Uppalavaṇṇā
Translation of BZA 217. 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 one morning the nun Uppalavaṇṇā took her robes and her begging bowl
and entered the town [Sāvatthī] to beg for food. Having finished her meal, she
cleaned her bowl, gathered her seat [for meditation]. Having washed her feet,
she went to the Andhavana forest, and sat uprightly under a tree, abiding in
[jhāna] meditation.
At that time King Māra thought: “The renunciant Gotama is staying at Sāvatthī at
the Jeta Grove in the Anāthapiṇḍika Park. The nun Uppalavaṇṇā took her robes and
her begging bowl and entered the town [Sāvatthī] to beg for food. Having
finished her meal, she cleaned her bowl, gathered her seat, and went to the
Andhavana forest. She is sitting uprightly under a tree, abiding in [jhāna]
meditation. I shall disturb her!”
Having thought thus he changed into a young man, went to her place and spoke this
verse:
Sitting under a Sāla tree // beautiful like its blossoms
All alone bhikkhunī, // is it that you are you meditating?
Without a companion // aren’t you afraid of the ignorant?
At that time Uppalavaṇṇā thought: “Who is this who wants to disturb me? What a
cheat! Is he a human or a non-human being?” She entered concentration and
recognized that it was the Bad One. She spoke a verse:
A hundred thousand lustrous bogus rogues // could all do just as much as you
They could not move me even an inch // therefore I stay alone and
unafraid
At that time King Māra again spoke a verse:
I might hide myself // within your belly
Between your brows // unseen by you
And the nun again replied with a verse:
My mind has attained self-mastery // I have well practiced the concentration
that gives super-natural powers
Having cut off the great bondages // I will never be frightened by you
I have cast aside all fetters // have pulled out the root of the three taints
[of desire, hate and ignorance]
The roots of fear thus gone // I am not afraid
I abide here // have no fear of you
Bring on your armies all // I shall not be afraid
[I have] cut off all craving // the darkness of ignorance destroyed
Having reached complete cessation // [I] peacefully dwell in a state of
purity
Therefore understand // Bad One you are defeated
At that time the Bad One thought: “The nun Uppalavaṇṇā understands my mind well!”
Depressed, dispirited, and ashamed he returned to his palace.
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