Verses of the Elder Sīsūpacālā (THIG8.1)

Verses of the Elder Bhikkhunīs

Chapter of the Eights

Verses of the Elder Sīsūpacālā

“I am a bhikkhunī with perfect morality,

with sense faculties well restrained;

I attained the path of peace,

sweet like nectar.”

“You used to dwell amongst the Tāvatiṃsa, Yāmā,

and Tusitā Devas,

the Nimmānarati Devas,

and the Vasavatti Devas.

Aspire the mind towards

where you dwelt formerly.”

“The Tāvatiṃsa, Yāmā,

and Tusitā Devas,

the Nimmānarati Devas,

and the Vasavatti Devas—

time after time, one existence after the other,

their first concern is themselves.

They have not gone beyond selfhood;

they wander between birth and death.

The entire world is ablaze,

the entire world is burning,

the entire world is in flames,

the entire world is shaking.

The unshakable, unmatched Dhamma,

not practiced by ordinary people,

is what the Buddha taught,

and that is what my mind enjoys.

After I heard his words,

I dwelled devoted to the teaching.

I obtained the three knowledges,

and completed the teaching of the Buddha.

In this way all fixation is annihilated,

the mass of darkness destroyed.

Thus be aware, Wicked One,

Death—you are destroyed!”

… The Elder Sīsūpacālā

The Chapter of the Eights is finished.