: an Anthology from the Sutta PiṭakaEarly Buddhist discourses; Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (translator and compiler) · Included in anthology

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato and Jessica Walton · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.