Division I –– Sagātha Book 5 –– Bhikkhūnī Saṃyutta (chapter 1 –– Bhikkhūnī Vagga)

Sutta Pitaka
Samyutta Nikāya
Division I –– Sagātha
Book 5 –– Bhikkhūnī Saṃyutta
(Chapter 1 –– Bhikkhūnī Vagga)

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa

 

5. 1. 1.

(1) Ālavikā –– Bhikkhuni Ālavikā

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.

1. Then bhikkhuni Ālavika putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest to find seclusion.

2. Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Ālavika approached her and said this stanza:

“In the world, there is no refuge, what could seclusion do to you.
Partake sensual passion, do not have remorse later.”

3. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Ālavika, “Who is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?”

4. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Ālavika, it is Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten me and disturb me in my seclusion that has said this stanza.

5. And bhikkhuni Ālavika knowing it is Māra the evil One, replied with this stanaza

“There is a refuge in the world, I have realized it wisely.
Relation of negligence, you do not know that!
Sensuality is like the blade of a sword,
The masses are like the executing block,
You talk of sensual passion, I have become passionless.

7. Then Māra the evil one knowing, “Bhikkhuni Ālavika knows me,” displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 2.

(2) Soma –– Bhikkhuni Soma

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.

2. Then bhikkhuni Soma, putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for the alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and sat at the root of a tree to find seclusion.

3. Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Soma approached her and said this stanza:

“That state difficult to achieve, should be achieved by sages.
Women with two inches of wisdom cannot achieve it”

4. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Soma, “Who is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?”

5. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Soma, it is Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten me and disturb me in my seclusion that has said this stanza.

6. And bhikkhuni Soma knowing it is Māra the evil One, replied with this stanaza:

“When the mind is established, being a woman does not matter
I have knowledge and reflect the Teaching rightfully.
If that was not so, whether to woman or man
Whatever was mine is suitable to be in the power of Māra.”

6. Then Māra the evil one knowing, “Bhikkhuni Soma knows me,” displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 3.

(3) Gotami –– The Bikkhuni Kisa Gotami

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.

2. Then bhikkhuni Kisa-Gotami, putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes, entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and sat at the root of a certain tree to find seclusion.

3. Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Kisa Gotami approached her and said this stanza:

“Why do you sit alone with tearing eyes as though the sons are dead?
Is it in search of a man, that you have entered the forest?”

4. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Kisa Gotami “Wwho is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?”

5. It occurred to bhikkhuni Kisa Gotami, “It is Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten me and disturb me in my seclusion that has said this stanza.”

6. And bhikkhuni Kisa Gotami knowing it is Māra the evil One, replied with this stanaza:

“I have perpetually lost my sons and also my men
Friend, I do not grieve or cry, am not afraid of those losses.
I have destroyed all interests and the mass of ignorance is split
Victorious over the array of Death, I live without desires.”

7. Then Māra the evil one knowing, “Bhikkhuni Kisa Gotami knows me,” displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 4.

(4) Vijayā –– Bhikkhuni Vijayā

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.

2. Bhikkhuni Vijayā putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest to find seclusion and sat under a certain tree. Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Vijayā approached her and said this stanza:

“You are beautiful and young, am also young with black hair
Come noble lady lets enjoy sense pleasures with the fivefold music”

3. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Vijayā, “Who is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?”

4. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Vijayā, “It is Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten me and disturb me in my seclusion that has said this stanza.”

5. And bhikkhuni Vijya knowing it is Māra the evil One, replied with this stanza:

“Pleasing forms, sounds, tastes scents and touches,
Māra, I turn them back to you, I do not value them
I am disgusted and loath this putrid, breaking, brittle, body
Those beings pursuing matter and the beings desiring immaterial states
And the beings in attainments, all these dark states I have destroyed.”

4. Then Māra the evil one knowing, “Bhikkhuni Vijayā knows me,” displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 5.

(5) Uppalavaṇṇa –– Bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇa

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi.

2. Then bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇa putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and stood under a bloomed Sala tree.

3. Then Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇa, approached her and said this stanza:

“Bhikkhuni, you have come to the root of a bloomed, Sala tree
And stand here alone, don’t you have a second to accompany tou?
Are there any others like you here? Young one, aren’t you afraid of rascals?”

4. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇa, “Who is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?”

5. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇa, it is Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten me and disturb me, said this stanza.

6. And bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇa knowing it is Māra the evil One, replied with this stanza:

“Hundreds and thousands of rascals like you may come here!
I would not be frightened, even a hair would not rise!
Although alone, I am not frightened. Here I disappear and enter even your belly.
I will enter even your body and you will not see me.
I have control of my mind, and have developed the four ways of making determinations.
Friend, I do not fear you, am free from all bonds.”

7. Then Māra the evil one knowing, “Bhikkhuni Uppalavaṇṇa knows me,” displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 6.

(6) Cala –– Bhikkhuni Cala

1. The origin is Sāvatthi.

2. Then bhikkhuni Cala putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and sat under a certain tree to spend the day in seclusion.

Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Cala approached her and said thus:

“Bhikkhuni, what don’t you approve?”

“Friend, I do not approve birth.”

“Why don’t you approve birth?”

“The born enjoy sensuality.”

“Bhikkhuni, who taught you, ‘do not be pleased with birth?’”

3. “To the born there is death. Unpleasantness touches the born,
In the form of bindings, killings and misery, therefore I disapprove birth.
The Enlightened One, teaches to put an end to birth,
To dispel all unpleasantness, I’m established in that truth.
Beings, pursuing matter and those wishing immaterial states,
Not understanding cessation, come back to be born.”

4. Then Māra the evil one knew that he was recognized by Bhikkhuni Cala, and displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 7.

(7) Upācala –– Bhikkhuni Upācala

1. The origin is Sāvatthi.

2. Then bhikkhuni Upācala putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and sat under a certain tree to spend the day in seclusion.

Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Upācala approached her and said thus:

“Bhikkhuni, where do you desire to be born?”

3. “Friend, I do not wish to be born.”

4. “Establish your mind with the company of gods, of the thirty-three,
Or of the under world, or of happiness, or of those attached to creating,
Or those under the control of others and enjoy the pleasures.”

5. “The company of gods, of the thirty-three, of the under world, of happiness,
Of those attached to creating and those under the control of others
Are bound by the bond of sensuality and come back to be controlled by Māra
All forefathers of the world, all establishers, all illuminators
All those who caused distress in the world and those who did not cause distress,
Did not change and all ordinary folk
Come back to the domains of death, I am not interested in it.”

6. Then Māra the evil one knew that he was recognized by Bhikkhuni Upācala, and displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 8.

(8) Sīsūpacālā –– Bhikkhuni Sīsūpacālā (or Sisupacālā)

1. The origin is Sāvatthi. Then bhikkhuni Sīsūpacālā putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and sat under a certain tree to spend the day in seclusion.

2. Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Sīsūpacālā approached her and said thus:

“Bhikkhuni, whose heresy do you like?”

3. “Friend, I do not like anybody’s heresy.”

4. “On account of who, have you shaved your head?
You look like a woman, gone forth.
Does not like heresy,
Why do you go about, as if deluded?”

5. “There are those who are pleased with other heresy and views.
I am not pleased or clever in them.
There is an enlightened, incomparable man, born to the Sakya clan
He has conquered all, expelled death, has become victorious in all good.
Released from all good, does not cling. That wise one knows everything.
He has come to the end of all action, is released, destroying substratum.
He is my blessed Teacher and I am pleased with his dispensation.”

6. Then Māra the evil one knew that he was recognized by Bhikkhuni Sisupācala, and displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 9.

(9) Sela –– Bhikkhuni Sela

1. The origin is Sāvatthi. Then bhikkhuni Sela putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and sat under a certain tree to spend the day in seclusion.

2. Then Māra the evil one desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Sela approached her and said thus:

“Whose, is this made up image and who made it?
How did the form rise and how will it cease?”

3. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Sela, “Who is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?”

4. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Sela, “It is Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten me and disturb me and she said this stanza.”

5. And bhikkhuni Sela knowing it is Māra the evil One, replied with this stanza

“This form is not made by me, nor is the misfortune done by another,
On account of causes come together, when the causes vanish will cease
As though a certain seed placed in the field would grow,
Coming to contact with earth and dampness,
In the same manner on account of the masses, elements
And the thirty-six spheres it arose and when the causes vanish, it will cease.”

6. Then Māra the evil one knew that he was recognized by Bhikkhuni Sela, and displeased, vanished from there.

 

5. 1. 10.

(10) Vajira –– Bhikkhuni Vajira

1. The origin is Sāvatthi. Then bhikkhuni Vajira putting on robes in the morning and taking bowl and robes entered Sāvatthi for alms. Going the alms round and after the meal, she approached the dark forest and sat under a certain tree to spend the day in seclusion.

2. Then Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Vajira, approached her and said this stanza:

3. “By whom is this image made, where is the maker?
How did the being rise and how will it cease?”

4. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Vajira “Who is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?”

5. Then it occurred to bhikkhuni Vajira, “It is Māra the evil one, desiring to frighten me and disturb me.”

6. And bhikkhuni Vajira knowing it is Māra the evil One, replied with this stanza:

“Māra, you are with a view, what do you take for granted as a being?
Here you do not gain a self, it’s completely a mass of determinations
Just as all parts put together is called a chariot.
Even so when the masses are present, it is accepted as a being.
The produced unpleasantness stays and fades
Nothing other than unpleasantness is produced and ceases”

7. Then Māra the evil one knew that he was recognized by Bhikkhuni Vajira, and displeased, vanished from there.