Therigatha1.16

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Adapted from Archaic Translation By Mrs. Rhys Davids 1909

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

1.16 Sumana, Sister of Pasenadi, King of Kosala

(Who left the world when old).

She too, having made her resolve under former Buddhas, and accumulating good (karma) in this life and in that, was, in this Buddha-period, born at Savatthi as the sister of the King of Kosala. Hearing the Master(Buddha) preach the doctrine to the King Pasenadi in the discourse beginning, 'There are four young creatures, who may not be disregarded,'  [1] she believed, and was established in the Refuges and the Moral Precepts(Sheel). Gladly, to leave the world, she put off doing so that she might take care of her grandmother as long as she lived. After the grandmother's death, Sumana went, accompanied by the King, to the Vihara(monastery), taking much treasure in carpets and shawls, and presenting them to the Order. And hearing the Master(Buddha) teach, she attained the fruit of the State of No-return(Anagami[2]), and asked for ordination. And the Master, discerning the maturity of her knowledge, spoke thus:

Happily rest, you venerable lady! Rest you, wrapped in the robe yourself have made. Stilled are the passions that have raged within. calmed are you now, knowing Nibbana's peace. (16) And when he had finished, she won Arahantship(enlightenment equal to Buddha), together with thorough knowledge of the Dhamma(path of eternal truth) in true form and in meaning. In her blissfulness she uttered that same verse, so that it became the announcement of her Anna (Enlightened state). Straightway she left the world for the Order.

[1] The 'young creatures' in the parable are a prince, a serpent, a fire, and a bhikkhu. All four are great potential agencies for good or evil hence not to be ignored when encountered.

[2] Anagami - lit. non-returner, The state prior to nirvana , one who will be reborn in Brahmaloka (arch-angel world) and then from there one will achieve Nirvana.