Upacālātherīgāthā

Therīgāthā 7.3

Verses of the Senior Nuns 7.3

Sattakanipāta

The Book of the Sevens

Upacālātherīgāthā

Upacālā

“Satimatī cakkhumatī,

“A nun with faculties developed,

bhikkhunī bhāvitindriyā;

mindful, seeing clearly,

Paṭivijjhi padaṁ santaṁ,

I penetrated that peaceful state,

akāpurisasevitaṁ”.

which reprobates do not cultivate.”

“Kiṁ nu jātiṁ na rocesi,

“Why don’t you approve of rebirth?

jāto kāmāni bhuñjati;

When you’re born, you get to enjoy sensual pleasures.

Bhuñjāhi kāmaratiyo,

Enjoy erotic delights;

māhu pacchānutāpinī”.

don’t regret it later.”

“Jātassa maraṇaṁ hoti,

“Death comes to those who are born;

hatthapādāna chedanaṁ;

and when born they fall into suffering:

Vadhabandhapariklesaṁ,

the chopping off of hands and feet,

jāto dukkhaṁ nigacchati.

killing, caging, misery.

Atthi sakyakule jāto,

But there is one born in the Sakyan clan,

sambuddho aparājito;

awakened and undefeated.

So me dhammamadesesi,

He taught me the Dhamma

jātiyā samatikkamaṁ.

for transcending rebirth:

Dukkhaṁ dukkhasamuppādaṁ,

suffering, suffering’s origin,

dukkhassa ca atikkamaṁ;

suffering’s transcendence,

Ariyaṁ caṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ,

and the noble eightfold path

dukkhūpasamagāminaṁ.

that leads to the stilling of suffering.

Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,

After hearing his words,

vihariṁ sāsane ratā;

I happily did his bidding.

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,

I’ve attained the three knowledges

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Sabbattha vihatā nandī,

Relishing is banished in every respect,

tamokhandho padālito;

and the mass of darkness is shattered.

Evaṁ jānāhi pāpima,

So know this, Wicked One:

nihato tvamasi antaka”.

you’re beaten, terminator!”

… Upacālā therī ….

Sattakanipāto niṭṭhito.