Tiṁsamattātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 5.11

Verses of the Senior Nuns 5.11

Pañcakanipāta

The Book of the Fives

Tiṁsamattātherīgāthā

Thirty Nuns

“Musalāni gahetvāna,

“Taking a pestle,

dhaññaṁ koṭṭenti māṇavā;

young men pound grain.

Puttadārāni posentā,

Providing for partners and children,

dhanaṁ vindanti māṇavā.

young men acquire wealth.

Karotha buddhasāsanaṁ,

Do the Buddha’s bidding,

yaṁ katvā nānutappati;

you won’t regret it.

Khippaṁ pādāni dhovitvā,

Having quickly washed your feet,

ekamante nisīdatha;

sit in a discreet place to meditate.

Cetosamathamanuyuttā,

Devoted to serenity of heart,

karotha buddhasāsanaṁ”.

do the Buddha’s bidding.”

Tassā tā vacanaṁ sutvā,

After hearing her words,

paṭācārāya sāsanaṁ;

the instructions of Paṭācārā,

Pāde pakkhālayitvāna,

they washed their feet

ekamantaṁ upāvisuṁ;

and retired to a discreet place.

Cetosamathamanuyuttā,

Devoted to serenity of heart,

akaṁsu buddhasāsanaṁ.

they did the Buddha’s bidding.

Rattiyā purime yāme,

In the first watch of the night,

pubbajātimanussaruṁ;

they recollected their past lives.

Rattiyā majjhime yāme,

In the middle watch of the night,

dibbacakkhuṁ visodhayuṁ;

they purified their clairvoyance.

Rattiyā pacchime yāme,

In the last watch of the night,

tamokhandhaṁ padālayuṁ.

they shattered the mass of darkness.

Uṭṭhāya pāde vandiṁsu,

They rose and paid homage at her feet:

“katā te anusāsanī;

“We have done your bidding;

Indaṁva devā tidasā,

we shall abide honoring you,

saṅgāme aparājitaṁ;

as the Thirty gods honor Indra,

Purakkhatvā vihassāma,

undefeated in battle.

tevijjāmha anāsavā”ti.

Masters of the three knowledges,
we are free of defilements.”

Itthaṁ sudaṁ tiṁsamattā therī bhikkhuniyo paṭācārāya santike aññaṁ byākariṁsūti.

That is how thirty senior nuns declared their enlightenment in the presence of Paṭācārā.