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7. The Chapter of Sevens 1. The Verses of Sundarasamudda Thera 459. Adorned, well-dressed, wearing garlands, embellished; With feet reddened with lac, a courtesan, mounted on sandals. 460. Having descended from her sandals, in front, with joined palms; She, gently and softly, spoke to me, having first smiled: 461. "You are young, a renunciant, stay in my way of life; Enjoy human sensual pleasures, I will give you wealth; I truly promise you, or I will bring you fire. 462. When we are old, both relying on staffs; Both of us will go forth, a gain in both ways." 463. And seeing her entreating, the courtesan with joined palms; Adorned, well-dressed, like a snare of death spread out. 464. Then my attention... ...dispassion was established. 465. Then my mind was freed... ...the Buddha’s teaching was done." ... Sundarasamudda the Elder.... 2. The Verses of Lakuṇḍakabhaddiya Thera 466. In the Ambāṭaka Grove, in the forest thicket, Bhaddiya; Having uprooted craving with its root, there, like a good one, he meditates. 467. "Some delight with drums, with lutes and tabors; And I, at the foot of a tree, delight in the Buddha’s teaching. 468. If the Buddha would grant me a boon, and that boon would be obtained by me; I would take for all the world, constant mindfulness of the body. 469. Those who perceived me by form, and those who followed by sound; Overcome by desire and passion, those people do not know me. 470. He does not know inwardly, and does not see outwardly; A fool, obscured all around, he is indeed carried away by sound. 471. He does not know inwardly, and sees outwardly; Seeing results outwardly, he too is carried away by sound. 472. He knows inwardly, and sees outwardly; Seeing without obstruction, he is not carried away by sound." ... Elder Lakuṇḍakabhaddiya ... 3. Verses of Elder Bhadda 473. "I was an only son, dear to mother, dear to father; obtained through many vows and many supplications. 474. "And they, out of compassion for me, desiring my welfare, wishing my good, both father and mother, presented me to the Buddha." 475. "This son, difficult to obtain, tender, well-nurtured; him we give to you, Lord, as an attendant to the Conqueror." 476. "And the Teacher, having received me, said this to Ānanda: 'Ordain him quickly, he will be a noble one.'" 477. "Having ordained me, the Teacher, the Conqueror, entered the monastery; before the sun had set, then my mind was liberated." 478. "Then the Teacher, having emerged from seclusion, said to me, 'Come, Bhadda!' That was my higher ordination." 479. "At seven years of age, I received higher ordination; the three knowledges were attained, oh, how excellent the Dhamma is!" ... Elder Bhadda ... 4. Verses of Elder Sopāka 480. "Seeing the supreme man walking in the shade of the palace; there I approached him, I would pay homage to the supreme person." 481. "Having placed my robe over one shoulder, and having clasped my hands; I would walk behind the Stainless One, the supreme one of all beings." 482. "Then the Teacher, skilled in questions, the wise one, questioned me; without trembling and without fear, I answered the Teacher." 483. "When the questions were answered, the Tathāgata approved; looking at the assembly of monks, he spoke this matter." 484. "Great gain for the Angas and Magadhas, whose offerings he partakes of; robes, almsfood, requisites, lodging; and rising to greet him with respect, 'Theirs is the gain,' he said." 485. "From today onwards, Sopāka, come to see me; and this, Sopāka, shall be your higher ordination." 486. "At seven years of age, having received higher ordination; I bear my final body, oh, how excellent the Dhamma is!" ... Elder Sopāka.... The Verses of Elder Sarabhaṅga Having broken reeds with my hands, And made a hut, I dwelt there. Therefore, Sarabhaṅga Was my name by convention. It is not proper for me today To break reeds with my hands. Training rules have been laid down for us By Gotama, the glorious. The whole, complete disease (of existence), I, Sarabhaṅga, did not see before. Now this disease has been seen By the follower of the word of the Supreme One. By the path Vipassī went, By the path Sikhī and Vessabhū went; Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, and Kassapa too, By that straight path Gotama went. Free from craving, without grasping, The seven Buddhas, whose defilements are destroyed; By whom this Dhamma was taught, By those who have become Dhamma, such ones. The four noble truths, Out of compassion for living beings: Suffering, its origin, the path, And cessation, the destruction of suffering. In which suffering ceases, In endless transmigration; With the breaking up of this body, And the exhaustion of life; There is no other re-existence, I am well-liberated in every way. ... Elder Sarabhaṅga. The Chapter of Sevens is finished. Therein is the summary – Elder Sundarasamudda, Elder Lakuṇḍabhaddiya; Elder Bhadda and Sopāka, Sarabhaṅga, the great seer; In the Chapter of Sevens, five elders, Thirty-five verses.