SN 5 · 10 texts · 10 in English
Linked Discourses With Nuns
Bhikkhunīsaṁyutta
The “Linked Discourses with Nuns” contains 10 discourses describing occasions when various nuns retreat to a forest for meditation, only to be challenged by Māra. The verses here partly overlap with the Therīgāthā, though there are some that are unique to this context, and we also have a prose narrative to flesh out the context. Māra’s challenges are various; sometimes he is sexist, alleging that women are weak in wisdom (SN 5.2). Several of these short texts are among the most frequently quoted of all the suttas.
The Chapter on Nuns
Bhikkhunīvagga-
SN 5.1
With ĀḷavikāĀḷavikāsutta
The nun Āḷavikā has entered the Dark Wood seeking seclusion when Māra comes to threaten her, claiming there is no escape and no point in seclusion. She recognizes him instantly and dismisses his taunts, asserting that she is beyond his control.
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SN 5.2
With SomāSomāsutta
When meditating in the Dark Wood, the nun Somā is taunted by Māra, who claims that a mere woman can never see the subtle truth. She rejects him, stating that gender does not matter when one is perceiving deep truths, and telling Māra to go see those still attached to gender.
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SN 5.3
With KisāgotamīKisāgotamīsutta
Māra taunts the nun Kisāgotamī, alleging she is mourning sons and longing for a man. She rejects him, stating that she has no need for men, as she has destroyed the mass of darkness and conquered the army of Death.
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SN 5.4
With VijayāVijayāsutta
Māra comes to the nun Vijayā in the form of a handsome youth and tries to tempt her from her path. But she rejects sensual pleasures, as she delights in subtle meditation and has ended ignorance.
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SN 5.5
With UppalavaṇṇāUppalavaṇṇāsutta
Uppalavaṇṇā is rebuked by Māra, who says a beautiful woman like her should fear rogues when alone in the forest. However, she dismisses such fears, saying she can use her psychic powers to defeat thousands of rogues like him.
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SN 5.6
With CālāCālāsutta
Māra asks the nun Cālā why she disapproves of rebith. She replies that it necessarily entails suffering.
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SN 5.7
With UpacālāUpacālāsutta
Māra asks the nun Upacālā where she wishes to be reborn. But as the world everywhere is burning, she rejects all forms of rebirth.
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SN 5.8
With SīsupacālāSīsupacālāsutta
Māra asks the nun Sīsupacālā whose teaching she believes in. She replies that she rejects the various sectarians and follows the Buddha, as his teachings lead to freedom.
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SN 5.9
With SelāSelāsutta
Māra asks the nun Selā about who has created this “puppet”, i.e. the form that has been reincarnated. She replies that there is no creator, but it arises as a result of conditions, like the growing of a seed in a field.
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SN 5.10
With VajirāVajirāsutta
Māra asks the nun Vajirā about who has created this being. Recognizing him, she points out that the word “being” is nothing more than a convention used to designate the aggregates, just as the word “cart” is used when the parts are assembled.