Āḷavikā
Translation of BZA 214. First version published in Buddhist Studies
Review vol. 23-1 (2006).
Thus have I heard, once, the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī at the Jeta Grove in
the Anāthapiṇḍika Park.
At that time there was a nun called Āḷavikā. One early morning she took her robes
and her begging bowl and entered the town to beg for food. Having finished her
meal, she cleaned her bowl, and decided to enter the Andhavana forest [to
meditate].
At that time King Māra the Bad thought: “Gotamo the renunciant is now staying at
Sāvatthī in the Andhavana forest. His disciple the nun Āḷavikā entered the town
[Sāvatthī] to beg for food. Having finished her meal and cleaned her bowl, she
has gathered her seat and wants to enter this forest. I shall disturb her!”
Thereupon the Bad One turned into a young man, standing at the wayside he asked
Āḷavikā: “Where are you going?” The nun answered: “I am going to a secluded
place.” On hearing this the young man spoke a verse:
In all the worlds // there is no liberation
You are going to a secluded, quiet place // for what
You are still young and pretty // if you won’t enjoy the five sensual
pleasures [now]
One day you will be old and weak // don’t have regrets later
There the nun thought: “Who is this, who wants to disturb me? What a cheat ! Is
he a human or a non-human being?” Having thought this, she entered concentration
and, using her insight, she recognized that it was the Bad One who tried to
disturb her. She spoke a verse:
There is liberation in the world // I know this through experience
You, Bad One, ignorant and shallow // do not know its traces
Pleasure is like a sharp halberd, slashing // the aggregates are bandits,
running after you knife in hand
You talk of enjoying the five sensual pleasures // but the suffering [caused
by] pleasure is to be feared
Pleasure causes sadness and troubles, // pleasure causes longing.
Pleasure causes hundredfold suffering, // pleasure is the root of all
suffering.
[I have] cut off all craving // the darkness of ignorance destroyed
Having reached and witnessed complete cessation // [I] dwell in a state of
purity
At that time the Bad One thought: “The nun Āḷavikā knows my mind well!” Vexed,
dispirited, and ashamed he returned to his palace.
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