Therigatha1.3

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Adapted from Archaic Translation By Mrs. Rhys Davids 1909

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

1.3 Punna, Daughter of a Millionare(Setthi) of Savatthi

The following verse is that of a student named Punna.[1] She, accumulating good karma(deeds) of age-enduring efficacy in many rebirths under former Buddhas, was born–when the world was empty of a Saviour Buddha–as a fairy, by the River Chandabhaga. One day she worshipped a certain Silent Buddha(Pachekabuddha[2]) with a wreath of reeds. By that (merit) gaining heaven, she was, in this Buddha-period, reborn as the child of a leading elite of Savatthi and named Punna. When she had so dwelt for twenty years, her destiny then being fully ripe, she heard the Great Pajapati (The sister and co-wife of the Buddha's mother & head of nuns order) teach the doctrine, and renounced the world. Becoming a student, she began to practise insight meditation(Vipassana[3]). And the Master(Buddha) from the 'Fragrant Chamber' sent his radiant ethereal form, and spoke this verse:

Fill up, Punna, with the Dhamma(holy life), Even as on fifteenth day the full-orbed moon. Fill full the perfect knowledge of the Panna(divine understanding), And scatter all the gloom of ignorance. (3) Hearing this, her insight meditation(Vipassana) grew in fruition, and she attained Arahantship(enlightenment equal to Buddha). This verse is the expression of her blissfulness and the affirmation of her Anna (Enlightened state).[4]

[1] Punna='full', 'complete' (Purna)

[2] A free rendering of Pacceka-Buddha–one enlightened for himself alone, not a world-Saviour.

[3] Vipassana : This refers to the foremost insight meditation called 'Vipassana' taught by Buddha in which attention is focussed on inner phenomenon (breath,body,mind,emotions & sensations) with detachment (samata/equanimity) leading to self-awakening & enlightenment.

[4] Pronounce Anya = literally, her having come to know. A subjective synonym of Arahantship(enlightenment equal to Buddha).