In Aruṇavatī City,
lived the kṣatriyan Aruṇa.
I was then the wife of that king;
in that place I was practicing.Gone off alone and sitting down,
I then reflected on it like this:
“there’s no good karma done by me
to take along on my journey.Am I not then going to hell,
burning red hot, very cruel,
with a gruesome form, and bitter?
For me there’s no doubt about that.”Having thought it through in that way.
bringing pleasure to my own mind,
after going up to the king,
I spoke these words entreating him:“O king, we who are called “women”
always follow behind our men.
Give me a single Buddhist monk;
I shall feed him, O kṣatriyan.”At that time the king gave to me
a monk with senses well-controlled.
After picking up his alms bowl,
I filled it with exquisite food.Filling it with exquisite food,
having removed a fine garment
which was valued at a thousand,
I gave it with a happy mind.Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of one thousand kings of the gods.
I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of one thousand wheel-turning kings.There was also much local rule,
innumerable by counting,
and there was much other, varied
fruit of that karma thereafter.I’m always blue lotus-colored,
very beautiful, good-looking,
a woman endowed in all parts,
of noble birth and radiant.When my last rebirth was attained
I was born in the Śākyan clan,
leader of one thousand women
attached to Suddhodana’s son.Becoming wearied in the home,
I went forth into homelessness.
Before the seventh night occurred
I attained the Four Noble Truths.I cannot count the gifts received,
monastic robes and alms to eat,
requisites as well as lodgings:
that’s the fruit of giving alms food.O Sage, recall the good karma,
which formerly was done by me;
much of mine has been sacrificed
for the sake of you, Great Hero.In the thirty-one aeons since
I gave that alms-giving back then,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of giving alms food.I transmigrate in just two states:
as a goddess or a woman.
I do not know other rebirths;
that’s the fruit of giving alms food.When human I‘m born in high clans,
which have big halls, very wealthy;
I do not witness lesser clans:
that’s the fruit of giving alms food.Transmigrating life after life,
incited by my wholesome roots,
I do not see what does not please:
fruit of deeds done with happy mind.I’ve mastered the superpowers
like the “divine ear” element.
I’m also a master, Great Sage,
of the knowledge in others’ hearts.I remember my former lives;
my “divine eye” is purified.
All the defilements are destroyed;
I will not be reborn again.In meaning and in the Teaching,
etymology and preaching,
this knowledge of mine was produced
in your presence, O Great Hero.My defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
I am living without constraint.Being in Best Buddha's presence
was a very good thing for me.
The three knowledges are attained;
I have done what the Buddha taught!The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
I have done what the Buddha taught!
Thus indeed the bhikkhunī Uppaladāyikā spoke these verses face to face with the Blessed One.
The legend of the bhikkhunī Uppaladāyikā is finished