Sundarasamudda (THAG7.1)

Verses of the Senior Monks 7.1

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter One

Sundarasamudda

Adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,

with her garland and her makeup on,

and her feet so brightly rouged:

the courtesan was wearing slippers.

Taking off her slippers in front of me,

her palms joined in greeting,

smiling, she spoke to me

so softly and so sweet:

“You’re too young to go forth—

come, stay in my teaching!

Enjoy human sensual pleasures,

I’ll give you riches.

I promise this is the truth—

I swear it by the Sacred Flame.

And when we’ve grown old together,

both of us leaning on staffs,

we shall both go forth,

and hold a winning hand on both counts.”

I saw the courtesan seducing me,

her palms joined in greeting,

adorned with jewelry and all dressed up,

set up like a snare of death.

Then the realization

came upon me—

the danger became clear

and I grew firmly disillusioned.

Then my mind was freed—

see the excellence of the Dhamma!

I’ve attained the three knowledges,

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.