Ninety-one aeons ago the
Leader, whose name was Vipassi,
arose, the One Good to Look At,
the One with Eyes for Everything.I was then in Bandhumatī,
born in an undistinguished clan.
Having heard the Sage’s Teaching,
I went forth into homelessness.Learned bearer of the Teaching,
good preacher, varied discourser,
I was a nun who practiced the
dispensation of the Buddha.Then giving many Dhamma-talks
with friendship to the populace,
fallen from there I was reborn,
full of splendor, in Tusitā.Thirty-one aeons hence, Sikhi,
a Heap of Fire, burning with fame,
the Victor, the Best Debater,
the Buddha, arose in the world.At that very time going forth,
skilled in Buddha’s dispensation,
making the Victor’s sayings shine,
I then went to the thirty gods.The Leader named Vessabhu, too,
arose thirty-one aeons hence.
And then as well I was the same:
a Buddhist nun with vast knowledge.Gone forth, a Dhamma-bearer, I
made Buddha’s dispensation shine.
Gone to the lovely gods’ city,
I experienced great comfort.In this present lucky aeon,
Kakusandha, Supreme Victor,
arose, the Excellent Leopard,
and then as well I was the same.Gone forth, I illuminated
the Sage’s thought, as long as life.
Fallen from there, I went as far
as the sphere of the thirty gods.And in this very same aeon
the Leader Konāgamana
arose next, the Excellent Lamp,
Ultimate among all beings.At that time too, going forth in
the Neutral One’s dispensation,
learned bearer of Dhamma, I
made Buddha’s dispensation shine.Also in this lucky aeon
Kassapa Buddha, Seventh Sage,
arose, the Refuge of the World,
Non-Hostile One, Ender of Death.Gone forth in the dispensation
of that Hero Among Men as well,
I learned the good Teaching by heart,
was confident in inquiry,very moral, also modest,
very skilled in the three trainings,
giving many talks on Dhamma
with friendship as long as I lived.Due to that karma done very well,
with intention and firm resolve,
discarding my human body,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.And now, in my final rebirth,
in Giribbaja, best city,
I was born to rich millionaires,
with a huge quantity of gems.When Gotama, the World’s Leader,
surrounded by one thousand monks,
entered the city, Rajgir, he
was praised by the thousand-eyed god:“The Restrained One, with former ascetics restrained;
the Liberated One, with those liberated;
who had the same color as a coin made of gold,
the Blessed One entered Rajagaha city.”Seeing the Buddha’s majesty,
and hearing him, Heap of Virtues,
pleasing my heart in the Buddha,
I worshipped him with all my strength.At some moment after that, in
the presence of Dhammadinnā,
having gone forth from my own home,
I went forth into homelessness.I destroyed all the defilements
while my hair was being cut off.
Going forth, in no long time, I learned
Buddha’s entire dispensation.After that I preached the Dhamma
in a huge gathering of folks.
While Dhamma was being preached, there
was insight into the Teaching.Seeing varied thousands of folks
achieving insight, astonished,
a spirit, very pleased by me,
roaming about Rajgir said this:“Why are these people in Rajgir
acting like nymphs drunk on honey,
unless they’re honoring Sukkā,
who’s preaching the ambrosial state?Methinks the wise are drinking that
irresistible and unmixed
strength-bestower, like travelers
drink rainwater from a raincloud.”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 Sukkā spoke these verses.
The legend of Sukkā Therī is finished