buddha daily wisdom image

thi-ap.8 Therī Apadana

Sattuppalamālikāya

In Aruṇavatī City,
lived a king named Aruṇavā.
I was then the wife of that king,
sent out by him on a journey.

Having taken seven flowers,
divinely perfumed blue lotus,
lying down in that fine palace,
I reflected in this way then:

“What use are these flowers to me,
planted on the top of my head?
They’ll be better for me offered
to the Best Buddha’s great knowledge.

They’re honoring the Sambuddha;
Sitting near the palace doorway,
when the Sambuddha arrives here,
I too will worship the Great Sage.”

Splendid like an arjuna tree,
like a lion, the king of beasts,
along with the monks’ Assembly,
the Victor then came on the road.

After seeing the Buddha’s rays,
happy, with a mind that was moved,
having opened up the door, I
then worshipped the Best of Buddhas.

I scattered up in the sky there
those seven blue lotus flowers.
Then covering the Buddha’s head,
they were held up there in the sky.

Thrilled at heart, with a happy mind,
awe-struck, with hands pressed together,
bringing pleasure to my heart there,
I went to Tāvatiṁsa then.

Blue lotus-flower canopies
are carried on top of my head.
I then exude divine perfumes:
the fruit of seven lotuses.

Whenever I am sent somewhere
with my assembly of kinsfolk,
blue lotuses are carried then
over my entire retinue.

I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of seventy kings of the gods.
Everywhere a female ruler,
I transmigrated birth to birth.

I was fixed in the chief queen’s place
of sixty-three wheel-turning kings.
They all conform to my wishes;
I’m one whose words are listened to.

My color and exuded scent
are those of blue lotus flowers;
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

Skillful in the superpowers,
fond of wisdom’s parts as focus,
special knowledges perfected:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

Skilled in retaining mindfulness,
pastured in calm-meditation,
undertaking fit exertion:
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

My effort bearing the burden
brought me release from attachments;
defilements are all destroyed,
now there will be no more rebirth.

In the thirty-one aeons since
I worshipped him with that flower,
I’ve come to know no bad rebirth;
that’s the fruit of Buddha-pūjā.

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 Bhikkhunī Sattuppalamālikāya spoke these verses.

The legend of Sattuppalamālikāya Therī is finished.

- Translator: Jonathan S. Walters

- Editor: Ayya Vimala