Therigatha2.4

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Adapted from Archaic Translation By Mrs. Rhys Davids 1909

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

2.4 Addhakasi, Daughter Of A Millionare(Setthi) Of Kasi, Ex-Harlot

Born of a respectable family, in the time of Kassapa Buddha, she won understanding, and became a Bhikkhuni, established in the Moral Precepts(Sheel). But she reviled an Arahant(enlightened equal to Buddha) Elder nun by calling her a prostitute, and for this she went to hell. In this Buddha-period she was reborn in the kingdom of Kasi as the child of a distinguished and prosperous citizen. But because of the persistent effect of her former evil speech, she became herself a prostitute. How she renounced the world and was ordained by special messenger is related in the Culla Vagga. For she wished to go to Savatthi to be ordained by the Bhagwa(Lord Buddha). But the unrestrained people of Benares barred the way, so she sent and asked the advice of Bhagava(Lord Buddha), and he permitted her to be ordained by a messenger. Then she, working at insight meditation(Vipassana[1]), not long after obtained Arahantship(enlightenment equal to Buddha), with thorough knowledge of the Dhamma in form and meaning. Upon that she exclaimed:

No less my fee was than the Kasi realm Paid in revenue–this was based on that, Value for value,–so was fixed for me. (25) But irksome now is all my loveliness; I weary of it, disillusioned. Never would I more, again and yet again, Run on the round of rebirth and of death! Now real and true for me the Triple Knowledge.[2] Accomplished I am in the Lord Buddha's Discipline. (26)

[1] 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.

[2]Tisso vijja. Applied to the three attainments of panna, i.e. (i) recall of past rebirths, (ii) the all seeing Heavenly Eye(or divine eyesight) which can see anywhere in the universe, and (iii) the destruction of all the Asavas(sensual desires) within i.e. purity.