31. Eighteen Thousand Kṣatriyan Maiden Buddhist Nuns Headed Up by Yasavatī (THI-AP31)

O Great Sage, we are announcing
“all existence has been destroyed;”
we’re freed from ties to existence
all outflows don’t exist for us.

Doing previous good karma,
whatever may have been wished for,
all of this stuff has been given
for the sake of you, O Great Sage.

The wishes of Buddhas, Lonely
Buddhas and of the followers,
all of this stuff has been given
for the sake of you, O Great Sage.

This karma, both big and little,
excellent wish of Buddhist monks,
and service to high-status clans
has been done by us, O Great Sage.

Incited by that wholesome root,
reaping the fruit of that karma,
surpassing all other humans,
we were born in kṣatriyan clans.

Always together when we’re born,
when karma is done, and by caste,
born together in this last birth,
we’re kṣatriyans, born in the clans.

In the harem, O Great Hero,
as though in the gods’ garden “Joy,”
we’re beautiful, very wealthy,
receiving honor and worship.

Becoming wearied we went forth,
from the home into homelessness.
Remaining attached a few days,
we all attained our nirvana.

People are bringing many gifts,
monastic robes and alms to eat,
requisites as well as lodgings;
we’re always honored and worshipped.

Our defilements are now burnt up;
all new existence is destroyed.
Like elephants with broken chains,
we are living without constraint.

Being in Best Buddha's presence
was a very good thing for us.
The three knowledges are attained;
we have done what the Buddha taught!

The four analytical modes,
and these eight deliverances,
six special knowledges mastered,
we have done what the Buddha taught!

Thus indeed Eighteen Thousand Kṣatriyan Maiden Buddhist Nuns Headed Up by Famous (Yasavatī) spoke these verses.

The legend of Eighteen Thousand Kṣatriyan Maiden Buddhist Nuns

Headed Up by Famous (Yasavatī) is finished

Translated by Jonathan S. Walters.

Whitman College, 2017

Legends of the Buddhist Saints (Apadāna) is released under the Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike license.

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