Cālā (THIG7.2)

Verses of the Senior Nuns 7.2

The Book of the Sevens

Cālā

“As a nun with developed faculties,

having established mindfulness,

I penetrated that peaceful state,

the blissful stilling of conditions.”

“In whose name did you shave your head?

You look like an ascetic,

but you don’t approve any creed.

Why do you wander as if lost?”

“Followers of other creeds

rely on their views.

They don’t understand the Dhamma,

for they’re no experts in the Dhamma.

But there is one born in the Sakyan clan,

the unrivaled Buddha;

he taught me the Dhamma

for going beyond views.

Suffering, suffering’s origin,

suffering’s transcendence,

and the noble eightfold path

that leads to the stilling of suffering.

After hearing his words,

I happily did his bidding.

I’ve attained the three knowledges

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Relishing is banished in every respect,

and the mass of darkness is shattered.

So know this, Wicked One:

you’re beaten, terminator!”