English
The Warrior Chapter 1. The Apadāna of Yasavatī and Eighteen Thousand Bhikkhunis 1. All existences are exhausted, from existences we are freed; All defilements are no more for us, we declare, Great Sage. 2. Former wholesome deeds, whatever was well-wished; Given for enjoyment, for your sake, Great Sage. 3. For Buddhas, Paccekabuddhas, and for disciples, it was wished; Given for enjoyment, for your sake, Great Sage. 4. Deeds of high and low, for monks, well-wished; Preparations for high birth, these were done, Great Sage. 5. By that root of merit, urged by the perfection of kamma; Transcending human [birth], they were born in a warrior clan. 6. When deeds were done, or born together in one birth; Later born together, of warrior lineage. 7. Possessing beauty, possessing wealth, honored with gains and respect; In the royal palace, Great Hero, like the gods in Nandana. 8. Disgusted with household life, we went forth into homelessness; After a few days, all of us attained Nibbāna. 9. Robes and almsfood, requisites, beds, and seats; Many offer to us, always honored and revered. 10. Our defilements are burnt, all existences are uprooted; Like a great elephant breaking its bonds, we dwell without defilements. 11. Welcome indeed it was for us, in the presence of my Buddha; The three knowledges are attained, the Buddha's teaching is done. 12. The four analytical knowledges, and these eight liberations; The six supernormal powers realized, the Buddha's teaching is done. Thus indeed, Yasavatī and eighteen thousand other warrior-maiden bhikkhunis spoke these verses in the presence of the Blessed One. The first Apadāna of Yasavatī and eighteen thousand bhikkhunis. 2. The Apadāna of Eighty-Four Thousand Bhikkhunis 13. Eighty-four thousand, born of brahmin families. With delicate hands and feet, before you, Great Sage. 14. Born in the Vessa and Sudda families, devas, nāgas, and kinnaras; Many maidens from the four continents, before you, Great Sage. 15. Some are renunciants, all-seeing ones; Devas, kinnaras, and nāgas, will realize in the future. 16. Having experienced all glory, having attained all prosperity; Having received your grace, they will awaken in the future. 17. We are daughters of brahmins, born in brahmin families; Looking at us, Great Hero, we worship the feet of the Seer. 18. All existences are destroyed, the root of craving is uprooted; Latent defilements are cut off, shattered by meritorious formations. 19. All are within the range of concentration, mastered in attainments; By jhana and delight in the Dhamma, we shall always dwell. 20. The guide to existence, ignorance, and formations are also exhausted; Having gone to the very difficult to see state, allow us, Leader. 21. You have been helpful to me, having acted for a long time; Having cut off the doubt of the four, may all go to Nibbana. 22. Having worshipped the Sage's feet, having performed psychic transformations; Some show light, others darkness. 23. They show the moon and sun, and the ocean with its fish; Mount Sineru and its surroundings, they show the Pāricchattaka tree. 24. And the Tāvatiṃsa realm, they show the Yāma realm by psychic power; The Tusita, the Nimmānarati devas, the Vasavatti, the Great Lords. 25. Some show the Brahmas, and a magnificent walking path; Having created a Brahma-like appearance, they teach the Dhamma of emptiness. 26. Having performed various transformations, having shown psychic power to the Teacher; All showed their strength, they worshipped the Teacher's feet. 27. And we are masters of psychic powers, of the divine ear element; Of the knowledge of penetrating others' minds, we are masters, Great Sage. 28. We know past existences, the divine eye is purified. All defilements are destroyed, there is no more rebirth now. In meaning, Dhamma, and language, and likewise in ready wit; Our knowledge, Great Hero, has arisen in your presence. Of the former World-Protectors, our meeting was shown; Much service was ours, for your sake, Great Sage. The wholesome deeds we have done, remember them, Sage; For your sake, Great Hero, our merits were accumulated. A hundred thousand aeons ago, the Great Sage Padumuttara; The city named Haṃsavatī, was the abode of the Fully Awakened One's family. By the gate of Haṃsavatī, the Ganges always flows; The bhikkhus, carried away by the river, could not cross. For two or three days, then a week, then a month; Even for four full months, they could not cross. At that time there was Sattasāra, a countryman named Jaṭila; Seeing the bhikkhus held back, he built a bridge over the Ganges. Then with hundreds of thousands, he built a bridge over the Ganges; On the near bank for the Saṅgha, he also built a monastery. Women and men, and those of high and low families; For his bridge and monastery, they made equal contributions. We and other people, with clear minds; Were heirs to his Dhamma, in the city and in the countryside. Women, men, and boys, and many girls; For the bridge and the monastery, they scattered sand. Having swept the path, with plantain trees, full pots, and banners; Incense, powder, and garlands, having made offerings to the Teacher. Having built the bridge and monastery, having invited the Leader; Having given a great offering, they aspired to full enlightenment. Padumuttara, the Great Hero, the savior of all beings; Gave his approval, to Jaṭila, the Great Sage. ‘After a hundred thousand (aeons) have passed, there will be a fortunate aeon; Having experienced existence after existence, you will attain will attain enlightenment. 44. “‘Some women and men, who have done hand-service, in the future time, all will be face to face (with the Buddha).’ 45. “By the ripening of that karma, and by those aspirations, they were born in the deva realm, as your attendants. 46. “Immeasurable divine happiness, and immeasurable human happiness; we attend to you, we have wandered through existences. 47. “A hundred thousand aeons ago, the well-done accomplishment of karma; we were delicate among humans, and then in the excellent deva city. 48. “Beauty, wealth, and fame, and also respected renown; we always obtain all, the well-done accomplishment of karma. 49. “When the last existence arrived, we were born in a brahmin family; with delicate hands and feet, in the Sakyaputta’s dwelling. 50. “Never do we see the earth, unadorned, nor do we see muddy, impure ground, O Great Sage. 51. “While we dwell in a house, constant honor, is always brought to us all, by the fruit of our former karma. 52. “Having abandoned the house, having gone forth into homelessness; we have crossed the path of transmigration, we are free from defilements. 53. “Robes, almsfood, requisites, and lodging; thousands bring to us always, from here and there. 54. “Our defilements are burnt… …we dwell without taints. 55. “Welcome indeed it was for us… …the Buddha’s teaching has been done. 56. “The four analytical knowledges… …the Buddha’s teaching has been done.” Thus indeed did the eighty-four thousand brahmin maidens who were bhikkhunis speak these verses in the presence of the Blessed One. The second Apadāna of the Eighty-four Thousand Bhikkhunis. 3. The Apadāna of Uppaladāyikātherī 57. “In the city of Aruṇavatī, there was a khattiya named Aruṇa; I was that king’s wife, we lived together. 58. “Sitting in solitude, I thus thought: I then [thought]; 'No good deed have I done, to take with me. 59. 'Great torment, bitter, terrifying, very dreadful; To hell I shall surely go, of this there is no doubt for me.' 60. Thus I, having thought, having gladdened my mind; Approaching the king, spoke these words. 61. 'We are women, O king, inferior to men; Give me one ascetic, I will feed him, O Khattiya.' 62. The king then gave me an ascetic with developed faculties; Taking his bowl, I filled it with choice food. 63. Having filled it with excellent food, along with fragrant unguent; Covering it with a great cloth, I gave it with a gladdened mind. 64. By that well-done deed, and by my aspirations; Abandoning my human body, I went to Tāvatiṃsa. 65. Of a thousand kings of devas, I became chief queen; Of a thousand wheel-turning monarchs, I became chief queen. 66. Wide regional rule, countless in number; Many other diverse things, were the results of that deed. 67. My complexion was like a lotus, beautiful and pleasant to behold; Endowed with all feminine perfections, noble-born, radiant. 68. When my last existence arrived, I was born in the Sākiya clan; Chief among a thousand women, for Suddhodana's son. 69. Disgusted with household life, I went forth into homelessness; On the seventh night, I attained the Four Noble Truths. 70. Robes and almsfood, requisites, lodging and seats; I cannot count them, this is the fruit of the almsfood. 71. The good deed I fulfilled, remember, O sage; For your sake, O Great Hero, much was given by me. 72. Thirty-one aeons ago from now, the gift I then gave; I know no suffering, this is the fruit of the almsfood. 73. Two destinies I know, divinity and humanity; No other I do not know my destination, This is the fruit of the alms-food. 74. I am born in a high family, Wealthy and with great riches; I am not born in another family, This is the fruit of the alms-food. 75. Having wandered through existences, Urged on by the root of merit; I do not see what is displeasing, The fruit is made of joy. 76. And I am master of psychic powers, Of the divine ear element; Of the knowledge of others' minds, I am master, Great Sage. 77. I know my past lives, The divine eye is purified; All defilements are destroyed, There is no more rebirth now. 78. In meaning, in doctrine, in language, And likewise in ready wit; My knowledge, Great Hero, Has arisen in your presence. 79. My defilements are burnt... ...I dwell without defilements. 80. Welcome indeed it was for me... ...