Verses of the Elder Soṇā (THIG5.8)

Verses of the Elder Bhikkhunīs

Chapter of the Fives

Verses of the Elder Soṇā

“I gave birth to ten children

from this same body.

Then when I was old and feeble,

I approached a bhikkhunī.

She taught me the Dhamma:

the khandhas, elements, and sense domains.

After I listened to her Dhamma,

I cut off my hair and went forth.

From training with her,

my divine eye was purified.

I know my past lives,

where I dwelt previously.

I cultivate objectless meditation

with a well-collected and one-pointed mind.

I was immediately liberated,

quenched because of non-grasping.

The five khandhas are fully understood,

they remain with roots destroyed.

What does it matter that I am decrepit?

There is now no coming back to any state of being.”

The Elder Soṇā