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Sumedhā Chapter The Apadāna of Theri Sumedhā Now listen to the Apadānas of the Theris – 1. When the Blessed One Koṇāgamana was there, In a new dwelling, a monastery; We three women friends, Gave a gift of a dwelling. 2. Ten times, a hundred times, A thousand times, and a hundred times a hundred; We were reborn among the devas, What then of humans? 3. Among devas we were greatly powerful, What then of human existence? A queen of the seven treasures, I became a jewel among women. 4. Here, having accumulated merit, Born into a very prosperous family; Dhanañjānī and Khemā, And I, were those three people. 5. Having made a well-built park, Adorned with all its parts; To the Sangha headed by the Buddha, Having offered it, we rejoiced. 6. Wherever I was reborn, By the power of that kamma; I attained pre-eminence among devas, And likewise among humans. 7. In this very eon, The kinsman of Brahmā, greatly renowned; Named Kassapa by clan, The best of speakers arose. 8. The attendant of the great sage, At that time was the lord of men; King Kikī of Kāsī, In the excellent city of Bārāṇasī. 9. He had seven daughters, Royal maidens, well-nourished in happiness; Devoted to serving the Buddha, They practiced the holy life. 10. Having become their companion, Well-established in virtue; Having given gifts respectfully, I practiced the vow even in the household. 11. By that well-done kamma, And by my aspirations and resolves; Having abandoned the human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa. 12. Having fallen from there, I went to Yāma, From there I went to Tusita; And from there to Nimmānaratī, Then to Vasavattīpura. 13. Wherever I was reborn, Endowed with meritorious kamma; There, in each place, I became the chief queen of kings. 14. Having fallen from there, in human existence, Of universal monarchs, Of rulers And of kings, I was made chief queen. 15. Having experienced prosperity, among gods and humans; Having been happy everywhere, I wandered through many births. 16. That was the cause and that was the origin, its root was patience in the teaching; That first convergence, that was Nibbāna, delighting in Dhamma. 17. My defilements are burnt, all existences are uprooted; Having cut the bonds like an elephant, I dwell without taints. 18. Indeed, it was a good coming for me, in the presence of my Buddha; The three knowledges are attained, the Buddha's teaching has been done. 19. The four analytical knowledges, and these eight liberations; The six supernormal powers are realized, the Buddha's teaching has been done. Thus indeed, the bhikkhuni Sumedhā spoke these verses. The Apadāna of the Elder Sumedhā, first. 2. The Apadāna of the Elder Mekhaladāyikā 20. Of the Blessed One Siddhattha, I was one who caused a stupa to be built; A girdle was given by me, for the new work of the Teacher. 21. And when the great stupa was finished, I gave a girdle again; To the Sage, the Lord of the World, with my own hands, with faith. 22. In the ninety-fourth eon, when I gave that girdle then; I do not know a bad destination, this is the fruit of building the stupa. 23. My defilements are burnt... ...I dwell without taints. 24. Indeed, it was a good coming for me... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done. 25. The four analytical knowledges... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done. Thus indeed, the bhikkhuni Mekhaladāyikā spoke these verses. The Apadāna of the Elder Mekhaladāyikā, second. 3. The Apadāna of the Elder Maṇḍapadāyikā 26. For the Buddha Koṇāgamana, a pavilion was caused to be built by me; I constantly gave the three robes, to the Buddha, the kinsman of the world. 27. Whichever country I go to, villages, royal capitals; The Apadāna of Maṇḍapadāyikā Theri, the third. I am honored everywhere, this is the fruit of meritorious deeds. 28. "My defilements are burnt away... ...I dwell without taints." 29. "Welcome indeed it was for me... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." 30. "The four analytical knowledges... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." Thus indeed, the bhikkhunī Maṇḍapadāyikā spoke these verses. 4. The Apadāna of Saṅkamanatthā Theri 31. Of the Blessed Vipassī, the world's eldest, the steadfast one; who was walking on the road, saving living beings. 32. Having come out from my house, I lay down prostrate; The compassionate Lord of the world, stepped on my head. 33. Having stepped on my head, the leader of the world went on; By that clarity of mind, I went to Tusita. 34. "My defilements are burnt away... ...I dwell without taints." 35. "Welcome indeed it was for me... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." 36. "The four analytical knowledges... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." Thus indeed, the bhikkhunī Saṅkamanatthā spoke these verses. The Apadāna of Saṅkamanatthā Theri, the fourth. 5. The Apadāna of Naḷamālikā Theri 37. On the bank of the Candabhāgā river, I was a kinnarī then; I saw the stainless Buddha, the Self-Awakened, the unconquered. 38. With a serene mind, joyful, filled with rapture, with joined palms; Taking a reed garland, I worshipped the Self-Awakened One. 39. By that well-done deed, and by my aspirations; Having abandoned the kinnarī body, I went to the realm of the thirty-three (gods). 40. Of thirty-six kings of devas, I was the chief queen; Of ten universal monarchs, I was the chief queen; Having stirred my mind, I went forth into homelessness. 41. "My defilements are burnt away, all existences are uprooted..." All defilements are destroyed, there is no more rebirth now. 42. Forty-nine aeons ago, when I offered flowers; I do not know a bad destination, this is the fruit of that flower offering. 43. My defilements are burnt away, the root of existence is pulled up; I dwell without defilements. 44. Welcome indeed it was for me, in the presence of the Best of Buddhas; The three knowledges are attained, the Buddha's teaching is done. 45. The four analytical knowledges, and these eight liberations; The six direct knowledges are realized, the Buddha's teaching is done. Thus indeed, the elder Naḷamālikā spoke these verses. 46. In the city of Bandhumatī, there was a khattiya named Bandhumā; I was the wife of that king, we lived together. 47. Sitting in solitude, I thought thus then; 'Indeed, what is to be taken along, no good deed have I done. 48. 'Great suffering, bitter, terrible in form, extremely dreadful; Surely I will go to hell, in this there is no doubt for me.' 49. Approaching the king, I spoke this word; 'Give me one recluse, I will feed him, O Khattiya.' 50. The great king gave me, a recluse with developed faculties; Taking his bowl, I filled it with choice food. 51. Having filled it with choice food, I applied fragrant paste; Having covered it with a net, I covered it with a pair of cloths. 52. This was my object of mindfulness, I remember it throughout my life; Having gladdened my mind there, I went to Tāvatiṃsa. 53. Of thirty kings of devas, I became the chief queen; What was wished for by my mind, came into being as desired. 54. Of twenty wheel-turning monarchs, I became the chief queen; Having accumulated merit, I wandered through existences. 55. I am freed from all bonds, my attachments are gone; All defilements are destroyed, there is no more rebirth now. In the ninety-first eon, the gift I gave then; I know no suffering, this is the fruit of the alms-bowl. 57. "My defilements are burnt... ...I dwell without taints." 58. "Welcome indeed it was for me... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." 59. "The four analytical knowledges... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." Thus indeed, the bhikkhuni who gave one alms-bowl spoke these verses. The Sixth Apadāna of the Theri Who Gave One Alms-bowl. 7. The Apadāna of the Theri Who Gave a Ladleful of Alms 60. "As the Teacher named Tissa was going for alms; I offered a ladleful of alms, to the Supreme Buddha. 61. Having received it, the Fully Awakened One, Tissa, the world's foremost leader; The Teacher, standing on the path, gave me his blessing. 62. "'Having given a ladleful of alms, you will go to Tāvatiṃsa; You will be the chief queen of thirty-six kings of devas. 63. You will be the chief queen of fifty wheel-turning monarchs; All that is wished for by mind, you will always attain. 64. Having experienced prosperity, you will go forth, without possessions; Having fully known all taints, you will attain Nibbāna, taintless.'" 65. Having said this, the Fully Awakened One, Tissa, the world's foremost leader; The hero ascended into the sky, like a king of swans in the air. 66. "My excellent gift was well given, my offering was well made; Having given a ladleful of alms, I have attained the unmoving state. 67. From this, in the ninety-second eon, the gift I gave then; I know no suffering, this is the fruit of the alms-giving. 68. "My defilements are burnt... ...I dwell without taints." 69. "Welcome indeed it was for me... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." 70. "The four analytical knowledges... ...the Buddha's teaching has been done." Thus indeed, the bhikkhuni who gave a ladleful of alms spoke these verses. The Seventh Apadāna of the Theri Who Gave a Ladleful of Alms. 8. The Apadāna of the Theri Who Gave a Garland of Seven Lotuses 71. "In the city of Aruṇavatī, ar named Uṇo. I was the wife of that king, I guarded what was to be guarded. 72. Taking seven lotuses, divine-scented water lilies, Sitting in the excellent palace, I thought thus at that moment. 73. ‘What are these garlands to me, placed upon my head? Better for me is that placed upon the knowledge of the Best of Buddhas.’ 74. Awaiting the Fully Awakened One, I sat near the door; ‘When the Fully Awakened One comes, I will honor the Great Sage.’ 75. The Kakudha tree shining, like a lion, king of beasts, Accompanied by the Sangha of monks, the Conqueror came along the street. 76. Seeing the Buddha's radiance, delighted, with a mind stirred, Opening the door,