thig.6.4 Therigatha

The Verses of Final Knowledge of Bhikkhuni Sujata

With subtle veils adorned,
Garlands and sandal-wood bedecked,
Covered all over with ornaments,
Surrounded by my servants,

Taking with us food and drink,
Eatables of many kinds,
Setting off from the house,
To the forest grove we took it all.

Having enjoyed and sported there,
We turned our feet to home
But on the way I saw and entered
Near Saketa, a monastery.

Seeing the Light of the World
I drew near, bowed down to Him;
Out of compassion the Seeing One
Then taught me Dhamma there.

Hearing the words of the Great Sage,
I penetrated Truth:
The Dhamma passionless,
I touched the Dhamma of Deathlessness.

When the True Dhamma had been known,
I went forth to the homeless life;
The three True Knowledges are attained,
Not empty the Buddha's Teaching!

- Translator: Dr. Hellmuth Hecker, Ayya Khema

- Editor: Ayya Kathrin Vimalañāṇī

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Sujātā

I was adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,
with garlands, and sandalwood makeup piled on,
all covered over with decorations,
and surrounded by my maids.
Taking food and drink,
staples and dainties in no small amount,
I left my house
and took myself to the park.
I enjoyed myself there and played about,
and then, returning to my own house,
I saw a monastic dwelling,
and so I entered the Añjana grove at Sāketa.
Seeing the light of the world,
I paid homage and sat down.
Out of compassion
the seer taught me the Dhamma.
When I heard the great hermit,
I penetrated the truth.
Right there I encountered the Dhamma,
the stainless, deathless state.
Then, having understood the true teaching,
I went forth to homelessness.
I’ve attained the three knowledges;
the Buddha’s bidding was not in vain.