03.03 Another Uttamā Therī

This translation has been made available on Shambhala Publications book page.

KR Norman

KR Norman is one of the foremost modern Pali scholars and translators. His style is to be as precise and literal as possible, avoiding interpretations.

Norman

42. Four or five times I went out from my cell, not having obtained peace of mind, my mind being unsubmissive.

43. I went up to a bhikkhunī who was fit to be trusted by me. She taught me the doctrine, the elements of existence, the sense-bases, and the elements.

44. I heard the doctrine from her as she instructed me; for seven days I sat in one and the same cross-legged position, consigned to joy and happiness. On the eighth day I stretched forth my feet, having torn asunder the mass of darkness [of ignorance].

Weingast

For years I couldn’t sleep.

Most nights I’d throw off the covers

and take long runs through the dark.

Nothing helped.

My sisters.

When sleepless nights come

to tear you into little pieces,

rise to meet the day

as a tree rises to meet the axe—

as a scalp bows to meet the blade—

as sparks from a dying fire

reach out to meet the darkness—

as all of our bones

someday fall softly down

to meet earth.

When you stand,

send your roots down between the stones.

When you walk,

walk like a skeleton walking to its grave.

When you lie down,

lie down like a blown-out candle

being put back in a drawer.

When you sit,

sit very

very

still.

My sisters, sit like you are dead already.

How could this world possibly

give you what you’re looking for

when it’s so busy

falling apart—

just

like

you?

Look closely.

Don’t move until you see it.

Bhikkhu Sujato & Jessica Walton

Available for free on SuttaCentral.net.

Sujato/Walton

Of the seven awakening factors,
the path for attaining extinguishment,
I have developed them all,
just as the Buddha taught.

I attain the meditations on emptiness
and signlessness whenever I want.
I am the Buddha’s rightful daughter,
always delighting in quenching.

All sensual pleasures are cut off,
whether human or divine.
Transmigration through births is finished,
now there are no more future lives.

Weingast

For years I couldn’t sleep.

Most nights I’d throw off the covers

and take long runs through the dark.

Nothing helped.

My sisters.

When sleepless nights come

to tear you into little pieces,

rise to meet the day

as a tree rises to meet the axe—

as a scalp bows to meet the blade—

as sparks from a dying fire

reach out to meet the darkness—

as all of our bones

someday fall softly down

to meet earth.

When you stand,

send your roots down between the stones.

When you walk,

walk like a skeleton walking to its grave.

When you lie down,

lie down like a blown-out candle

being put back in a drawer.

When you sit,

sit very

very

still.

My sisters, sit like you are dead already.

How could this world possibly

give you what you’re looking for

when it’s so busy

falling apart—

just

like

you?

Look closely.

Don’t move until you see it.

Ven. K Gnanananda Thero

The translations by Ven. K. Gnanananda are somewhat more explanatory and simplified than others. They are a good example of a faithful but non-literal translation.

Ve. Gnanananda

45. The seven aids for enlightenment were taught by the Buddha. I have developed all of them.

46. I developed the attainment of emptiness and the attainment of signlessness as I wished. Now I am a true daughter of the Buddha, born from the Blessed One’s heart. I always live delighting in Nibbāna.

47. All divine and human sensual pleasures have been completely cut off. Journeying on from birth to birth has been completely ended. There is no existence for me anymore.

Weingast

For years I couldn’t sleep.

Most nights I’d throw off the covers

and take long runs through the dark.

Nothing helped.

My sisters.

When sleepless nights come

to tear you into little pieces,

rise to meet the day

as a tree rises to meet the axe—

as a scalp bows to meet the blade—

as sparks from a dying fire

reach out to meet the darkness—

as all of our bones

someday fall softly down

to meet earth.

When you stand,

send your roots down between the stones.

When you walk,

walk like a skeleton walking to its grave.

When you lie down,

lie down like a blown-out candle

being put back in a drawer.

When you sit,

sit very

very

still.

My sisters, sit like you are dead already.

How could this world possibly

give you what you’re looking for

when it’s so busy

falling apart—

just

like

you?

Look closely.

Don’t move until you see it.

C.R. Davids & Commentary

Published in 1909, the translation by Caroline Rhys Davids was an attempt to render the verses in the Early Modern English that we associate with the King James Version. She also translated the background story for each nun. This is an example of a more creative translation that does not change the doctrine, although it uses very outdated and somewhat Christianized terms.

From the Commentary: She, too, having made her resolve under former Buddhas, and heaping up good of age-enduring efficacy in this and that rebirth, was born, in the time of Vipassi Buddha, as a domestic servant, at Bandhumatī. One day, seeing an Arahant of the Master’s Order seeking alms, she gladly offered him three sweet cakes. Through this reborn to happiness, she finally came to birth, in this Buddha-era, in the family of an eminent brahmin in the country of Kosala. Come to years of discretion, she heard the Master preach while touring in the country, and leaving the world, she soon won Arahantship, together with thorough grasp of the Norm in form and in meaning. And reflecting thereon, she exulted thus:

Davids

The Seven Factors of the Awakened mind–
Seven Ways whereby we may Nibbana win–
All, all have I developed and made ripe,
Even according to the Buddha’s word. (45)
Fulfilled is heart’s desire: I win the Void,
I win the Signless!
Buddha’s daughter I,
Born of his mouth, his blessed word, I stand,
Transported with Nibbana’s bliss alway. (46)
And all the sense-desires that fetter gods,
That hinder men, are wholly riven off.
Abolished is the infinite round of births.
Becoming cometh ne’er again for me. (47)

Weingast

For years I couldn’t sleep.

Most nights I’d throw off the covers

and take long runs through the dark.

Nothing helped.

My sisters.

When sleepless nights come

to tear you into little pieces,

rise to meet the day

as a tree rises to meet the axe—

as a scalp bows to meet the blade—

as sparks from a dying fire

reach out to meet the darkness—

as all of our bones

someday fall softly down

to meet earth.

When you stand,

send your roots down between the stones.

When you walk,

walk like a skeleton walking to its grave.

When you lie down,

lie down like a blown-out candle

being put back in a drawer.

When you sit,

sit very

very

still.

My sisters, sit like you are dead already.

How could this world possibly

give you what you’re looking for

when it’s so busy

falling apart—

just

like

you?

Look closely.

Don’t move until you see it.

Pali

Pali text from the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka Buddhavasse 2500: World Tipiṭaka Edition in Roman Script.

You can also explore the Pali of this verse by using the DigitalPaliReader.online to give you word definitions by clicking on individual words.

Pali

“Ye ime satta bojjhaṅgā,
maggā nibbānapattiyā;
Bhāvitā te mayā sabbe,
yathā buddhena desitā.

Suññatassānimittassa,
lābhinīhaṃ yadicchakaṃ;
Orasā dhītā buddhassa,
nibbānābhiratā sadā.

Sabbe kāmā samucchinnā,
ye dibbā ye ca mānusā;
Vikkhīṇo jātisaṃsāro,
natthi dāni punabbhavo”ti.

Weingast

For years I couldn’t sleep.

Most nights I’d throw off the covers

and take long runs through the dark.

Nothing helped.

My sisters.

When sleepless nights come

to tear you into little pieces,

rise to meet the day

as a tree rises to meet the axe—

as a scalp bows to meet the blade—

as sparks from a dying fire

reach out to meet the darkness—

as all of our bones

someday fall softly down

to meet earth.

When you stand,

send your roots down between the stones.

When you walk,

walk like a skeleton walking to its grave.

When you lie down,

lie down like a blown-out candle

being put back in a drawer.

When you sit,

sit very

very

still.

My sisters, sit like you are dead already.

How could this world possibly

give you what you’re looking for

when it’s so busy

falling apart—

just

like

you?

Look closely.

Don’t move until you see it.

Sources

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