Uppalavanna Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anàthapiõóika in Jeta's grove in Sàvatthi.

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

3. Then Màra the evil one, desiring to frighten bhikkhuni Uppalavaõõa, 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 Uppalavaõõa, "Who is it that says a stanza, is it a human or non-human?"

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

6. And bhikkhuni Uppalavaõõa knowing it is Màra 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 Màra the evil one knowing, "Bhikkhuni Uppalavaõõa knows me," displeased, vanished from there.