Therigatha5.7

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Adapted from Archaic Translation By Mrs. Rhys Davids 1909

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

5.7 Sakula, Or Pakula, A Brahmin(Priest) Matron Of Savatthi, Foremost Of The Theris Who Had The Faculty Of The 'Eye Celestial'

Now she, at the time when Padumuttara was Buddha, came to birth at Hansavati as the daughter of King Ananda and half-sister of the Master, and was named Nanda. One day she sat listening to the Master, and hearing him place a Bhikkhuni at the top of those who had the faculty of the 'Heavenly Eye,' she vowed that this rank should one day be hers. And after many good works and subsequent happy rebirths, she came to being on earth when Kassapa was Buddha, as a brahminee, and renounced the world as an ascetic, [1] vowed to a solitary life. One day she offered her alms at the Master's shrine, making a lamp-offering all night long. Reborn in the heaven of the Three-and-Thirty gods(angels in heaven), she became possessed of the Heavenly Eye; and, when this Buddha was living, she was born a brahminee at Savatthi, and called Pakula. Assisting at the Master's(Buddha's) acceptance of the gift of the Jetavana Grove(monastery), she became a believer; and, later on, convinced by the preaching of an Arahant(enlightened equal to Buddha) monk, she grew self-conscious, entered the Order, strove and struggled in insight meditation (Vipassana[2]), and soon won Arahantship(enlightenment equal to Buddha).

From that time on, in consequence of her vow, she accumulated skill in the heavenly sight, and was assigned foremost place in that by the Master(Buddha). And looking back at that, thrilled with gladness, she blissfully said thus:

While yet I dwelt as matron in the house, I heard a Monk explaining the Dhamma(path of eternal truth). I saw that Dhamma(path of eternal truth), the Pure, the Passionless, Path to Nibbana, beyond decease and rebirth. (97)

Because of that I left my daughter, left my son, I left my treasures and my stores of grain; I called for robes and razors, shaved my hair, And ordained myself into the homeless ascetic life. (98)

And first as novice, virtuous and keen To cultivate the upward mounting Way, I cast out wants and with it all ill-will, And after that, one by one, the deadly Desires. (99) Then to the Bhikkhuni of ripening power arose in a vision memories of past lives. Clear, holy divine eye was obtained, by persistent exercise. (100) <p style="text-align:center;">Act, speech and thought I saw as not myself, <p style="text-align:center;">Children of cause & effect, fleeting, impermanent. <p style="text-align:center;">And now, with every poisonous desire cast out, <p style="text-align:center;">calmed and serene, I see Nibbana's peace. (101)

[1] Paribbajaka

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