Great Nun Disciples of the Buddha | Therigatha | Verses of senior Nuns | Early Buddhism
Channel: Dhamma Talks at Dhammagiri
Date: 2024-01-21

After the Buddha's awakening also many women from the Sakyan clan were inspired to leave their household life behind and become nuns, including the foster mother of the Buddha, Queen Mahā Pajāpati, the former wife of the Bodhisatta, Yasodhāra and the Buddha's half-sister, Nandā.

This Video gives an overview of the great awakened nun disciples of the Buddha and the collection of ther Verses of the senior nuns in the Sutta Pitaka (Therigātha) - the oldest record of women talking about their own spiritual practice.

An anthology of the verses of senior monks and nuns by Ajahn Thanissaro can be found here:
https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/#TheragathaTherigatha

Candā, the Beggar  —  Exhorted by Nun Pāṭācārā, a poor woman without family and friends gains awakening:

"Before, I had fallen on evil times:
no husband, no children,
no relatives, friends,
no way to obtain clothing & food.

So, taking a staff & bowl in hand,
begging for alms from house to house,
feverish from the cold & heat,
I wandered for seven full years.

Then seeing a nun
obtaining food & drink,
I approached her & said:
“Let me go forth
into homelessness.”

She, Paṭācārā, from sympathy,
let me go forth;
then, exhorting me,
urged me on to the highest goal.

Hearing her words,
I did her bidding.
Her exhortation was not in vain.
Endowed with the three knowledges,
I’m free from taints."


Anopamā, the Millionaire’s Daughter  —  A woman sought after by many potential husbands seeks and finds the Dhamma instead:

"Born in a high-ranking family
with much property, great wealth,
consummate in complexion & figure,
I was the daughter of Majjha, the treasurer.

Kings’ sons sought for me,
rich merchants’ sons
longed for me.
One of them sent my father a messenger,
saying, “Give me Anopamā.
I will give in return
eight times her weight
in jewels & gold.”

But I, having seen
the One Self-awakened,
unsurpassed, excelling the world,
paid homage to his feet,
sat down to one side.

He, Gotama, from sympathy,
taught me the Dhamma.
And as I sat in that very seat,
I attained the third fruit
[of non-return.]

Then I cut off my hair,
and went forth into homelessness.
Today is the seventh day
since I made craving
wither away."


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